COMPACT SUV GOES ALL IN FOR EFFICIENCY

HONDA HR-V

- CAMERON KIRBY

Model Honda e:HEV L

Engine 1498cc 4cyl, dohc, 16V + hybrid

Max power 96kW @ 4000-8000rpm

Max torque 253Nm @ 3500rpm

Transmission CVT

Weight 1382kg

0-100km/h 9.8sec (claimed)

Economy 4.3L/100km

Price $45,000 (drive-away)

On sale Now

HONDA’S HR-V is just one of two SUVs in the brand’s line-up at this point (though that should change in the near future), meaning it has to do plenty of heavy lifting in terms of sales. When faced with refined and impressive competition such as the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos and Toyota C-HR, that’s no small task.

From our first impressions of the new HR-V, Honda is able to stand tall against those popular rivals with a car that provides practical solutions to consumers along with a genuine step up in fit and finish compared to the outgoing model.

Making up the new HR-V range are just two variants. The non-hybrid Vi X at $36,700, and the e:HEV L for $45,000, both drive-away figures. It’s the latter – with its jumbled badging and hybrid powertrain – that we have driven.

Previously the HR-V had a four-model line-up, starting with the base VTi model grade with a $31,300 price tag, walking all the way to the rangetopping $41,000 drive-away VTI-LX. This means both the price of entry and ultimate flagship cost have risen.