Greetings!
My wife and I test drove two 2016 Honda HR-V's at two different dealerships. Both were AWD w/CVT. The 1st one was an LX and the 2nd one was an EX(sunroof etc). We spend over an hour with each LX/EX versions(no EX-L available yet that we've seen in our area). Driving was in excess of 30 minutes with each.
My wife really likes the idea of the HR-V's size and style. She's always wanted MFG's to produce small(carlike) AWD CUV's and now, they're here. With the new 2016 Mazda CX-3 not coming to dealers til September. But, the HR-V is the one that she like thus far.
Yes, we've looked at other small AWD's on the market such as the Fiat 500L and Cooper S & Countryman, Juke, etc. but, neither of us are really excited about these other offerings(for one reason or another)! So, on to the HR-V!
Well, the interior is nicely sized with good room front & rear. And with Honda Magic Rear Seats, the HR-V offers plenty of interior space. We both like all of the seating position(s) and overall comfort and IP. We did not play with the infotainment system as they are, what they are. Meaning a high learning curve!!!
We are just interested(right now) in the driving dynamics! Meaning...comfort, steering, ride/handling & interior quiet,(or lack of) and all around outward visibility. YES, the Honda Lane Watch & backup camera are nice feature worth having(Std).
Likes:
Well, I am just a bit disappointed in this offering from HONDA! For many reasons in fact. But, let me talk about the good qualities FIRST!
As mentioned, we like the interior space. Outward visibility is very good in front and to the sides, including the rear door glass. But, the rearward visibility is limited as expected but, is better with the rear seats folded or with the rear headrests lowered.
EX gets std heated front cloth seats!
Instrument Panel(IP) is well laid out as in most Honda's but, the infotainment screen ease of use will need to be played with to get it's full understanding.
We both like the style of the exterior(subjective) as it looks most conventional in our opinions, unlike many other offerings from the other MFG's. Great looking standard 17" aluminum wheels across the trim lines.
Dislikes:
Standard interior fabric is kind'a CHEAP! It looks like the cheap car cover that I bought at Big Lot's for $20. The other interior surfaces are OK!
The EX-L should address this issue but, we don't typically want leather.
Ride/Handling is OK but, not great! Over broken pavement for a new car, I expected better. The cabin is a bit noisy and not as quiet as I expected considering some of the Video Reviews that I watched from Motorweek, Alex on Auto etc.
Engine is completely GUTLESS(or so it feels) considering it's the Civic's 1.8L and not the Fit's 1.5L. The CVT is fine but the engine drones a bit too much. Even with the standard 215-55-17 Michelin MXV4, the ride just isn't very quiet. I have these same tires & size on my 2015 Altima and love them.
CVT's are what CVT's are and I can get used to them! I am liking them in the vehicles that I own and test drive. Especially for their added fuel economy but, I don't notice the added acceleration that I read about. CVT do make the engine(IMHO) feel a bit lethargic but, acceleration test numbers show that I am wr-wr-wrong!
I see cost cutting in too many places for my liking considering these HR-V's in the trimline and configuration that we'd consider, are around $24-$25K. And probably NO DEALING/Negotiations. So far, we've seen some Upmarket pricing from one dealer.
This particular HR-V seem to cause much compelling arguments in my mind. Compelling considering the Cost/Value. Compelling for the cost of a reasonably equipped HR-V, I rather put the money into a lower line(LX/EX trim)CR-V. Or another brand midsize CUV.
Compelling for the ~$25K...I would consider a dollar comparison(apples to oranges) for another $25 vehicle.
Compelling argument for a CPO vehicle of another type!
Compelling argument for another $23K-$26K Honda(Civic EX/Accord LX or Sport/Honda CR-V EX @ $26K+)... I have driven these 3 other Honda's mentioned and I think that they're better for the money!
I just don't think that the HR-V(IMHO) is worth it's cost nor, do I even think it a good vehicle...ESPECIALLY for the money! For LE$$ money, sure! But, not for $24-$25K w/AWD & CVT...the way we would buy a vehicle.
Well, that's it for now and I am sure that I left out some things in the Likes/Dislikes. If anyone has any Q's, please ask!
My wife and I test drove two 2016 Honda HR-V's at two different dealerships. Both were AWD w/CVT. The 1st one was an LX and the 2nd one was an EX(sunroof etc). We spend over an hour with each LX/EX versions(no EX-L available yet that we've seen in our area). Driving was in excess of 30 minutes with each.
My wife really likes the idea of the HR-V's size and style. She's always wanted MFG's to produce small(carlike) AWD CUV's and now, they're here. With the new 2016 Mazda CX-3 not coming to dealers til September. But, the HR-V is the one that she like thus far.
Yes, we've looked at other small AWD's on the market such as the Fiat 500L and Cooper S & Countryman, Juke, etc. but, neither of us are really excited about these other offerings(for one reason or another)! So, on to the HR-V!
Well, the interior is nicely sized with good room front & rear. And with Honda Magic Rear Seats, the HR-V offers plenty of interior space. We both like all of the seating position(s) and overall comfort and IP. We did not play with the infotainment system as they are, what they are. Meaning a high learning curve!!!
We are just interested(right now) in the driving dynamics! Meaning...comfort, steering, ride/handling & interior quiet,(or lack of) and all around outward visibility. YES, the Honda Lane Watch & backup camera are nice feature worth having(Std).
Likes:
Well, I am just a bit disappointed in this offering from HONDA! For many reasons in fact. But, let me talk about the good qualities FIRST!
As mentioned, we like the interior space. Outward visibility is very good in front and to the sides, including the rear door glass. But, the rearward visibility is limited as expected but, is better with the rear seats folded or with the rear headrests lowered.
EX gets std heated front cloth seats!
Instrument Panel(IP) is well laid out as in most Honda's but, the infotainment screen ease of use will need to be played with to get it's full understanding.
We both like the style of the exterior(subjective) as it looks most conventional in our opinions, unlike many other offerings from the other MFG's. Great looking standard 17" aluminum wheels across the trim lines.
Dislikes:
Standard interior fabric is kind'a CHEAP! It looks like the cheap car cover that I bought at Big Lot's for $20. The other interior surfaces are OK!
Ride/Handling is OK but, not great! Over broken pavement for a new car, I expected better. The cabin is a bit noisy and not as quiet as I expected considering some of the Video Reviews that I watched from Motorweek, Alex on Auto etc.
Engine is completely GUTLESS(or so it feels) considering it's the Civic's 1.8L and not the Fit's 1.5L. The CVT is fine but the engine drones a bit too much. Even with the standard 215-55-17 Michelin MXV4, the ride just isn't very quiet. I have these same tires & size on my 2015 Altima and love them.
CVT's are what CVT's are and I can get used to them! I am liking them in the vehicles that I own and test drive. Especially for their added fuel economy but, I don't notice the added acceleration that I read about. CVT do make the engine(IMHO) feel a bit lethargic but, acceleration test numbers show that I am wr-wr-wrong!
I see cost cutting in too many places for my liking considering these HR-V's in the trimline and configuration that we'd consider, are around $24-$25K. And probably NO DEALING/Negotiations. So far, we've seen some Upmarket pricing from one dealer.
This particular HR-V seem to cause much compelling arguments in my mind. Compelling considering the Cost/Value. Compelling for the cost of a reasonably equipped HR-V, I rather put the money into a lower line(LX/EX trim)CR-V. Or another brand midsize CUV.
Compelling for the ~$25K...I would consider a dollar comparison(apples to oranges) for another $25 vehicle.
Compelling argument for a CPO vehicle of another type!
Compelling argument for another $23K-$26K Honda(Civic EX/Accord LX or Sport/Honda CR-V EX @ $26K+)... I have driven these 3 other Honda's mentioned and I think that they're better for the money!
I just don't think that the HR-V(IMHO) is worth it's cost nor, do I even think it a good vehicle...ESPECIALLY for the money! For LE$$ money, sure! But, not for $24-$25K w/AWD & CVT...the way we would buy a vehicle.
Well, that's it for now and I am sure that I left out some things in the Likes/Dislikes. If anyone has any Q's, please ask!
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