Bringing the third generation with it, the new Honda HR-V will attract a lot of attention, especially in terms of design.
The B segment SUV representative HR-V, which Honda has included in its product range since 1998, transitioned to a new generation with the year 2021 we left behind. The HR-V, which will now be on the road with its third generation in its quarter-century adventure, also contained messages from a completely new design language that Honda would prefer especially in new generations, with its introduction. For this reason, the new Honda HR-V, which we have been waiting for with special interest and curiosity, is entering the Turkish market after its global launch just one year ago. The model, which we had the opportunity to meet as part of a special event, will have no difficulty in showing in the real world after the photographs that it has structural reforms that will make the second generation forget completely.
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The land of squinted eyes; New Honda HR-V design
As part of the event held in Istanbul, he physically said “hello!” As you can imagine, with the new HR-V we call, we made a 90-kilometer mini drive with lots of traffic density. Here, we prefer to focus on the points that will attract your attention when you see them for the first time, without overwhelming you with too much technical data. Before the design of the vehicle, it is useful to briefly mention the dimensional changes that will directly affect this point. We see that the third generation HR-V, which comes with a length of 4,340 millimeters, a width of 1,790 millimeters, a height of 1,582 millimeters and a wheelbase of 2,610 millimeters, has dynamics close to the previous model with these values.
Despite the minor changes on the dimensional side, the radical change in the design of the vehicle creates a feeling that takes the HR-V to a whole new level. In particular, the grille, which is positioned as one piece in the front section, has a very serious effect on making the vehicle look more muscular. Along with this face, which we will see in the electric SUV model that Honda is developing, the change in the rear design of the HR-V is also characteristically different from the entire product range currently on sale. We can also understand the “border crossing” in the design from the “squint-eyed” reactions we see during the crossing between the streets. At this point, many people may need a short time to realize that the HR-V is a Honda car.
New Honda HR-V cockpit elements do not surprise
It will not be surprising for us to hear the phrase “the more different the exterior design, the more standard the interior” in the conversations for the new HR-V. To tell the truth, the different character that the vehicle captures outside is in our minds, “Is it reflected in the cockpit?” brought the question. The interior design scheme of the new HR-V, which we opened with slightly rising expectations, is largely based on similarities with the Jazz. Among the main dynamics that distinguish the Jazz are the split-digital driver display and multimedia display used in the Accord. In this section, only the left side panel comes digitally, while the analog indicator on the right and the road computer panel in the middle are positioned. At this point, it will not be surprising that Honda, which prefers tradition, will bring the digital driver panel in the new Civic to this side in a make-up operation to be carried out in the coming period. In the HR-V, where a gear knob, which we can now describe as traditional, is positioned on the center console, we can’t help but wish it was here. We are among those who think that the gear selector, which now comes in more aesthetic forms as an important factor in the living space, will definitely suit the new generation more.
More spacious living space attracts attention
In the new HR-V, whose vehicle dimensions are similar to the previous generation, the effort of Honda engineers to make the cockpit wider with more effective solutions draws attention. At this point, in addition to the 35 mm increase in rear legroom and an additional two-degree back inclination, Honda’s versatile Magic Seats, which both fold forward and rise depending on the usage needs offered in the previous generation, are also included in the new HR-V. The biggest shortcoming of this width, which can be easily felt when sitting in the back, is a glass roof. This equipment, which visibly increases the quality of life inside, is presented here, even if it is of a kind that cannot be opened, may play a role in carrying the pleasure to a completely different point. Let’s share by the way that in our meetings with Honda executives, we received the information that the glass roof option is not considered in the short term.
The luggage volume of the new generation, on the other hand, is 319 liters with the seats closed, the best ratio. Considering the 470-liter space in the previous generation, this value, which is a significant setback, is mainly due to the fact that the battery brought by the hybrid engine is located at the rear. Honda front gets help from “Magic Seats” to eliminate this disadvantage. Being able to achieve a completely flat loading area with the folding of these seats seems to be an important factor in usability. Before concluding the luggage issue, it is worth noting that the electrical system that we all love is presented. Ease of use is provided with the Electric Tailgate function that closes when away. With the Smart Key function, the trunk lid is closed automatically when it is detected that the key has gone away.
Familiar engine, advanced chassis
The new HR-V comes as standard with the e:HEV hybrid engine combination, which we know from other models of the family. In the HR-V e:HEV, which does not need a plug or charging, two compact electric motors are positioned next to the 1.5-liter gasoline engine. Working on the basis of Atkinson, the 1.5-liter double overhead camshaft i-VTEC gasoline engine is combined with the e-CVT transmission. While the e:HEV system in the new HR-V is optimized to produce 131PS of power and 253Nm of torque, it is also noteworthy that this value comes by producing 22 PS more power than the Jazz. We can say that the fact that the vehicle is over 150 kilograms heavier than the Jazz is an important factor in this increase. In HR-V, the number of cells in the battery is increased by 25 percent, allowing 80 kW more electrical power to be stored compared to the Jazz.
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We can say that the driving character that we know from Jazz, where the limits are pushed in low fuel consumption, can be easily captured here as well. It will be possible to easily catch the 5.4-liter mixed consumption value shared in the HR-V, which mostly moves electrically at low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic in the city. It is possible to reduce this figure even further by pushing the limits in the vehicle, where we have achieved an average consumption of 5.2 liters in our 90-kilometer drive, all of which are in the city and in heavy traffic. In addition to how little can be consumed in this system, “how much more can be consumed?” The question is also a question worth asking in our opinion. With occasional acceleration, we failed to see a figure above 6.6 liters in the on-board computer of the HR-V, which we used in the “Sports” mode. The most basic answer at this point will be the long test data that we will carry out long-distance driving. The fact that the new HR-V can complete 0-100 km / h acceleration in 10.7 seconds with this engine also reveals that there should not be too much expectation from the vehicle in terms of performance.
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Honda engineers have done significant work compared to the previous generation to maximize the driving experience and comfort. It is emphasized that improvements have been made in all basic infrastructure components such as suspension, steering and brakes in HR-V, which is built on a more rigid body structure. We feel that the improvements that leave us a positive feeling in the first sense in our 90-kilometer drive will not cause problems in responding to the reactions more quickly. We will meet again for a detailed test in the upcoming period with the new generation HR-V, which entered Turkey for 650 thousand TL. You can find the detailed hardware features of the vehicle you are curious about from our news.