2019 Honda HR-V

Trends are ever-shifting, especially in today’s day and age. A decade earlier, people would have expressed disgust at the mere thought of a small SUV. They were supposed to be big and burly, with enough power to tow your entire house around. Those were very different times before the oil crunch made the general public more appreciative of smaller, more frugal options. If Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection was applicable to cars, then the Compact SUV segment would be the next step in vehicular evolution.

The 2019 Honda HRV is the product of such times. It is a simple and functional car that doesn’t occupy much real estate wherever it goes. It sips rather than gulps down fuel and keeps the passengers within as comfy as a typical sedan of equivalent value would. At a starting price of 20 thousand dollars, it isn’t too hard on your bank balance too. So, should you go out and splurge money on this little Honda?

The competition is fierce in this segment, as every manufacturer wants a piece of the “commuter segment” pie. Does the HRV retain value in the face of competition?

Honda HRV 2019 model comes with 5 trim options; two new were added over the previous model. The 6-speed manual transmission is gone, which is fine since this was never an enthusiast’s car to begin with. The base variant has a simple CVT transmission, and all other trims get the same with flappy paddle manual mode. Anyone who has used Honda cars before will sing praises for its reliability and dependability.

Trim	LX	Sport	EX	EX-L	Touring
MSRP 2WD	$20,520	$22,220	$23,720	$25,320	-
MSRP AWD	$21,920	$23,620	$25,120	$26,720	$28,540
Key Features	Electric Parking Brake with hill hold	Same as LX	Same as Sport	Same as EX	Same as EX-L
	Projector-Beam Halogen	Honda LaneWatch	Auto-On/Off Headlights	Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel	LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
	CVT with Sport Mode	With Manual Paddle Shifters	One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature	Leather-wrapped gear knob	Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic
	Eco Assist system	Active Noise Cancellation	Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock	Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror	HomeLink Remote System
	Hill Start Assist	Lane Keeping Assist System	Heated, Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators	Leather trim seats	Way power adjustable Driver’s seat
	Security System with Remote Entry	Adaptive Cruise Control	Heated front seats
	Body-Colored, Power Side Mirrors
	Roof Rails

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The Sport trim is better than the base trim and comes at a marginal premium. It gets all the good options, including paddle shifter behind the steering wheel. The All-wheel drive variant won’t be missed if you don’t opt for it, as this is a car strictly meant for the Urban Sprawl.

Honda’s 2018 HR-V subcompact-crossover SUV isn’t fast by any means, but it is fun to drive…...but a few more ponies would be nice.-Kelley Blue Book

Engine and Transmission

Hondas are known for their free revving and exciting engines. The 2019 model features the same engine as the 2018 HRV, and redlines at 6700 rpm, good for the segment, but not good enough for a naturally aspirated Honda. There are 148 horses under the hood, enough for a breezy drive from point A to B. The HRV won’t set your pants on fire, but nobody can argue with the price tag.

The Continuously Variable transmission smoothens your drive and makes for an extremely supple ride. It isn’t lightning fast, and noise and vibrations constantly creep into the cabin. While it isn’t prominent, it could be annoying on longer drives.

Models	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MSRP	$20,520	$20,945	$19,500	$23,200	$20,390	$21,859	21,300	$20,945
Engine	1.8 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Boxer-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4
Transmission	2-speed CVT with Overdrive	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and auto-manual	6-speed automatic with Overdrive and auto-manual	6-speed automatic with Overdrive and auto-manual	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and Manual mode	6-speed manual/7-speed automatic with auto-manual	6-speed automatic	2-speed CVT with Overdrive and Manual mode
Horsepower	141 hp @6500 rpm	144 hp @ 6100 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	148 hp @ 6000 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	148 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	127 lb. ft. @ 4300 rpm	139 lb. ft. @ 3900 rpm	132 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm	148 lb. ft. @ 1850 rpm	146 lb. ft. @ 2800 rpm	145 lb. ft. @ 4000 rpm	148 lb.-ft. @1850 rpm	145 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm

The cars in this segment have the most diverse set of engines, from tiny 1.4 mills to moderate 2-liter ones. Some have turbochargers strapped on, while others breathe naturally. Then there is one boxer in the mix too. If you ever had an engine preference, you would be able to fulfill your wish here.

Hyundai Kona is currently the cheapest car in this segment, at a starting price of 19,500 USD. Buick Encore is the most expensive, starting at a base price of 23,200 dollars. They have a 2 liter naturally aspirated and a 1.4 turbocharged engine respectively. Subaru Crosstrek sports a liter boxer engine, which not only is the most powerful but also sounds the best.

Acceleration

Performance figures for 2019 cars are unavailable right now. As such, we have included the specs from 2018 Honda HRV. For comparison purposes, other cars also sport performance figures for their 2018 models.

The lack of manual gearbox for the 2019 HRV reduces its excitement factor. The CVT automatic is slow, programmed for efficiency and comfort rather than performance.

Models	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
0-60 MPH (sec)	9.3*	11.0	10.0	8.4	8.6	9.0	9.3	8.9
Quarter mile (sec)	16.8*	18.4	17.3	16.2	16.3	16.9	16.8	16.6
Engine	1.8-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	1.4-L I-4	2.0-L I-4	2.0-L H-4	1.4-L I-4	2.0-L I-4
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3*	6.0	5.9	6.3	5.7	7.0	6.3	7.1

Compared to the competition, the little Honda doesn’t feel too slow. Toyota CHR and Hyundai Kona are slower to the 60 MPH mark, while Buick Encore, Mazda CX3, and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are faster. The HRV sits right in the middle, sharing the spot with the Chevy Trax.

Ride and Handling

The little Honda prioritizes comfort over sportiness, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad handler. It isn’t fun, but perfectly functional. For the urban sprawl, this crossover is a great choice. Its tiny dimensions are perfectly suited to tight parking spots. It doesn’t encourage spirited cornering though.

The ride quality is fine, with the suspension sprung neither too stiff nor too soft. There is no scope for dirt at all unless you’re willing to shatter your backbone. Stick to the tarmac, and you shall be greeted with a comfortable ride.

Braking

The HRV gets discs-all-around setup, great for shedding speed. The body too is quite light at 2906 pounds. An educated guess has us speculating the 60-0 stopping distance at just below 130 feet.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Brake Front (in.)	11.5	11.8	11.8	11.8	11	11.6	11.8	11.6
Brake Rear (in.)	11.1	11.1	9.0 (Drum)	10.6	11.1	10.8	9.0	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2906	3300	2890	3237	2809	3113	2805	3,032
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The 2019 cars haven’t been tested for panic braking, so there aren’t any figures to talk about. The only significant fact to mention here would be that currently, the 2019 Kona offers drum brakes at the rear as standard. This is quite disappointing, although final judgment is reserved for after brake testing.

Traditionally speaking, SUVs have never been fuel-efficient. Then again, traditionally speaking, compact cars have been very efficient. Now that the top engineers of the world have decided to combine these two traits together, how does it affect the fuel consumption? 28 MPG in the city, 34 on the highway, guess the compact genes won.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MPG (city)	28	27	27	26	29	23	25	24
MPG (highway)	34	31	33	31	34	29	33	30
MPG (combined)	30	29	30	28	31	26	28	27

The 2019 Crosstrek, with its wonderful boxer-4, is the least frugal car here. Its average economy figure of 26 MPG is the lowest in the segment. The Mazda CX3 is the most efficient here, achieving a class leading 31 MPG combined, followed closely the HRV.

The 2019 Honda HR-V ranks well among subcompact SUVs because it delivers ample passenger and cargo space. It also earns a lot of general praise from critics as a practical daily driver with great fuel economy and an upscale interior quality.-Cars.usnews

Seating and Comfort

Honda CRV used to be one of the most spacious soft-roaders to ever grace American shores. The HRV follows in the same footsteps, with the most spacious front and rear seats in the segment. The segment is composed of not-so-spacious cars though. Tall people in the rear don’t have enough room, and in the front, don’t leave much room.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (cu. ft) Head room	39.5	38.1	39.6	39.6	38.4	39.8	39.6	39.4
Front (cu. ft) Shoulder room	56.8	49	55.5	54.2	53.5	56.7	54.1	56.2
Front (cu. ft) Leg room	41.2	43.5	41.5	40.8	41.7	43.1	40.8	41.6
Rear (cu. ft) Head room	38.3	38.3	37.8	38.8	37.2	38	38.8	37.9
Rear (cu. ft) Shoulder room	54.5	52.5	54.5	52.5	50.4	55.6	52.8	55.5
Rear (cu. ft) Leg room	39.3	31.7	34.6	35.8	35	36.5	35.7	36.3

When compared to its competitors, the Honda doesn’t seem too small though. While none of the cars here have a spacious rear cabin, Toyota’s CH R is horribly cramped around the rear leg area. The HR V comfortably takes the lead here, with class-leading shoulder and legroom for its passengers.

Infotainment System

The Infotainment unit on the HR-V offers a 5-inch LCD Screen as standard. Other standard features include:

• Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio
• USB Audio Interface
• Remote Entry

Apple CarPlay is available in all variants except the Base (LX) trim, along with a touchscreen.

Cargo volume

The biggest advantage of purchasing an SUV is the magnificent trunk space that comes along with it. Anyone who has ever used Honda HRV will attest to the fact that this car simply gobbles up your luggage. It would shame most sedans in the market, and hold the top spot in the segment.

The rear seats can fold traditionally with a 60:40 split for bulky luggage. Apart from that, you can also fold the seats upwards to use the under-seat area as well. As such you can fit taller cargo in the rear cabin and use the trunk for other luggage. Simple details like this add practicality poinbut a few more ponies would be nice.ts to the score.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	24.3	19	19.2	18.8	12.4	20.8	18.7	21.7
Cargo Volume with Rear seats folded (ft.3)	58.8	36.4	45.8	48.4	44.5	55.3	48.4	49.5

The Outlander Sport holds the second place when it comes to trunk volume. If you fold the seats, then the Crosstrek inches ahead to steal the second spot. The American contenders, i.e., the Buick and the Chevy, have smallest trunks in the segment. Thankfully, they gain a lot more space with the rear seats folded.

The HR-V’s new front end, previewed earlier this year by its Japan-market cousin, the Vezel, seems to mirror that of the Civic and the CR-V, with a more prominent chrome grille insert and LED headlamps, at least on the model shown in the initial photos provided by Honda.-Car and driver

Dimensions and weight

On the exterior front, the Honda HR V wheels in at just over 170 inches. The wheelbase is just under 103 inches, which when combined with the high roof, liberate plenty of space inside. At 2900 pounds, the HR V is the lightest in the segment, which helps with handling as well as efficiency.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Curb weight (lbs.)	2906	3300	2890	3237	2809	3157	2805	3,032
Length(in)	170.4	171.2	164.0	168.4	168.3	175.8	167.2	171.9
Width(in)	69.8	70.7	70.9	70.1	69.6	71	69.9	71.3
Height(in)	63.2	61.6	61	65.2	60.7	63.6	64.9	64.8
Ground clearance (in)	5.4	5.9	6.7	6.2	6.1	8.7	6.2	8.5
Wheelbase (in)	102.8	103.9	102.4	100.6	101.2	104.9	100.6	105.1
Track width (in) F/R	60.4/60.6	60.6/60.6	60.62/60.62	60/59.5	61/61.2	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6

The Crosstrek Subaru has the most length, width, and height, giving it a very commanding stance. It also has the highest ground clearance, and it loves to take the beaten path. On the other side of the segment is the Kona. This little Hyundai is only 164 inches long, smaller than a few hatchbacks!

Design and styling

On the styling front, HRV doesn’t push any boundaries. The front grille is very reminiscent of the smaller Honda Fit, as are the headlights. The tail design has a slight hint of funk, with flowing lines on the trunk lid merging with the taillamps. The C-Pillars are thick, and integrate the rear door handles into their design. This leaves the rear doors clean and smooth and gives the car a Faux-2-door look.

Standard safety features in the 2019 HR-V include:

• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag
• Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control

Honda HR-V vs Chevrolet Trax

With an efficient powertrain together with spacious interior and large boot space, the HR-V is otherwise a tad similar to the Chevrolet Trax. But driving dynamics are better in the Japanese SUV and so are the features available in the base model. Priced similarly, the competition is stiff, however, due to Honda’s practicality, it sweeps the Chevy away.

Honda HR-V vs Toyota C-HR

Both these cars are offered by two of the biggest Japanese Auto giants, and both these cars are the finest in the segment. The Toyota, however, has a very peculiar exterior design, one which is highly subjective. If you like the looks of the CHR, then you can go for it. The Honda would still be our pick though.

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3

Another Japanese car shootout, both these cars are neck to neck in all the significant criteria, such as price, power output, and even fuel efficiency. The Mazda is a better performer though, while the Honda has an unmatched amount of space in the cabin. While the CX3 is unmistakably fun, the HRV is too. Overall, the HR-V is a better all-rounder here.

Save for the performance, the CR-V aces all the necessary criteria for buyers of these cars. You can easily fit in 5 adults in relative comfort, and arguably better than you can in some premium sedans. It also has a better road presence than a sedan, along with better visibility as well. The final verdict is a no-brainer; go buy!