Her + His Car Reviews
2016 Honda HR-V 5DR AWD EX-L
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $26,720 | Base price ranges between $19,115 to $25,840. Our all wheel drive Navi model topped out at $26,720. |
| Performance | |
| Very nice and easy to handle; quite enjoyed the ride. Based on the Fit subcompact, the HR-V has 141 horsepower four-cylinder engine that provides adequate pickup, as one would expect. The All Wheel Drive is a value-added feature on this model giving stability and power when needed. | There is only one engine provided for this little SUV-an 1.8 liter 141horsepower four cylinder, and it is backed by either a six speed manual or an automatic CVT transmission. Both front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions are offered. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 27 miles in city and 32 miles highway for an overall of 29 mpg. Tops in the compact SUV category, no competitor can reign gas mileage quite as high as the CR-V. | The HR-V is rated at 27 city and 32 miles highway per gallon--pretty good, I'd say, considering we are talking about an SUV, no matter how small it may be. Annual fuel cost is $1,550, and you can save $1,250 in fuel costs over five years compared with other new vehicles. |
| The Car | |
| We are pleased with the new "HR-V or Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle" 2016 addition from Honda that gives the SUV consumer an alternative at the entry level price point of around $22K. Seats aren't as comfortable, and there is no lumbar support system for the long haul. However, this model gets a thumbs up for being cargo friendly - more on that later.
Visibility in the back is good on this model. Click to see video of one of our all-time favorite features LANEWATCH - don't know how long Honda has the patent for it, but we think it should be mandatory on all US models, regardless of the maker. It heightens driver awareness and visibility on the right hand side of the vehicle. In urban settings it makes a huge difference with pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, and assists while parallel parking. Cup holders in the front don't allow for cups with a handle - so if your going to Starbucks, fantastic; but if you are bringing your classic Vacuum insulated 16-ounce stainless steel mug with a side handle from home, forget about it... awkward. For previous Honda owners, the steering wheel directives are in the same position so very intuitive and friendly. The Navigation system is self explanative. Heat, Sound volume and Seat warmers are easy to find. Dials are bright and clear. It's spacious and seat configuration is easy to maneuver for flexible, to support lots of travel gear. The HR-V feels spacious up front. Though smaller than the CR-V - and about 300 pounds lighter, this model is packed with technology and precise handling. The noise in the front cabin was a tad louder than the very quiet CR-V model. And, it has 70 cubic feet of luggage pace - as the seats easily fold down to optimize loading and packing space. This CUV tows up to 1500 pounds so its got some girth and power to it. |
This is one cool little SUV, with styling that features a rather dramatic kick-up character line that gives some interest to the car's styling profile. It looks particularly suave in a dark color--our test model was black with black leather and truly looked upscale to us. It handled quite well, which is what you would expect from Honda. the star of the HR-V party is the phenomenally flexible roomy back seat it can be flipped up, folded down flat, and used in countless ways. The HR-V is based on the Fit platform and the so-called Magic Seat has sold many a Fit for Honda. Another terrific feature is an auto-brake holder that can automatically keep the brake at a long stop light--the feature goes away when you touch the accelerator. Honda says that all that interior flexibility means that the little HR-V can tote up to 58.8 cubic feet of items. And those items can be up to eight feet long or four feet tall. Clearly the HR-V has an awful lot going for it. But be aware that the HR-V is extremely popular, and it will be difficult to find one because almost all of them that are on dealers' lots are spoken for. Of course that means you likely will have to pay full sticker for it if you truly want it. If you walk away from it because you can't find a bargain, Honda will probably have plenty more people willing to pay full sticker. |
| Safety | |
| Lots going on in this new vehicle... lots of Airbags on Passenger and Driver side, Anti-Lock Brakes, Brake Assist, The Lane Watch (see video above) is by far one of the best new features, ACE Body Structure adds integrity to vehicle, Side Impact Door Beams, LATCH, Honda Roadside Assistance, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Hill Assist. | First, we absolutely loved the Honda LaneWatch system, which clearly shows what traffic is doing on the right passenger side of the car, which enhances safety greatly. And the pictures with the system are the clearest we've seen on any car recently. Hill Start Assist is another terrific feature. Other safety features include a wide variety of air bags, a vehicle stability assist system, and many other items. |
| Technology | |
| Tech Savvy this model is. Wow! Starting off with Leather trim on our EX-L model includes the warmth of the seats. Also leather wrapped steering - by the way, love the size of the adjustable steering wheel, good grip, good sized, well in hand. 7" Display to show Honda's satellite-linked NAVIGATION, Voice Recognition and Multi-View Rear Camera. XM Satellite, HD Radio and Traffic. AM/FM/CD - all Touch Screen. Bluetooth Audio and Hands Free-link HondaLink with Smartphone Applications allows you to connect with calls and not take your hands from the steering wheel. The SMS text messaging feature provides the ability to receive text messages and have them be read out loud. Pandora internet Radio Interface.
All Wheel Driver, Push-button Start, Smart Entry System, Lane Watch, Moonroof All Season Tires with 17" Alloy wheels, Roof Rails, Intermittent windshield wipers, Map Lights, Cargo Area Light, and more. |
The 2016 Honda HR-V subcompact crossover seats five and comes in three trim levels: LX, EX and EX-L Navi. The LX starts off with 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a configurable 60/40-split folding rear seat (Magic Seat), a 5-inch display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port.
Opt for the EX and you'll enjoy a sunroof, rear privacy glass, fog lights, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a passenger-side blind spot camera (Honda's LaneWatch), a 7-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker sound system (with an additional USB port) and HondaLink. If you get EX-L Navi, you will have standard features like roof rails, leather upholstery, a navigation system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and satellite and HD radio. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Taking a direct page out of ever popular CR-V, this is a most attractive, just slightly downsized model. Clean lined, attractive grill, everything is r-e-a-c-h-a-b-l-e! Attractive car in style, design and ergonomics. Integrated handles in the back door is a nice design. Unlike some of its competitors, the 2015 HR-V does come with a temporary spare tire. | As mentioned earlier, a really good looking vehicle. It just looks classy. Proportions are right on the money, with an aggressive front end design and side profile. The interior is nicely done and materials are pretty nice, but the side door pockets are virtually useless they are so small, and the plugin outlets for your phone and other gear are located very awkwardly. You have to reach way down under the top portion of the console to get them. And the storage space in the console is tiny indeed. |
| Warranty | |
| 3 year/36,000 Roadside Assistance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. | Three years, 36,000 miles. |
