Honda HR-V: Reasons to buy

The Honda HR-V has been giving a good competition to its rivals ever since it came to the Malaysian market. Just like any other segment in the automobile industry, the crossover segment is quite heated up considering the number of vehicles now available. While the increasing number of vehicles does provide consumers with various options, it also makes it harder for them to pick the right car. So, here are a few reasons to buy the latest model of the Honda HR-V.

Distinctive style

The new facelifted Honda HR-V has been given a few noticeable changes. The front end features an even broader chrome slat that houses the brand logo. Honda has garnished it with black for the RS variant. It really looks sporty and stylish. The design and shape of the headlights remain as striking as before but they are now full LEDs. Honda has also incorporated a newly designed bumper that features LED fog lamps.

The rear of the new HR-V carries a sleek chrome strip on the boot lid that joins the two-piece combination tail lights. There is also a roof-mounted spoiler and a stylish rear bumper. The sporty look of the HR-V is nicely carried at the rear as well.

To keep things sporty even from the side, Honda decided to relocate the door handles from their conventional position to near the C-pillar. This gives an impression of a 2-door car.

Comfortable and sporty interior

Honda has gone ahead with the all-black treatment for the cabin of the HR-V. Like always, this scheme brings in a sportier feel to the interior. The dashboard is also neatly designed with the use of piano black finish around the 7-inch display and the centre console. The steering wheel has got a few buttons for audio and cruise control. The meter console here is simple but it offers 7 different colors for ambient lighting.

The seats in the Honda HR-V offers a good amount of support and comfort. There is ample space for the occupants of the front seats. The rear passengers have also got generous knee and legroom but the sloping roofline restricts the headroom.

Luggage space

The boot capacity of the Honda HR-V, if not the largest, is definitely one of the biggest available in any vehicle of this segment. The capacity can further be increased by folding down the rear row of seats as per your luggage. There is also quite large underfloor storage area in the boot. Honda has also introduced what it calls as Magic Seats. This allows you to fold up the rear seats creating a large space for storing more luggage.

Engine

The HR-V engine is a 1.8-litre i-VTEC SOHC unit that has been tuned to produce 142 PS of max power at 6,500 revs. It generates a peak torque of 172 Nm at 4,300 revs. The engine is quite refined and smooth in operation. Honda has mated this engine with a CVT which promises to help in delivering an optimal combination of performance and fuel efficiency. We would have liked the HR-V more if Honda provided a manual transmission as optional.

Safety features

Honda HR-V has received a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating for Adult Occupant Protection. This itself is a sign of relief for the customers. The new HR-V comes with 6 airbags as standard across all the variants, a multi-angle rearview camera, emergency stop signal, hill start assist, vehicle stability assist, etc. for the added safety of the passengers. Honda has also included its LaneWatch blind spot camera in the latest model. It is basically a blind spot detection system.

The Honda HR-V price starts from RM 92,545 for the base model. Considering the price range, we would say that the Honda HR-V specs are pretty good and overall the car offers a good package for the money. Honda has unveiled the facelifted model of the car which brings more features to the table. It is expected to hit the showrooms pretty soon. Also, the Honda HR-V color options get a new 'Passion Red Pearl' paint along with the old options - White Orchid Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Dark Ruby Red Pearl, and Ruse Black Metallic.