It's
those not so little specification details and technological advances
that make 2016 Honda HR-V an exceptional subcompact crossover value. Honda
states that there's nothing else quite like it on the market today. Looking to
the competition we agree! Honda tells us that HR-V will be available nationwide
beginning the week of May 15.
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| Honda HR-V |
Granted, while we do find exceptional
standard tech and active safety feature value in this Fit platformed CUV, it's
those little things that you don't see when viewing 2016 Honda HR-V that truly
make Honda's newest crossover an exciting breakthrough in automotive
development.
Affordable, cutting edge design
elements
In the case of HR-V, we discover
measurable tech and active safety value engineered into this Fit platformed
CUV, and arguably, with an MSRP($19,115 to $ 25,840) shadowing Honda CR-V and
Fit, this sub compact crossover is an exceptional purchase or lease value.
After experiencing HR-V first hand, we'd be hard pressed to find a greater
automotive value on the market today. And then there's that coupe-like driving
environment.
Sometimes less is more, but you have
to look for it
While attending Honda's Miami press
reveil, we put on the night vision goggles, made our way up to the exhibit
platform and did just a bit of clandestine research. Interested in the
suspension underpinnings, and mechanical inner workings of this sub-compact
Real Time ' all-wheel-drive CUV, we inched our way under HR-V to spend some
quality time with one of Honda's newest breakthrough developments.
It's that inner automotive engineer
that comes out in most if not all auto-obsessed. looking under the hood of HR-V
we discovered a vast engine room of unusual proportion and access. Much larger
than required to house the Civic derived 1.8 Liter i-VTEC 4 cylinder and
battery casing. On further review, we found relatively heavy suspension
components and what appeared to be an active, or at the least isolated front
engine mount with adjusters.
What was Honda up to, and how did
they build a dimensionally larger than Fit CUV on the Fit 'World Platform'?
Would there be a future HR-V Sport Turbo or Hybrid down the road?
Less dead weight, less frame weight,
less bounce per mile + exceptional ride, quiet and stability
Looking to HR-V specifications: Honda
utilizes Advanced Compatibility Engineering(ACE ') body structure, to ensure
high rigidity, greater crash test passenger gage integrity, and lighter overall
vehicle weight through the use (27%) of advanced ultra-light steel.
Furthermore, Honda engineering has measurably reduced wheel hop and road
vibration transfer to the cabin; through the utilization of cast alloy wheel,
braking and suspension components; resulting in a much larger feeling vehicle
ride experience. Read our latest HR-V
review here.
Amplitude reactive dampers
Fancy jargon for dual stage shock
absorbing? perhaps. We've experienced
this technology throughout the Honda and Acura lineup and can't say enough good
things about it. Especially effective in Honda and Acura Divisions subcompact
and compact lineup. Amplitude reactive dampers ensure less! Less bounce per
mile than a comparably priced and equipped CUV, providing more! More comfort, more quiet and greater road
handling.
Fabric molded belly pan
Taking a look under 2016 HR-V crossover,
we discover the first production fabric/ fiber molded belly pan, found on a
Honda product anyway. According to Japan
Honda R&D, its sole purpose is sound deadening. They claim it to be placed
over the undercarriage of HR-V to reduce road noise transference to the cabin.
We don't know what it's made off, and
Honda's not telling. We further believe that the 'sound blanket' most likely
contributes to the aerodynamic down force and subsequent road stability of HR-V
without substantially increasing vehicle weight. Again, less is more when it
comes to Honda's latest crossover/SUV offering.
Exceptional power to weight ratio,
and best fuel economy rating in the segment
With a stated 140 horsepower and 127
ft-lbs torque propelling nearly 3,000 lbs down the road, 2016 HR-V may hold a
handful of sport-like-tendencies. But, by any measure, HR-V in its current trim
is not a 'hot hatch!' However, when behind the wheel of HR-V, of any trim
variant and transmission specification, we do discover more than acceptable acceleration
coming for HR-V via Honda's iconic high revving 1.8 Liter fuel injected 1-VTEC
4 cylinder gasoline engine.
Honda's kept the purchase
considerations to a minimum with a 1 engine, 2 transmission option, and most
active and passive safety features standard across the 3 variant lineup. Real
Time ' all-wheel-drive is only available with the constant velocity
transmission.(CVT) And, you won't find steering wheel dynamic paddle shifting
options for this first year run HR-V. For those buyers opting for front wheel
drive(FWD) a 6 speed close ratio manual transmission option is available.
We found 2016 HR-V to drive perhaps a
bit more light truck-like than its platform sharing cousin Fit. With a greater
horsepower and torque output than Fit, coupe-like interior environs, 17 inch
alloy wheels, and well balanced progressive body styling and flair, We predict
that HR-V will be a bestseller for Honda, as well as a fun to drive, high tech,
mechanically reliable subcompact crossover value for the buyer. The icing on
the cake that is HR-V is a combined fuel economy rating exceeding 30 mpg,
comfortable seating for 5 adults, and the utility of a flat deck, or tall
object carrying capability thanks to Honda's 40/60 'Magic Seat'
configurability. All for about the price of a fully optioned Honda Civic EX.
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