Driven: 2020 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V nameplate has been around for quite some time, with its first model being launched all the way back in 1999. There is no doubt that the Japanese brand can certainly pull its weight in the SUV segment. Of course, the Honda HR-V has come a long way from its humble beginnings and the latest model has certainly reflected that. It’s no secret that the SUV segment has become highly competitive lately and it will be good to see how the new HR-V will perform.
Under the hood
The HR-V comes with a 1.8-litre normally aspirated petrol engine. The vehicles deliver a modest 105kW of power with 172 Nm of torque and comes fitted with Honda’s CVT gearbox (Continuously Variable Transmission). On the road, the HR-V makes a relatively smooth drive, with some whining from the CVT.
Modern exterior
The HR-V has come a long way in terms of exterior design. Now, it doesn’t sit on top of the ladder in terms of looks but it certainly isn’t the worst either. The HR-V does manage to maintain a coupé style. In the front, it gets a nice modern solid wing face design, which certainly helps modernize the HR-V. One of the nicest exterior features on the HR-V must be it swept-back LED headlamps and LED daytime running lamps which look quite nice on the road. In terms of wheels, the HR-V embraces 17-inch alloy wheels.
Spacious interior
The inside of the HR-V does prove to be quite spacious but there are signs of age. None the less it is quite comfortable and does feature a fair number of modern features. The HR-V comes a multi-functional steering wheel, a Display Audio infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. The 7.0-inch touchscreen does come standard, but not as user friendly as we would have hoped. The Bluetooth does connect easily with no issues and the USB port certainly comes in handy for long road trips an extra port would have been nice for passengers.
Verdict
Overall, the Honda HR-V is comfortable and overall drives well. The Honda HR-V is a compact SUV that delivers quite well, perhaps a dark horse in the SUV range. This isn’t to say that it isn’t popular but with the SUV market growing as rapidly as it is now, can Honda still compete. Although the HR-V is modernized in its own way with pricing starting from R445 700, it certainly isn't cheap.
