Topic: Test Drive: 2017 Honda HR-V

[AutoTrader.ca]

Depends on the mission.
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[ChaosphereIX]

hate this thing, hate the segment - cant wait until they morph back into hatchbacks, but with AWD options - this seems it is on its way, with its reduced ride height, slopey greenhouse...

and then there is the underpowered engine [imagine how terrible it must be with the CVT and the "should be standard with any CUV" AWD....ugh] that will never get the FE gains advertised, the poor driving position, the crappy looks and infotainment...what was this segment for again?

eh.....there are better baby stroller/shopping carts [CUVs] out there...

and that is the first time in a long while I have seen anyone use the word "dragoon" in a sentence that meant coerce, and not the mounted infantry...well done

[tpl]

Mrs tpl is on her 2nd Fit.    Had to get rid of the 1st one as she can no longer use a manual transmission.  2nd one, a MK II works and is reliable but is let down by the automatic transmission (in our opinion).  She continually complains it feels sluggish. The HRV or a MK III Fit  with its CVT sounds even worse.
The totally good thing about the HRV and Fit  is the clever seat so that she can put her walker in without having to lift it into the hatch...in fact it doesn't fit in the hatch unless the back seats ore down.

Why these people at Honda ( and everyone else including Subaru who go for these damn CVTs) cannot just buy a licence for the VW DSG for their small cars escapes me.   And why can't VW (and everyone else who builds small hatches) buy a licence for the magic seat!




So she probably will not buy another Fit, nor an HRV.

[Rupert]

   Anonymous...yeah, that's the word that stands out. If this was the only UV that looks like this, then it might be a standout but they are beginning to all look similar. To a point that it has become hard to differentiate between them...for me anyway. I suppose that, if you are seriously looking to buy, or have one already, you would notice. It's funny that the Dodge Caravan has become a standout. Maybe it dares to be different from swoop.

   CVTs. certainly have their critics. I test drove a CVT in a Nissan one time and it seemed alright to me but It was only a short drive and was not pushed. I don't know why CVTs. are used more and more...more efficient or cheaper to make...whatever. Anyway, there are things to like here...the fold up rear seat squab...simple instrument layout with larger speedo on center (the easier to see). We get the usual complaints about power and acceleration and yet, at under 10 sec to 100km/, it is just fine I suspect for most folk who probably never do that in their ownership. Sports car performance from not so long ago.

   Having the body incorporate AWD might make passenger space less in these types and noise has been high on the list of things not to want on this forum many times before. I will be looking for one of these dedicated to FWD only...designed for FWD only...better accel would result. Give me space...lots of space relatively, to enjoy in 'quiet'. Otherwise a lot to like here

[EV-Light]

a refresh is on the way for this...rumors out there are saying it will pick up the new 1.5T engine which would significantly improve performance.

[Fobroader]

No awd with a standard, only 140 hp and $30+K....yeah, no.....A Fit or a Civic hatch at least isn't pretending to be something.

[ChaosphereIX]

 

See my crazy rants might not be so crazy after all eh? The trend of this segment is just idiotic.

Buy a damn car.

[Fobroader]

See my crazy rants might not be so crazy after all eh? The trend of this segment is just idiotic.

Buy a damn car.

I get why this segment exists, its for old people that can't get into a Miata anymore.

[tpl]

Rupert. I agree that the 10 seconds 0-60 isn't a problem. It is the express way on ramp at 50 and having to accelerate to 120 to safely merge is the problem. Some of the 401 entries around here are a bit too short for that and the 18 wheelers all hurrying along to to get home or get to the US are not going to give way to a little Fit!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[conwelpic]

I considered on of these (a 2016 HR-V EX FWD) as well as a 2016 CX-3 GS FWD, but bought a 2016 Soul SX instead.

the HR-V had some very good features:
- the "magic" seats
- good size cargo area
- large screen
- good rear passenger room

but many drawbacks
- basic instrument cluster, with a reset button that was something I had on a vehicle back in the 90's and no coolant gauge
- no knobs for the screen
- console too high
- very poor exterior colour choices (only 4 with FWD, 5 if you got AWD)
- weird vent setup on the passengers side, just too big and looked out of place
- a really flimsy cargo cover, that looked more like a sun windshield cover
- the high outside rear door handles
- mediocre styling

the Soul offered:
- 20 hp more, 6-speed auto with manual shift, with better acceleration.
- better quality
- distinctive styling
- 2 years longer warranty
- choice of 9 exterior colours
- much more content:  power folding mirrors, heated steering wheel, leather wrapped steering wheel & shift knob, cooling glove box, leather seats, rear centre armrest, supervision instrument cluster, auto dimming rear-view mirror, glove box light, solar glass, 18" alloys, etc.
- under the hood seemed "cleaner" with self-holding hood props
- OEM accessories are generally cheaper

MSRP for the 2016 HR-V EX FWD - $24,490; for the 2016 Soul SX (including the metallic paint charge) - $24,195.  The HR-V will get better fuel economy than my Soul but as I do not drive a lot its not that big of a deal and I find I generally exceed the official ratings for my type of driving.  So far after 15 months ownership I am pleased with my purchase and so far not a single problem.

[Gurgie]

    

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Already two of these on my street.

[Rupert]

0 to 60 has little to do with getting on highways from ramps. It's 60 to 100 that tells the story here...and putting your foot down.

Hey...my car has similar 0 to 60 figures....and they use them in a Micra cup race series with few engine and transmission mods. Slower than a pushbike in these reports. Just read what the writers on here drive and don't expect too much insight in this regard.

The price is too high for me also and I think I might be in a large sector. 50k might be the new 30k but 30k is not the new 20k and probably never will be. People with money to buy are becoming a lot fewer especially among seniors with low interest rates here....maybe they can ship them to China and reverse the roles.

[dirtyjeffer]

they seem to sell well around here as i've seen plenty on the roads.

[2JDM]

Plenty around the Ottawa as well, driven mostly by women.

My friend is also considering replacing her 2005 Rav4 for this. She loves the looks and size, but she hasn't driven one yet.

[pi314]

If they drive like the fit I can certainly get the appeal.

I'd get a fit or civic hatch though

[ChaosphereIX]

If they drive like the fit I can certainly get the appeal.

I'd get a fit or civic hatch though

thing is according to the article, any fun the Fit had in its driving characteristics has been neutered

[Brig]

This is why I'm driving a naturally-aspirated Mazda with AWD.  No CVT, great interior, and no worries about acceleration, even when merging.  I truly believe that I will be getting my first speeding ticket in over 15 years very soon, thanks to Miss Peanut.  She's a hoot to toss about.

[conwelpic]

some interesting (or not) sales statistics for many models in this segment for April 2017

USA:
Nissan Sport*: n/a (---)
Fiat 500L: 115 (463)
Toyota C-HR: 550 (---)
Fiat 500X* - 758 (1,094)
Nissan Juke*: 986 (1,890)
Mazda CX-3*: 1,147 (1,504)
Kia Niro**: 2,939 (----)
Honda Fit: 4,871 (5,132)
Chev Trax*: 6,509 (4,510)
Honda HR-V*: 8,527 (6,969)
Jeep Renegade*: 8,619 (9,730)
Kia Soul: 9,182 (11,517)

CANADA:
Nissan Qashqai*: n/a
Toyota C-HR: n/a
Fiat 500L: 6 (32)
Fiat 500X*: 132 (124)
Kia Niro**: 218 (–)
Nissan Juke*: 247 (457)
Jeep Renegade*: 253 (480)
Chev Trax*: 487 (954)
Honda Fit: 504 (819)
Mazda CX-3*: 949 (1,054)
Kia Soul: 996 (1,369)
Honda HR-V* - 1,633 (1,135)

*available in AWD **hybrid

[ChaosphereIX]

some interesting (or not) sales statistics for many models in this segment for April 2017

USA:
Nissan Sport*: n/a (---)
Fiat 500L: 115 (463)
Toyota C-HR: 550 (---)
Fiat 500X* - 758 (1,094)
Nissan Juke*: 986 (1,890)
Mazda CX-3*: 1,147 (1,504)
Kia Niro**: 2,939 (----)
Honda Fit: 4,871 (5,132)
Chev Trax*: 6,509 (4,510)
Honda HR-V*: 8,527 (6,969)
Jeep Renegade*: 8,619 (9,730)
Kia Soul: 9,182 (11,517)

CANADA:
Nissan Qashqai*: n/a
Toyota C-HR: n/a
Fiat 500L: 6 (32)
Fiat 500X*: 132 (124)
Kia Niro**: 218 (–)
Nissan Juke*: 247 (457)
Jeep Renegade*: 253 (480)
Chev Trax*: 487 (954)
Honda Fit: 504 (819)
Mazda CX-3*: 949 (1,054)
Kia Soul: 996 (1,369)
Honda HR-V* - 1,633 (1,135)

*available in AWD **hybrid

yep, not interesting 

Renegade would be my pick of the group. Manual, 4x4, turbo you can tune...nice. Brother has one, takes it to the rough stuff. Hunting, hiking, fishing, camping...Loves it.