Since it was first launched in 1988 (1989 in NZ) the Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle or HR-V has been a stalwart of Honda’s range. Known for its fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and ‘fun-to-drive’ handling it’s been a desirable compact SUV for decades. Anyway, having been MIA in NZ for 2.5-years, the HR-V is back, and with its new styling, improved NVH and an e:HEV hybrid powertrain, this latest generation Honda HR-V is not only a polished rock, it’s a gem!
It’s fair to say that with flight changes and weather bombs, the NZ launch of the HR-V didn’t start out well, but in true Honda NZ spirit, the show not only went on, it flourished. The original invite stated that the event would commence in Palmerston North, however, (due to the weather) Air NZ dropped us off in Wellington. Ever adaptable, Honda’s dealership network had a CR-V waiting for us to drive north, so that’s where our adventure began, and did prove that, although rather neat, the ‘Comfortable Runabout Vehicle’ accommodates 5 hefty blokes and their luggage.
Around 90-minutes later we arrived in PN and commenced the (albeit revised) original event program. And our first look at the all-new 3.5 gen HR-V. Now I say 3.5 as the 3rd Generation was officially launched in 2021, however, for ‘whatever’ reasons, Honda NZ has rejoined the party with the facelifted model – rest assured it’s worth the wait, and what’s more, NZ is one of the first countries actually to have it.
The latest iteration of the HR-V brings a host of improvements that elevate the driving experience to new heights. From enhanced dynamics to advanced safety features and increased utility, Honda has left no stone unturned in crafting a vehicle that caters to the modern driver’s needs.
The vision behind the new HRV embodies the concept of “expand your life,” emphasising practicality, sophistication, and a versatile driving experience. The exterior design focuses on clean lines, aerodynamics, and a premium feel, exemplifying Honda’s dedication to creating a standout vehicle in its class.
Dimensionally the new HR-V is virtually the same as the previous generation, aside from the width, where it’s been deliberately narrowed to make the wheels more pronounced and gives it a more assertive, confident stance. The rear offers up more of a fastback style appearance, and being a ‘facelift’, not only are the tail lights LED but the front indicators are directional too.
Step inside and the interior mimics the exterior with a more simple, more clean, look. The materials feel premium with the likes of combination leather-appointed seats, and comfort is key for both driver and passengers alike. One particular point of note is the fact that the rear only has space for two (so just two seatbelts) but this means that with the increased head and shoulder room, it’s more of a lounge than a back seat.
The drive north to Taupo had been designed to fully test the legs of the new HR-V, plus Honda decided to add the previous gen HR-V, the ZR-V and the CR-V into the mix too. As luck would have it, I snagged the 2nd Gen HR-V first which to be fair, still drove soo well – Then I grabbed the keys to the new one.
The new HR-V comes in e:HEV only and it’s an effortless 1.5L, Two Motor (ICE 78kW/127Nm and Electric Motor 96kW/253NM) Hybrid and all mated to an e-CVT Electronic Control Continuously Variable Fixed Gear Transmission. Combined they offer 4.3L/100km and emissions of 98g/km, but in a frisky fashion that on the quiet country roads was plenty of fun.
There are 3 drive modes, ECO, Normal and Sport (no prizes for guessing what I spent most of my time in) and the paddles behind the steering wheel allow you to vary the amount of brake regen/deceleration, so minimal braking is required for many corners. What’s more, the visibility has been increased through the windscreen, so I managed to see heaps of the NZ countryside as it whizzed past.
The body rigidity has been fortified by incorporating 15% more high tensile steel, resulting in a 20% increase in lateral body rigidity and a 15% boost in torsional body intensity. This, coupled with enhanced suspension performance and agile handling assists, ensures a seamless driving experience. In short, the new HR-V handled the slippery, winding route at an impressive pace.
Noise and vibration inside the cabin have been considerably reduced, offering a quieter driving environment. The use of acoustic front glass and innovative foam fillers has effectively minimised external disturbances, providing a serene driving experience even on some of the rougher roads.
To help keep me (and others) safe, the Honda Sensing suite has been upgraded, with features like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, being joined with traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, and cross-traffic monitor, however, due to the absence of a pesky driver monitoring system, the HR-V has been restricted to 4-Stars from ANCAP.
While on the matter of stars, the new HR-V excels in utility with its innovative features like Magic Seats that offer versatile cargo configurations to accommodate varying needs. The air vents have an air diffusion system for those that get annoyed at wind being blown straight at them, hands-free power tailgate with walk-away close motion, and furthermore, the integration of Connect app provides remote access to climate control, vehicle tracking, and safety alerts, adding a layer of convenience.
Following a restful, 5-Star night’s sleep at the Hilton in Taupo, we again headed North to Hampton Downs, and for this final leg I switched between the new HR-V and the e:HEV ZR-V, testing out the range and depth of what Honda NZ has on offer. Just quietly, although an e:HEV too, the ZR-V offers up an entirely different driving experience to the HR-V and should be tested by yourselves.
With over 600km of NZ tarmac behind us, the launch drive of the Honda’s new HR-V was nothing short of impressive. There were times where we pushed the SUV far more than it probably would be normally, but it didn’t skip a beat. If the HR-V is known for its fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and ‘fun-to-drive’ handling, then this new model does all this – and then some. Like I said at the start, this rock is a real gem.
