Honda South Africa has announced pricing for its forthcoming HR-V crossover. Honda claims this segment is downscaling in terms of size and the competition certainly offers smaller SUVs. The new Honda HR-V looks like a sporty coupe offroader, which gives it some street cred.In terms of visual appeal, you get alloy wheels, daytime running lights and slim roof rails.

Practicality

It may be a small SUV, but in true Honda fashion the cabin will be spacious and practical. Thanks to Honda’s Magic Seat system, the seats can be folded down flat to increase carrying capacity. The boot offers 393L of space with the seats up and can be expanded to 1 002L with the seats down. Being an SUV, you get a raised driving position which not only makes you feel good, but offers better all-round visibility. Being a Honda, materials used in the cabin should be of good quality.

Features and Safety

In terms of specification. you get a generous amount of kit thrown in as standard. Things such as electrically operated windows and mirrors, remote central locking, air-conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and a multi-information trip computer come standard. There are two models to choose from, with the lower-spec model receiving a 5-inch infotainment screen and the top-spec model receiving the 7-inch screen. Both versions feature USB connectivity, CD player, multiple speakers as well as Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also an electric parking brake which comes with auto brake hold.

Safety is taken care of by the fitment of six airbags, head restraints, inertia reel seatbelts for all seating positions, and Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. Electronic safety features include ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) activation, as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and a high-mounted LED rear brake light.

Engines

There are two engines to choose from and both drive the front wheels through a Continuously Variable Transmission. First up is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that we’ve seen in the latest Ballade and Jazz models. Power is rated at 88kW and 145Nm. The next engine is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 105kW and 172Nm. Both cars offer shift paddles located behind the steering wheel for a more hands-on driving experience. The main benefit of a CVT gearbox is the improved fuel economy over a traditional manual gearbox.

Honda HR-V Pricing in South Africa

There are seven colours to choose from: Ruse Black, Crystal Black, Carnelian Red, Morpho Blue, White Orchid, Alabaster Silver and Modern Steel.

HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVTR299 900

HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVTR354 900

Pricing includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty, a four-year /60 000 km service plan, and a one-year AA roadside assistance package. Services are at 15 000 km intervals.