Honda HR-V: Our likes and dislikes

Honda HR-V: Our likes and dislikes
Contents

The Honda HR-V has captured the audience's attention and how. If we can take the liberty of stealing a line from Honda’s own WR-V, this HR-V can easily be called a Wow Vehicle. It not only is of the right proportions but more importantly offers the versatility of the Jazz, something which is appreciated world over. The price is also just right and we believe the Honda HR-V is set to be one of the hottest selling Honda cars in Malaysia. In our review, we did mention on what all Honda could have done better with the HR-V and things we think are just right for this segment and as an extension, the vehicle too.

Honda HR-V Exterior

So, here is a recap in a nutshell of what we like about the new Honda HR-V and things we actually loathe.

First up, the things we like

Design

Come on! The Honda HR-V looks super cool. Especially in this second-generation. The all-LED lights for the front and rear, that bold face, the 17-inch alloys, and all these things make it a very impressive looking car. Get hold of the Mugen trims and you will definitely like the way your HR-V stands out from the crowd. The coupe assigned to the rear is intentional and lends it with more of a standing amongst the sea of straight standing crossovers.

Cabin space

Honda HR-V boot space

A salient selling point of all the Honda vehicles is that irrespective of the footprint, they all have good cabin space. The Jazz, Accord, Brio, Mobilio, and now the HR-V are all examples of this. The quality of the cabin will not make you go wow but it's not cringe-worthy either. There is a new fabric for the upholstery, multiple cup holders (overall seven), magic seats from the Jazz that split and fold in multiple combinations to provide for a flat floor for cargo.

Safety features

Honda is usually known to be not-so-generous amidst bundling up their vehicles with kit. The Honda HR-V, however, is an exception. It gets six airbags, ABS along with EBD, ISOFIX mounts on the rear seats, Hill Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, Auto Brake Hold, and a multi-angle rearview camera with parking sensors at the back. All these are part of the standard fare. So, whichever variant of the HR-V you choose, safety is a priority here. It also helps that the front seats have height adjustable belts as well.

Honda HR-V safety

Ironically, we will be revisiting this section in the things we don’t like section too.

Warranty and price

The HR-V comes with a massive five years/unlimited kilometres warranty. What more, labour charges are waived off for regular services during this five year period. Honda’s engine, as well as other mechanical parts, are known to be durable. The experience of few of the previous-gen vehicle owners also confirmed that it is only after a few years from purchase that you actually need to replace one part or the other. That’s a good thing and will give a peace of mind to those looking to own this crossover. The price also plays an important part in this and the RM 92,545 starting point is too good.

Things we don’t like about the HR-V

Why no seven-seat option?

Honda cheekily offers us with the five-seater version here in Malaysia. However, elsewhere, the Honda HR-V gets a seven-seater option. If they were to offer it here, then the landscape will change. It will compete with much more expensive vehicles and still come on top. That then is a miss for our market.

Honda HR-V engine

Transmission

Honda should offer a 6-speed manual with that 142 PS and 172 Nm 1.8-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine. This way the enthusiasts derive the maximum from this high-revving motor. Imagine doing redline shifts with this one. The engine is reasonably efficient and hence there will also be no worry about refuelling early than destined. The CVT is okay but then a manual would have worked wonders. Especially given that Honda thinks that the HR-V is a sporty vehicle and sporty as well as manuals can be taken in the same breath. More so than sporty and CVT.

Ride and handling

The HR-V is set up stiff to enhance its handling characteristics. However, it seems that the vehicle doesn’t quite achieve what it set out to do. The car rolls if one is too enthusiastic around a corner. It has good straight-line stability but then the corners matter, don’t they? If you thought that the ride quality is sorted then you’re mistaken again. The Honda HR-V doesn’t take the larger potholes as kindly as it should. It crashes over them and one can hear the sound inside the cabin too.

Honda HR-V cabin

Safety

Remember we said this section will be revisited? This is because, outside, Honda offers various safety aids and radar-based guides with the HR-V. These include Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning. Phew! These don’t add to the cost significantly too. Why the discrimination then, Honda?

With this, we come to an end of our story. Stay tuned with Zigwheels to read more such in-depth automobile stories. 

Zigwheels MY Team

Zigwheels MY Team

The Zigwheels community offers auto enthusiasts a friendly home where they can read exciting featured stories, advisory stories and the latest news from Malaysia as well as other corners of the world. It is a rich automotive platform with advanced research tools that brings to you an experience like never before. The site covers entire automotive space be it cars or motorcycles by providing a platform to read news and reviews, watch videos, know specification and latest promotions, compare cars, locate the nearest dealer, share and get feedback, and explore a world full of these mean machines.

Read Full Bio

Sell your car at the best price

Verified and genuine buyers Verified and genuine buyers
Free listing Free listing
List your car

Honda Car Models

  • Honda City
    Honda City
  • Honda HR-V
    Honda HR-V
  • Honda City Hatchback
    Honda City Hatchback
  • Honda CR-V
    Honda CR-V
  • Honda Civic
    Honda Civic
  • Honda WR-V
    Honda WR-V
  • Honda Civic Type R
    Honda Civic Type R
  • Honda CR-V (2018-2023)
    Honda CR-V (2018-2023)
Honda Cars Price

You might also be interested in

  • News
  • Featured Stories
  • Upcoming
  • Honda BR-V 2024
    Honda BR-V 2024
    RM 105,000 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Nov, 2024 Alert Me When Launched

Compare & Recommended

Honda HR-V
Honda HR-V
RM 115,900 - 141,900
Honda HR-V Price
Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota Corolla Cross
RM 130,900 - 146,000
Corolla Cross Price
Toyota Rush
Toyota Rush
RM 93,000 - 97,000
Rush Price
Nissan X-Trail hev
Nissan X-Trail
RM 138,888 - 163,888
X-Trail Price
Citroen C3 Aircross
Seating Capacity 5
5
7
7
5
Engine 1498
1798
1496
1997
1199
Power 119
137
104
142
110
Transmission Type CVT
CVT
Automatic
CVT
Automatic
Compare Now

Trending SUV

  • Upcoming
  • Proton e.MAS 7
    Proton e.MAS 7
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Toyota Yaris Cross
    Toyota Yaris Cross
    RM 130,400 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Nov, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV
    Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Kia EV3
    Kia EV3
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV
    Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • JAECOO J6
    JAECOO J6
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
Upcoming SUV Cars

Compare

You can add 3 variants maximum*