2016 Honda HR-V
Say Hello to the HR-V
The 2016 Honda HR-V slots below the award-winning CR-V as Honda’s smallest-ever production crossover. It’s based on the subcompact Fit hatchback, and shares that car’s great handling and versatile Magic Seat® folding second-row bench. All of this makes the HR-V a great compromise between a traditional SUV and a small and efficient hatchback.
Powertrain and Performance
The 2016 Honda HR-V combines the nimble handling of the Fit hatchback with a responsive powertrain and the added security of available all-wheel drive.
All HR-V models use a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, or an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with a choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
With front-wheel drive and the manual transmission, the HR-V gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined (25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway),* and 31 mpg combined (28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) with the CVT.* The all-wheel drive, CVT-equipped model returns 29 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway) in EPA testing.*
The HR-V may feature the tall driving position of an SUV, but the fact that it’s based on the fun-to-drive Fit hatchback really shows in the handling. This bigger brother to the Fit drives much more like a car than an SUV, with responsive steering, quick reflexes, and controlled body roll.
Features and Trims
The 2016 Honda HR-V is a five-door, five-seat subcompact crossover. It’s available in three trim levels, and priced starting at $19,115.**
It may be at the bottom of the Honda crossover lineup, but the HR-V still comes with an impressive list of standard features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, Bluetooth®, multifunction steering wheel, a 5-inch color display screen, and 60/40 split-folding second row “Magic Seat®.”
The EX model includes all of the standard equipment from the LX, and adds Honda’s Display Audio system with a 7-inch screen, heated front seats, a one-touch power moonroof, pushbutton start, paddle shifters for CVT-equipped vehicles, automatic headlights, fog lights, automatic climate control, and other features.
The top HR-V model is the EX-L Navi, which incorporates all of the applicable standard features from the other models, as well as a navigation system, leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto-dimming rearview mirror, roof rails, and SiriusXM® satellite radio, HD Radio®, and Honda Digital Traffic subscription-based services.
Design
The 2016 Honda HR-V is part of a new generation of subcompact crossovers that take the segment further away from its gas-guzzler SUV roots than ever before, and that’s reflected in the HR-V’s exterior and interior design.
On the outside, the HR-V rides high like a traditional SUV, but features a sleek, coupe-like roofline and a front fascia that ties it to its sibling, the Fit. The exterior is further enlivened by extra detailing, including an upswept character line that meets the roof at the C-pillar, creating some interesting shapes.
At the back, the HR-V features standard LED taillights and a sporty-looking rear diffuser integrated into the bumper.
Despite its small size, the HR-V is fairly roomy on the inside, with a maximum 100.1 cubic feet of passenger space. A large glass area also helps create an open and airy feel. Cloth-trimmed seats are standard on the LX and EX models, while the EX-L Navi gets leather.
The driver gets a well-designed instrument cluster, with a large central speedometer flanked by a tachometer and information display. It’s paired with a standard 5-inch display screen used in concert with the rearview camera, and steering-wheel mounted controls for Bluetooth®, audio, and cruise control.
The HR-V also features the Fit’s folding Magic Seat® second-row bench, which can fold flat or be configured in a variety of other positions for different situations. With the seat completely folded, the HR-V boasts an impressive 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 cubic feet in all-wheel drive models).
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Honda HR-V includes anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist stability control, traction control, a rearview camera, and front, side, and side-curtain airbags. A multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and Honda’s LaneWatch™ Display are available as options.
Bottom Line
The 2016 Honda HR-V combines the best attributes of a traditional SUV and a subcompact hatchback to make a great all-rounder.
Be sure to contact us online or visit Hall Honda Virginia Beach to schedule a test drive.
*25 city/34 highway/28 combined mpg rating for 6MT models. 28 city/35 highway/31 combined mpg rating for 2WD CVT models. 27 city/32 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD CVT models. Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
**MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $900.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
Image: Honda