Honda HR-V 1.8 Elegance Test review

Honda cars may have had a reputation for being very conservative, but that does not seem to apply to the latest generation of SUV's and crossovers from the brand. Luckily they have also retained their well earned reputation for quality and reliability.
The HR-V is their entrant in the small SUV/ crossover segment and was recently facelifted and refreshed in the SA market.
Our test car was the range topping 1.8L petrol version in Elegance spec, the 4 cylinder petrol engine giving 105kW and 172Nm, perfectly adequate for the market segment.
The HR-V is smart looking with the typical Honda family face and plenty of space in the rear for family duty with a large boot as well.
Elegance level means that the car is very well equipped with leather trim, climate control and 6 airbags. The centre infotainment screen looks a bit small and previous generation, but works very well, has a reversing camera but no standard navigation.
As with all models in the Honda range, the HR-V is fitted with a CVT transmission. Although certainly highly efficient, it felt more suited to city driving than long journeys. On the plus side, overall fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km for the test period is an excellent result.
Overall, the quality of the vehicle and fit and finish are of the high standard that you would expect from Honda.
The model is currently priced at R436 900 including a 4 year/ 60 000km service plan.
As a footnote......I will be driving this model in the Wesbank Fuel Economy Tour in November, so will really be able to test it over some 2500km in 5 days.
#Honda
#HondaSouthAfrica
#HondaHRV
#CrossoverSUV

[@CandyGirl44]

We were on the verge of buying one, but found out it still has the horrible infotainment centre we hated when it first came out - unbelievable!

[@MotorMatters]

I've seen reports that there is a new version due next year.