To say the Honda Civic has enjoyed cult status for years is a no-brainer. Many a Civic loyalist has taken pride in stretching the economical little coupe from a starter car into their 30s when, bursting with hockey sticks, strollers, car-seat bases and the inevitable accoutrements that accompany the onset of family life, the sporty relics are surrendered – grudgingly (perhaps even tearfully).
Well, Civic Nation, take heart. This
summer marks the arrival of Honda’s solution to your problem: The
all-new HR-V “subcompact crossover” will be rolled out across the
country. Designed specifically as a solution for coupe-loving drivers
whose lives are pushing the limits of their vehicles – but who aren’t
ready for the upgrade to a full-scale SUV – the 2016 HR-V aims to
deliver the pleasure wrought by bombing around in a sporty coupe
combined with the utility of, well, a utility vehicle. Honda has wrapped
this pursuit in a beautifully designed, not-too-big-not-too-blah
package that will undoubtedly turn heads. With a wide, strong stance and
a meaty but aerodynamic grill, the HR-V demands attention in the way
that coupe diehards like to get it.
In
what is perhaps the most blatant sign of the design team’s commitment to
hitting coupe lovers’ sweet spots, the HR-V bears concealed rear door
handles that are tucked neatly into the rear window panes. While the
handles are a bit wonky to get used to – and to manoeuvre with arms full
of groceries – the HR-V’s designers get points for even considering
that four conventional door handles might jar prospective drivers who
equate sportiness with two doors.
Honda
also deserves kudos for the utility it has managed to wring out of this
model. The HR-V’s strongest selling point, its five-seat capacity, has
five set-up modes designed to accommodate the flotsam of real life. Want
to lug home a small tree? No problem. The rear seats flip backward into
the trunk to allow access to flat floor space. You need to transport a
surf board? The HR-V can handle it (inside the car), too.
This
newcomer is also loaded up with much of the technology drivers have
come to expect, including double smartphone plugs in the front console,
an excellent rear backup camera and lane assist. While it misses on
small details such as power seats and automatic rear gate lift
(presumably to keep sticker prices down), it delivers on the road. Above
all, the HR-V is a pleasure to drive. It has a higher driving position
than a coupe, but fittingly so. The only caution worth issuing concerns
the six-speed manual model: while stick shifts often make smaller
vehicles more fun to drive, the opposite is true here. The HR-V’s manual
transmission was cumbersome and made the vehicle’s quality seem cheap.
Buyers ought to trade up for the automatic CVT – and prepare to see a
slew of fellow HR-V drivers out on the road.
You’ll like this car if ... You’re bursting at the seams in your two-door coupe but can’t envision upsizing to something too big, high or SUV-esque.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $20,690; as tested: $29,990
- Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder
- Transmission/drive: CVT (four-wheel and two-wheel drive) or six-speed manual (two-wheel drive)
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 2WD CVT: 8.3 city, 6.7 litres highway; 2WD manual: 9.3 city, 7.0 highway; 4WD CVT: 8.8 city, 7.2 highway
- Alternatives: Fiat 500X, Mazda CX-5, KIA Rondo, Nissan Juke
RATINGS
- Looks: This crossover emanates strength and agility with a wide front end, stance and sleek, powerful lines that hint at the vehicle’s target sweet spot: that magical place where sporty and functional align.
- Interior: The cabin is modern and minimal with black and stainless accents. While the front seat is comfortable for two, three adults would be sardined in the back.
- Performance: While the 4WD CVT model was sporty, peppy and never felt underpowered, the six-speed manual was the opposite.
- Technology: The HR-V is jammed with technology, including a multiview rear camera, a lane-assist camera mounted to the passenger mirror, a smart-touch dashboard display, heated front seats and two USB ports for smartphones. Missing, though, are a slew of power functions such as power seats, power tail lift and a regular old volume dial.
- Cargo: Storage is the HR-V’s strong suit. Designed with a mind to making the interior as functional as possible.
The Verdict
9.0
Honda
set out to make a big impact with this little can-do crossover and its
neat combination of utility, efficiency and sporty good looks makes it a
great buy.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not
subject to approval.
Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/reviews/new-cars/review-2016-honda-hr-v-is-a-solution-to-the-bursting-civic/article24168014/#
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