By Malusi Msomi

We recently headed down to Cape Town to sample the new Honda HR-V. In a market that’s quite competitive, the Honda HR-V has to bring it’s A Game. Honda’s newcomer promises a contemporary design, driver enjoyment and a comprehensive suite of Honda safety technologies to list a few.

Striking looks

We feel like the Honda HR-V is quite deceiving when it comes to its size. In images, it looks big but when you see it in the metal it’s a different story. In terms of size, it’s the same size as its predecessor, however, Honda has managed to increase interior space. The model range consists of just two derivatives: Comfort and Executive. Our chariot was finished in a rather interesting Opal White Pearlescent paint finish. We love the futuristic look even though it is not an electric car. The Executive model comes standard with 18-inch wheels whereas the Comfort model comes with 17-inch wheels.

Improved Interior

The Honda HR-V comes with a very ergonomic interior. Though there’s a generous use of plastics, it is a great place to be in. It comes standard with an 8-inch touch display and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a rear-view camera and wireless charging. Being the top of the range model, it comes with a panoramic sunroof. Honda uses a new feature called “Low-E” glass technology that reduces the intensity of infrared, ultraviolet and solar heat rays entering the cabin by 75%.

The drive

The new HR-V is exclusively available in with a 1.5L DOHC I-VTEC petrol engine which produces 89kW and 145Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT transmission. The 1.5-litre engine is down on power when you compare it to its contenders, but a daily commute wouldn’t be a problem for the HR-V. It’s fairly comfortable but when driving with a bit of urgency the drone from the CVT transmission can be a bit much.

Safety

In terms of safety, the Honda HR-V features Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Automatic Brake Hold (ABH), Hill Descent Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Auto High-Beam (AHB).

Summary

Honda classes the HR-V as an upscale model in their product portfolio in South Africa, and that’s exactly what it is. The HR-V is neatly packaged and looks quite striking. A more comprehensive review will follow after we receive it on test. Pricing for the Honda HR-v is as follows.

Honda HR-V 1.5 Executive CVT R554,500

Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT R469,000