I love my 2019 HRV! Bought it new in Spring 2019 and still love it. My biggest issue, actually my only issue, is it is sluggish from a dead stop. (I'm probably biased though, because my previous car is a BMW that I drove for 11 years). However, once you're cruising along at around 45 mph, the passing power is definitely sufficient despite the weak HP. But the trade off is it gets great gas mileage. The A/C is wonderful, great cargo space, and it's a comfortable car. I've driven it on long road trips and it's very comfortable for me, even without lumbar support. It's in my BMW - feels fine and I like it, but I've found I don't even notice that it's not in my HRV, and my back is none the wiser. For reference, I'm in my fifties. So, not a youngster with a good back lol. I was very surprised at how comfortable this little Honda is on 7-hour (one way) drives.
I had a Honda Fit but needed an all-wheel-drive and a little more interior room. My new 2021 Honda HR-V EX AWD is perfect! Sure, it's underpowered, but as long as I continue to get over 30 MPG on the highway, I'm good. Honda's hold their resale value better than the competition.
Man, last time I saw your reviews was about 7 years ago when I bought my 2014 accord. No that I’m shopping again, you still have the most complete reviews.
@@knolysjohnson7244 , then why do they say it is slow??? Where I live the speed limit is 55 mph. Unless I get on the threw way where it is 65. Mainly just city driving for me. I really love the looks of this car and Honda has always been great.
Great review Alex.. HRV is a true Honda in its execution. Affordable, Practical, reliable and fuel efficient. Might be the most reliable choice for a Honda. Naturally aspirated engine avoids the fuel in the oil problems with the new CRV 1.5 l turbo, and the Civic to some extent (those engines are not identical).
I enjoyed the review, and you probably give more and better info than any other reviewer, but, as usual in these crossover reviews, there are two KEY elements that were NOT discussed: Roof rack options, such as configurations and carrying capacity (for instance would we need 3rd party manufacturers for this) and also towing capacity! There are plenty of folks, like myself, who enjoy biking and kayaking, both of which need to be carried outside of the vehicle, and my Honda Fit, bless it, simply is not designed for any exterior cargo. I would love to see someone FINALLY giving us information about these important features, so that people who love the outdoors can make a better informed decision!
Great review! Am considering also buying an HRV in addition to my Fit. Have a Fit with the drop down rear headrests and love the visibility. Don't really care if they leave an imprint when I raise them up for occasional passengers. 99% of the time they are folded down and the totally better visibility makes them awesome.
@@marvelghost The suspension is not very good- even little bumps in the road are noticeable. I would still buy this car again but Im not gonna lie- some of the streets in my city are cobblestone and I try to avoid them as much as possible. Especially if I have a mostly full cup of coffee in the drink holder lol
I would've bought an HR-V, but they dropped manual transmission _before_ it was available with Honda-Sensing. So I ended up with Fit EX MT6, which have Honda-Sensing standard in the US since 2018 model year.
@@joepah51 Fuelly.com data shows Fit MT6 generally getting better fuel mileage than CVT models, and Fit MT6 is way faster to 60mph than CVT version. Now, on higher powered cars, this isn't necessarily true. However, I never said anything about efficiency or speed. People who buy manual Porsches know it's slower to 60 than PDK Porsches. So what? The statement is irrelevant.
I have a 2016 hrv. Within the past week I had a brake light start strobing on me. Went to the dealer to make sure it was the light. They told me it was and they would be happy to replace it for $600. I politely told them to go to hell. Turns out the brake light is an LED so you cannot replace the bulb you have to replace the whole housing. Now get this, here in florida all the dealerships are owned by one corporation that runs a monopoly on the state. They write the lemon laws and they have a choke hold over advance auto parts and autozone. I went to both advanced auto parts and autozone and they both have a note in their system that says that they do not carry the brake light and that i have to go to the dealer. Keep in mind LED technology is supposed to last bare minimum 10 years. Anyways, I was lucky to find the light on amazon for $160. Total horse shit.
"Paddle shifter on a poodle." Great line and review as usual. Your reviews are pretty much my go-to-source when I want to learn about new automotive models.
We took delivery of our '16 HR-V EX-L w/ Navi in July 2015 just after they began hitting dealers, and it has been serving our small family needs well. Unfortunately, it is built to a price and you do notice a lot of small things here and there, but the HR-V is really improving here, now. The HR-V/Vezel still comes better equipped in other markets, and Honda also no longer offers a manual transmission in the North American HR-V, but it's a solid enough vehicle and won't let you down. Just manage your expectations.
Traded my 2013 Civic 1.8 in for a 2020 HR-V SPORT (1.5 Turbo engine). At this end if you get an allrisk covering insurance at Honda theybwill extend factory warranty under provision that the car is serviced and inspected yearly by a certified Honda dealer. Hence the Civic got 7 years of warranty and the HR-V got 10 years of warranty. I was astonished aboutvthe 10 warranty period. They obviously are very confidentbabout the durability and quslity of Honda cars. Itbis convenient too as the dealer is only 2.5 miles from my home and on top of it all it is an excelent dealer with very, I mean VERY, good service.
The i.5 turbo suffers from oil dilution - the high pressure fuel injection pump forces gas past the piston rings. This may result in premature engine wear. The Chinese have banned sales with this engine.
yeah, this is one of reasons you go for the HR-V instead of 1.5T on CR-V. Also, the 2019 CR-V also has battery issue, just go to carcomplaints.com, you will see that a lot of 2019 CR-V owners reported that if you don't use the car for more than 2 days, the battery will die.
@@BoopSnoot : Then we should be glad there is sufficient competition in this segment that we both have options we like. I'm fine with turbos, but I cannot stand Toyota's current design language, which is most exaggerated and most offensive to my sensibilities in the C-HR and current Prius.
Paddle shifters have a use with a CVT. My friend's Corolla "downshifts" aggressively to prevent the car from gaining speed when going downhill. A quick tap on the up paddle and you can let it roll!
@@normt5463 it's enough power and this is me going uphill merging into the freeway: ruclips.net/video/kG-4Vw4Gy5c/видео.html And my best was 42 mpg. Better than your lease, Encore or Trax
Excellent and very detailed review. My daughter who is a new driver wants one as her first car. I just wish that Honda made Honda Sense and Apple CarPlay standard on all trims.
Great informative video, only think didn’t mention on video that HR-V gas tank is under front seats.read somewhere-wondered about safety? They had to move due to magic seats.
I have Subaru outback with CVT and paddle shifters. The only time I use it is when I am coming a steep downhill and I shift to a lower gear point for engine braking
@@tousshong9438 The cruise control does a good job of shifting to a lower ratio to get engine braking, but it seems to only work when you have an actual slope.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I wanted to add my opinion about the comparison. The CHR has terrible blind spot on the rear, Jeep is for the most part unreliable, the Honda is good but I would worry about the CVT because those transactions aren’t know to be reliable and that engine is weak but reliable as far as I know. I hope Honda adds a turbo option.
Alex is one of the best at vehicle reviews. I'm looking at getting an LX version for my wife. It has everything she needs and also comes with a factory CD player which is a big plus.
Unless you need all wheel drive, I'd pick the Honda Civic hatchback any day over this. It costs slightly more initially, but its superior fuel economy more than makes up for that. It's got a ton of cargo space and people space, too. And it's much, much zippier. 9.5 seconds is really pushing it for getting up to highway speed safely. The Civic with the turbocharged engine does 0-60 in 6.6.
if it was me, i would go with the jeep compass because of the ground clearance, looks and all that stuff from this group. the lack of awd on the kia soul is a deal breaker and the slow altercation of the Subaru makes it undesirable. the toyota is fwd and less storage. i live in the northeast and they always say its your tires but its not, i been with fwd, rdw. 4x4 and awd in nor'easters and its not just tires you want awd here with ground clearance.
@@pbentsonable i use to have a Cherokee, all i did was put in gas, change the oil and fix flats on it. some people said they had all sorta problems on theirs but i never did. also the key broke while opening the rear.
It's a nice little car. But after test driving it, I'd say it's on the uncomfortable side esp for anyone who is taller than 6'0, definitely not a "family car". For £1500/$2000 more, you can get a Camry or a Mazda6 saloon with much more room, cargo, and luxury features.
Great review:) I just tried the 2020 yesterday, I was really hyped. Really like how spacious it was. The power as mentioned in many videos is very low. I tried the sport and eco mode... and I didn't feel any difference. The road noise was quite apparent. What disappointed me the most was the ride feel. I felt everything on the road.... especially when the rear wheels went over cracks/pumps. I live in Montreal and I think this would be a constant pain to drive. I expected the thick tires to help... but they didn't offer much comfort.
Thanks for adding this Tony W. I appreciate your insights. I live in the same region (US side) and am looking for something reasonably quiet, with decent (but not insane) pick up, a smooth ride and small. Apparently an almost impossible combination! I have had such great luck with Hondas in the past this one seemed like a no brainer. What did you get in the end? I am leaning towards a Buick Encore, although I worry on the reliability front there. Cheers!
@@lisearenberg7244 I finally went with the Hyundai Tucson. It has 6 speed transmission and loads of features. The drive is ooookayyyy. It had 0% interest rate. Had less recalls or complaints on the Tucson.
2019 looks so much better than my 2016 HR-V EX! The leather interior makes a big difference as I have fabric and the door panels are also fabric and odd! Oh well!
That sure was generous of Nissan to provide the Honda HR-V, insurance, and one tank of gas. >_> (Additional correction: Alex says 72 dB whereas the credits say 69 dB.)
6:03 the only other car who come close in cargo capacities is the Fit ( gen '07 - '14 ) with 57.3 cu.ft. better than the last gen Fit ( 52.7 cu.ft. ) Very close to the Hr-v ( 58.8 cu.ft. ) minus 1.5 cu.ft., but in a even more brillant smaller packaging ... and bonus : you don't get the cvt in these gen of Fit .
I never understand this move to largen vehicles to the point that they move up a category. A 2019 HR-V is similarly sized to a 1999 CR-V. Why don't automakers keep redesigns the same size such that we don't keep having compact/subcompact/subsubcompact SUV's coming in?
I drives me nuts as well and it is the case for most vehicles, not only SUV. They just design them like that - every face lift adds 1 inch. CR-V is a giant with bloated corners. I do not like it as the visibility is poor.
Is it any larger inside? I'm guessing it's a safety thing, thicker frame, panels, curtain airbags, etc. All those things give you a larger car with the same cargo and seating room.
I think the rear headrests leaving an imprint on the rear seat backs is a small price to pay for head rests that in their down position don't obstruct sight lines to the rear window like in most cars.
What a great car, I really respect cars that have excellent packaging. I think 9.5 seconds 0-60 is sufficient. One thing that is totally lacking from your video is the driveability of the CVT, the CVT is absolutely the most controversial aspect of this car and people want to know what it's like. Some CVTs are awful.
The FWD is lighter than the awd so I was able to beat the official 0-60: ruclips.net/video/y0mR9EB4cFs/видео.html And after 4 years with 50k so far, I have no issues with the Cvt
Considered this, C-HR, Kona and CX3 in the sub compact segment. Ended up with CX3 with a good deal...HRV would’ve cost me more, no incentives and high int rate plus features I didn’t like with this HRV were: anemic 1.8L engine, CVT, weird location of rear door handle, driving dynamics were below CX3, halogen lights (other than top trim), & lane watch? Most use blind spot monitor not a camera on side mirror! Didn’t really care about cargo capacity...
STOP pushing turbo engines. Turbo engines run hotter. Turbo engines need more cooling. Turbos stress engines. The turbo itself costs nearly $1,500 if ever needed replacement. Why purchase an economy automobile that may cost more in maintenance with a turbo engine. STOP pushing turbo engines.
Since originally watching this I had a nine mile ride in the back set of an HR-V Uber. There was certainly plenty of room in the back and it was comfortable. However it was very noticeable how harsh the ride was. For example on a particular stretch of 405 near LAX the HR-V was bouncing up and down quite uncomfortably on the undulations, whereas taking the same stretch in the same lane at the same speed in my Outback (almost back to back) I didn't notice the undulations AT ALL.
I was surprised when Alex gave the HR-V a good rating for its ride since every other review I've seen of it, including that of Consumer Reports, said it was harsh riding!
Europe got the 1.5 turbo in the facelift. And it has a manual as well. And it's a rev hang fest so it's not sporty at all. Not that it's sporty in the Civic. Same problem.
@@bvedant I've driven the 1.5 turbo CRV with a manual and it's not that pleasant. Same issue with the rev hang. I hate to say this, but the CVT is better. That being said I will never buy a CVT until manuals die. So I wouldn't buy a Honda. It's a shame because their gearboxes feel really good. It's just the engine tuning that isn't suited to it. Also: do you have any problems with oil dilution?
ast5515 I see. We bought it because we're a Honda family, and it certainly didn't hurt that it was rated as the most fuel-efficient in the class. To be honest I'm not really sure what an accurate way to determine the oil dilution would be as I have heard that there are some misconceptions of the issue. but we are getting a bit below the EPA estimates given we drive about 90% short city trips.
Thanks for the review Alex. I just bought one three days ago. I love it. I with they still made the manual transmission, but I’ll live! Great review as usual!
Simple question, why such "big" car can not get Civic engine? It would make that car so much better. Civic engine is in Accord and CRV, don't see reason not to add it to this line up.
ALL safety features should NOT be standard on all trim levels. They have to be paid somehow, so consumers end up paying higher and higher new car prices. Give consumers the choice. Huge pickups are safer (physics), does that mean everyone should be forced to buy $70k F-250s?
I don't know. It's hard to put a price on a life. Forcing cars to have active safety systems has direct casual link to the lower mortality rate. I guess I love everyone to be alive more than you do. It's also possible that the car companies can cut corners in some area to compensate the extra cost of the safety equipment to maintain their competitiveness on overall pricing. If more people buy cars with safety equipment at the lowest price they can find, that is where the market is and the car companies will follow. I know Toyota already did.
@@ibmtpx24 So since you love everyone to be alive more than me, why not mandate F-250 for everyone, it is definitely safer than Prius with active safety systems in any sort of collision.
@@rightlanehog3151 most people don't use manual car guys Like us want a manual transmission about to your average person they don't care they like the automatic because it's more convenient not reliable
Excellent review but Alex, when are Honda going to put a new motor with more HP on this cute little CUV? I'm currently own one and wish it has a bit more HP.. Yes, it's adequate for normal driving but at least throw in the 2.0L motor from the civic in this little baby. After all, that motor is fuel efficient as well.
I have been saying that 3 years ago when it first comes out. Still Honda is being suborn or maybe they try to depleted their hug inventory of the old Honda Civic engine before they do something about the motor. However, I have own a HR-V myself and it's not all that bad on daily city commute. It cruise real nice on highway long trip as well. Still want bigger and more HP motor thought.
What's the sys for rating seat comfort? This got 9/10 (8way). The Escalade (14 way+massage) got 9/10 as well.. and you said 3:22 the Kicks is better for your shape, which got 8/10 w a fully manual seat. Is it about riding quality/feel?
this past saturday i test drove a 2018 hr-v. the engine was "good enough". the cargo room was great. but for the $25k sticker price of the ex model i looked at, i thought the interior was downright chintzy. really not impressed.
It is - we spent a little more on our fully loaded HR-V when they first came to dealers in Summer of 2015 for MY2016, and although it serves its purpose well, interior quality doesn't even hold up to a 2nd Generation KIA Sportage or 3rd Generation Subaru Forester!
The HRV with a 1.5L turbo would actually be fun. That said I'd go Hyundai Kona with the 1.6L turbo over the HRV. Wished it had the Honda magic seats though. Biggest dislike on the HRV is that you need to py over $28k just to get rid oh halogen headlights. Inexcusable
Best comparison video I have seen. Really appreciate all the info. Gosh, no one car has it all but I don't care about 0-60. I'm driving a 25 yr. old Toyota Corolla wagon w manual windows and locks. It's the storage configuration (for my dog's crate and folding bike) that is pushing me toward the HRV. I would love to have some window vents (for above dog). Does anyone make those for the HRV? Thanks.
No engine choices to force customers to buy the more expensive CRV. Even europe gets the 1.5 turbo in the HRV and europe normally doesn't get most Hondas.
Not only the 1.5T, but Hybrid and Diesel models are available in other markets, and are often available with better base amenities and features. Our fully loaded 2016 HR-V EX-L w/ Navi has served us well, but lacks some of the features a base Japanese or Malaysian model may have!
@@SonyEnthusiast but what do the paddle shifters actually do? its a CVT. there are no traditional gears to shift to. If it takes you to a specific ratio and holds it there, that defeats the purpose of a CVT. unless you are trying to engine brake with it.
@@mhicks31 I don't use it all of the time during my drives, but when I do, I use it to help accelerate faster while merging into freeways, passing others easily, going downhill to lessen my brake use, etc. When I'm up to speed, I upshift so I don't Rev high. This is in "Sport /Shift/Manual" mode and I turn off Eco. I can also downshift in D too for quicker acceleration without shifting into S mode. Other than that, I get great mpg while on Eco mode on D. My best was 42 mpg
Put a 1.5Turbo in this, and pair it with the AWD and 6MT, and they will get my money. The current gutless version is the reason why it is a slow seller.
You are misusing the word literally because I am literally sure that not all private hire cars in Singapore are HR-V's. I've been there this is definitely not true
@@tomdoe1234 People who misuse literally vs figuratively should be forcibly castrated to prevent further replicating their own species of idiocy, am I right?
I owned one for 3 months but the toxic smell from the interior was so bad I had to trade it in. I'm not particularly sensitive to smell but it was unbearable. I smelt it when i test drove it but I thought it was fade over time.
Unfortunately the turbo 1.5 is major problems with oil leaking into the motor, and thus Honda's reliability has gone down overall as a result. Skip that motor and go with the super reliable vtec
Any comments on winter driving in the 2018 or 2019 HRV, compared to the Honda Fit & Kia Soul front wheel drive or the Subaru Crosstrek? I assume the Subaru wins, but not sure by how much. I don't want to go off-road, I just want to get up some snowy hills and stay on the road coming down the mountain.
We own a 2016 HR-V EX AWD and it handle great in the snows. I was driving thru a blizzard in Colorado going up and down in rocky mountain that's when the paddle shift comes in handy...use for engine braking instead of the brake going down a slippery to keep the vehicle from sliding.
The HR-V's standard headlights have been rated by IIHS as "Poor." To get improved headlights (a basic safety requirement), Honda finally offers LED units, but requires a huge jump to the "Touring" level @ $28,000+. Thanks for the deep concern for safety, Honda.
Hey look, they didn't have to resort to tacking a tablet on top of the dash. Good job Honda. Now give us the 1.5t. So surprised that Europe got that first.
I'm 6'3" and I have plenty of headroom and legroom driving my mother's HR-V and wife's Fit. It is really surprising just how much more spacious they are inside than the exterior would lead you to believe.
ItsameMatt For me the door frame is the problem. But once inside I’m fine on most vehicles. I have a long toro with average leg length. And the 4” shorter probably help too. Lol
It depends on road conditions. But the 2019 has better road sound deadening. If you truly want a quieter cuv, get a luxury one like the Audi Q3 Then you can complain about the price and reliability
Very good review. Comparing Honda reliability and cost to maintain to Kia is very lopsided imo. Tough to beat Honda on practicality, along with fuel economy. Jeep? Um NO! The HRV is still a bit pricey when loaded up, but it will serve you well for many years. I have 2 Honda Fits that have been very reliable, fuel efficient, and inexpensive to maintain.
HR-V hybrid X AWD costs similar money as Mazda CX-5 25S AWD in Japan. Easy choice ;) I am looking for a AWD without a belt type CVT. When these two factors apply, Honda is expensive.
I love my 2019 HRV! Bought it new in Spring 2019 and still love it. My biggest issue, actually my only issue, is it is sluggish from a dead stop. (I'm probably biased though, because my previous car is a BMW that I drove for 11 years).
However, once you're cruising along at around 45 mph, the passing power is definitely sufficient despite the weak HP. But the trade off is it gets great gas mileage. The A/C is wonderful, great cargo space, and it's a comfortable car. I've driven it on long road trips and it's very comfortable for me, even without lumbar support. It's in my BMW - feels fine and I like it, but I've found I don't even notice that it's not in my HRV, and my back is none the wiser. For reference, I'm in my fifties. So, not a youngster with a good back lol. I was very surprised at how comfortable this little Honda is on 7-hour (one way) drives.
I had a Honda Fit but needed an all-wheel-drive and a little more interior room. My new 2021 Honda HR-V EX AWD is perfect! Sure, it's underpowered, but as long as I continue to get over 30 MPG on the highway, I'm good. Honda's hold their resale value better than the competition.
Man, last time I saw your reviews was about 7 years ago when I bought my 2014 accord. No that I’m shopping again, you still have the most complete reviews.
Solid crossover, my family loves ours! Purchased new in 2016, we keep up with regular maintenance, and no issues🙏
Does it do.70 80 mph?
Yeah lol
@@knolysjohnson7244 , then why do they say it is slow???
Where I live the speed limit is 55 mph. Unless I get on the threw way where it is 65. Mainly just city driving for me. I really love the looks of this car and Honda has always been great.
@@PileOnPileOffPileUpOnThe481 The HRV is pretty slow to accelerate, but works fine for cities and highway commute. Its not made for racing :)
@@knolysjohnson7244 I don't race :)
This channel has the best car reviews hands down!! Great job Alex!
Great review Alex.. HRV is a true Honda in its execution. Affordable, Practical, reliable and fuel efficient.
Might be the most reliable choice for a Honda. Naturally aspirated engine avoids the fuel in the oil problems with the new CRV 1.5 l turbo, and the Civic to some extent (those engines are not identical).
I enjoyed the review, and you probably give more and better info than any other reviewer, but, as usual in these crossover reviews, there are two KEY elements that were NOT discussed: Roof rack options, such as configurations and carrying capacity (for instance would we need 3rd party manufacturers for this) and also towing capacity! There are plenty of folks, like myself, who enjoy biking and kayaking, both of which need to be carried outside of the vehicle, and my Honda Fit, bless it, simply is not designed for any exterior cargo. I would love to see someone FINALLY giving us information about these important features, so that people who love the outdoors can make a better informed decision!
Great review! Am considering also buying an HRV in addition to my Fit. Have a Fit with the drop down rear headrests and love the visibility. Don't really care if they leave an imprint when I raise them up for occasional passengers. 99% of the time they are folded down and the totally better visibility makes them awesome.
In Canada, 2019 HR-V comes standard with Sensing
Is that even in the base model LX? I do not think so.
I own this car and I absolutely love it!
It is so slow
@@buildmorefarms1007 it's a crossover not a race car
How does the suspension feel when hitting bumps?
@@marvelghost The suspension is not very good- even little bumps in the road are noticeable. I would still buy this car again but Im not gonna lie- some of the streets in my city are cobblestone and I try to avoid them as much as possible. Especially if I have a mostly full cup of coffee in the drink holder lol
I would've bought an HR-V, but they dropped manual transmission _before_ it was available with Honda-Sensing.
So I ended up with Fit EX MT6, which have Honda-Sensing standard in the US since 2018 model year.
catsspat that is sad they dropped he manual 😭
Honestly thank you for buying a manual #savethemanuals
At some point you will need accept manuals aren't as efficient or as fast...
@@joepah51 Fuelly.com data shows Fit MT6 generally getting better fuel mileage than CVT models, and Fit MT6 is way faster to 60mph than CVT version.
Now, on higher powered cars, this isn't necessarily true.
However, I never said anything about efficiency or speed. People who buy manual Porsches know it's slower to 60 than PDK Porsches. So what? The statement is irrelevant.
@@catsspat With the HRV you're absolutely right.. Was speaking in general and for most Honda cars and SUVs.. eg. Honda accord and civic.
I have a 2016 hrv. Within the past week I had a brake light start strobing on me. Went to the dealer to make sure it was the light. They told me it was and they would be happy to replace it for $600. I politely told them to go to hell. Turns out the brake light is an LED so you cannot replace the bulb you have to replace the whole housing. Now get this, here in florida all the dealerships are owned by one corporation that runs a monopoly on the state. They write the lemon laws and they have a choke hold over advance auto parts and autozone. I went to both advanced auto parts and autozone and they both have a note in their system that says that they do not carry the brake light and that i have to go to the dealer. Keep in mind LED technology is supposed to last bare minimum 10 years. Anyways, I was lucky to find the light on amazon for $160. Total horse shit.
if you have a 2016 I'd look into getting tranny fluid changed earlier than the maint. sked suggests.
Just got mine today. Love it.
"Paddle shifter on a poodle." Great line and review as usual. Your reviews are pretty much my go-to-source when I want to learn about new automotive models.
Really want a hybrid version of this car.
Why?? 32 mpg and it's affordable.. A hybrid would hurt affordability..
We took delivery of our '16 HR-V EX-L w/ Navi in July 2015 just after they began hitting dealers, and it has been serving our small family needs well. Unfortunately, it is built to a price and you do notice a lot of small things here and there, but the HR-V is really improving here, now.
The HR-V/Vezel still comes better equipped in other markets, and Honda also no longer offers a manual transmission in the North American HR-V, but it's a solid enough vehicle and won't let you down. Just manage your expectations.
Traded my 2013 Civic 1.8 in for a 2020 HR-V SPORT (1.5 Turbo engine).
At this end if you get an allrisk covering insurance at Honda theybwill extend factory warranty under provision that the car is serviced and inspected yearly by a certified Honda dealer.
Hence the Civic got 7 years of warranty and the HR-V got 10 years of warranty. I was astonished aboutvthe 10 warranty period. They obviously are very confidentbabout the durability and quslity of Honda cars.
Itbis convenient too as the dealer is only 2.5 miles from my home and on top of it all it is an excelent dealer with very, I mean VERY, good service.
The 2019 HR-V Touring looks so much better than the pre-refresh model
After owning a Jeep Liberty, I will never again buy a Jeep anything
the liberty and the patriot are notorious for bad quality , I think they do a little better on the GRand Cherokee and wrangler
@@jayduke3373 Cherokee is not bad also.
The i.5 turbo suffers from oil dilution - the high pressure fuel injection pump forces gas past the piston rings. This may result in premature engine wear. The Chinese have banned sales with this engine.
yeah, this is one of reasons you go for the HR-V instead of 1.5T on CR-V. Also, the 2019 CR-V also has battery issue, just go to carcomplaints.com, you will see that a lot of 2019 CR-V owners reported that if you don't use the car for more than 2 days, the battery will die.
@@blackwhirlwind1245 i've been told the 1.5 issues are resolved with the 2019 cr-v and beyond
I'm impressed the HR-V still holds up this well against the competition.
Meh, too slow, too boring. Needs a strong turbo option and some crazy CHR type styling to wet my whistle.
@@BoopSnoot : Then we should be glad there is sufficient competition in this segment that we both have options we like. I'm fine with turbos, but I cannot stand Toyota's current design language, which is most exaggerated and most offensive to my sensibilities in the C-HR and current Prius.
@@Pikminiman the chr is horrendous
Paddle shifters have a use with a CVT. My friend's Corolla "downshifts" aggressively to prevent the car from gaining speed when going downhill. A quick tap on the up paddle and you can let it roll!
Yup I use it on hills and to accelerate faster too by downshifting
@@SonyEnthusiast you need to wake those gerbels up before they are out to work!
@@normt5463 it's enough power and this is me going uphill merging into the freeway: ruclips.net/video/kG-4Vw4Gy5c/видео.html
And my best was 42 mpg. Better than your lease, Encore or Trax
I think Honda should have adapted a modified R20Z3 engine for the current 2019 HR-V.
Excellent job reviewing this vehicle class. I am going with the HRV.
Sorry to hear that!
Excellent and very detailed review. My daughter who is a new driver wants one as her first car. I just wish that Honda made Honda Sense and Apple CarPlay standard on all trims.
Got Mine 8 months before REALLY NICE CAR.!!!
Great informative video, only think didn’t mention on video that HR-V gas tank is under front seats.read somewhere-wondered about safety? They had to move due to magic seats.
I have Subaru outback with CVT and paddle shifters. The only time I use it is when I am coming a steep downhill and I shift to a lower gear point for engine braking
Speaking of the Outback, these HR-V fuel economy figures aren't enough better than a (much bigger) Outback to care! Weird.
Likewise, I use the paddle shift only as engine braking. Comes in handy last year when I drove thru Colorado snow storms in the rocky mountain.
@@tousshong9438 The cruise control does a good job of shifting to a lower ratio to get engine braking, but it seems to only work when you have an actual slope.
The engine is the same as the Civic i used to have in 2015. I've test driven a 2018 HR-V and a CR-V. I've gotten 54mpg in my 2014 Civic .
My pick? Hyundai Kona 1.6T.
Agree more nicer and better price
Ok but it's horrendous
And Kona is less practical.
turbo konas are showing same oil dilution issues as the 1.5 turbo honda's . buy the 2 litre kona instead if going that route.
How awfully nice of Nissan to lend you a Honda for a review! :)
??? I don't get it.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I wanted to add my opinion about the comparison. The CHR has terrible blind spot on the rear, Jeep is for the most part unreliable, the Honda is good but I would worry about the CVT because those transactions aren’t know to be reliable and that engine is weak but reliable as far as I know. I hope Honda adds a turbo option.
The blind spot is not as bad as you think. It becomes not even noticeable.
Alex is one of the best at vehicle reviews. I'm looking at getting an LX version for my wife. It has everything she needs and also comes with a factory CD player which is a big plus.
You can always replace the stereo, one with Apple CarPlay, Alpine sells one for $200 and it's easy to install.
Unless you need all wheel drive, I'd pick the Honda Civic hatchback any day over this. It costs slightly more initially, but its superior fuel economy more than makes up for that. It's got a ton of cargo space and people space, too. And it's much, much zippier. 9.5 seconds is really pushing it for getting up to highway speed safely. The Civic with the turbocharged engine does 0-60 in 6.6.
Would like to see your test on two 2020 Souls: S (due to active safety vs the LX) and a GT Line.
if it was me, i would go with the jeep compass because of the ground clearance, looks and all that stuff from this group. the lack of awd on the kia soul is a deal breaker and the slow altercation of the Subaru makes it undesirable. the toyota is fwd and less storage. i live in the northeast and they always say its your tires but its not, i been with fwd, rdw. 4x4 and awd in nor'easters and its not just tires you want awd here with ground clearance.
bird718 I have a 2018 Jeep Compass Limited and it’s been an awesome vehicle. No problems at all.
@@pbentsonable
i use to have a Cherokee, all i did was put in gas, change the oil and fix flats on it. some people said they had all sorta problems on theirs but i never did. also the key broke while opening the rear.
The compass is a different class smh
It's a nice little car. But after test driving it, I'd say it's on the uncomfortable side esp for anyone who is taller than 6'0, definitely not a "family car".
For £1500/$2000 more, you can get a Camry or a Mazda6 saloon with much more room, cargo, and luxury features.
Great review:) I just tried the 2020 yesterday, I was really hyped. Really like how spacious it was. The power as mentioned in many videos is very low. I tried the sport and eco mode... and I didn't feel any difference. The road noise was quite apparent. What disappointed me the most was the ride feel. I felt everything on the road.... especially when the rear wheels went over cracks/pumps. I live in Montreal and I think this would be a constant pain to drive. I expected the thick tires to help... but they didn't offer much comfort.
Thanks for adding this Tony W. I appreciate your insights. I live in the same region (US side) and am looking for something reasonably quiet, with decent (but not insane) pick up, a smooth ride and small. Apparently an almost impossible combination! I have had such great luck with Hondas in the past this one seemed like a no brainer. What did you get in the end? I am leaning towards a Buick Encore, although I worry on the reliability front there. Cheers!
@@lisearenberg7244 I finally went with the Hyundai Tucson. It has 6 speed transmission and loads of features. The drive is ooookayyyy. It had 0% interest rate. Had less recalls or complaints on the Tucson.
2019 looks so much better than my 2016 HR-V EX! The leather interior makes a big difference as I have fabric and the door panels are also fabric and odd! Oh well!
That sure was generous of Nissan to provide the Honda HR-V, insurance, and one tank of gas. >_>
(Additional correction: Alex says 72 dB whereas the credits say 69 dB.)
6:03 the only other car who come close in cargo capacities is the Fit ( gen '07 - '14 ) with 57.3 cu.ft. better than the last gen Fit ( 52.7 cu.ft. ) Very close to the Hr-v ( 58.8 cu.ft. ) minus 1.5 cu.ft., but in a even more brillant smaller packaging ... and bonus : you don't get the cvt in these gen of Fit .
I never understand this move to largen vehicles to the point that they move up a category. A 2019 HR-V is similarly sized to a 1999 CR-V. Why don't automakers keep redesigns the same size such that we don't keep having compact/subcompact/subsubcompact SUV's coming in?
I drives me nuts as well and it is the case for most vehicles, not only SUV. They just design them like that - every face lift adds 1 inch. CR-V is a giant with bloated corners. I do not like it as the visibility is poor.
Is it any larger inside? I'm guessing it's a safety thing, thicker frame, panels, curtain airbags, etc. All those things give you a larger car with the same cargo and seating room.
I think the rear headrests leaving an imprint on the rear seat backs is a small price to pay for head rests that in their down position don't obstruct sight lines to the rear window like in most cars.
What a great car, I really respect cars that have excellent packaging. I think 9.5 seconds 0-60 is sufficient. One thing that is totally lacking from your video is the driveability of the CVT, the CVT is absolutely the most controversial aspect of this car and people want to know what it's like. Some CVTs are awful.
Toyota C-HR is like 12 and change seconds.
The FWD is lighter than the awd so I was able to beat the official 0-60: ruclips.net/video/y0mR9EB4cFs/видео.html
And after 4 years with 50k so far, I have no issues with the Cvt
Excellent piece! Exactly what I needed.
Considered this, C-HR, Kona and CX3 in the sub compact segment. Ended up with CX3 with a good deal...HRV would’ve cost me more, no incentives and high int rate plus features I didn’t like with this HRV were: anemic 1.8L engine, CVT, weird location of rear door handle, driving dynamics were below CX3, halogen lights (other than top trim), & lane watch? Most use blind spot monitor not a camera on side mirror! Didn’t really care about cargo capacity...
STOP pushing turbo engines. Turbo engines run hotter. Turbo engines need more cooling. Turbos stress engines. The turbo itself costs nearly $1,500 if ever needed replacement. Why purchase an economy automobile that may cost more in maintenance with a turbo engine. STOP pushing turbo engines.
Since originally watching this I had a nine mile ride in the back set of an HR-V Uber. There was certainly plenty of room in the back and it was comfortable. However it was very noticeable how harsh the ride was. For example on a particular stretch of 405 near LAX the HR-V was bouncing up and down quite uncomfortably on the undulations, whereas taking the same stretch in the same lane at the same speed in my Outback (almost back to back) I didn't notice the undulations AT ALL.
I was surprised when Alex gave the HR-V a good rating for its ride since every other review I've seen of it, including that of Consumer Reports, said it was harsh riding!
Thanks Alex. I know this review is older I'm still viewing auto reviews on Kia Soul competitors.
Very. Professional review... Sold me...
Buying in December..
Thanks. ✌
I wish you had compared it to the Nissan Rogue SPORT or at least Nisan Kicks. Any way, great review as always Alex👊🏼
Happy Car Reviews what video are you watching? He did compare it to the Kicks several times around 4:04.
@@KarmaticEvolution I was talking about final comparison.
@@HappyCarReviews Ahh
Alex great video and I leased my mom a compass because for$235 I got her limited with AWD after big discounts
I drive fast as it is. Looking to slow down a bit due to rising fuel costs.
Great vehicle, if you're not in a hurry to get anywhere, and you don't mind CVT drone
Hit it on the head. Wouod be great with a 1.5L turbo
@@swanblake not going to happen coming from Honda nor is Acura CDX coming stateside.
🙁 The Kona weren't mentioned in the 😳final comparison.. i was waiting to hear ur take on that comparison
Europe got the 1.5 turbo in the facelift. And it has a manual as well. And it's a rev hang fest so it's not sporty at all. Not that it's sporty in the Civic. Same problem.
That's dope. It could really use that engine. My family has the CR-V with it
@@bvedant I've driven the 1.5 turbo CRV with a manual and it's not that pleasant. Same issue with the rev hang. I hate to say this, but the CVT is better. That being said I will never buy a CVT until manuals die. So I wouldn't buy a Honda. It's a shame because their gearboxes feel really good. It's just the engine tuning that isn't suited to it.
Also: do you have any problems with oil dilution?
ast5515 I see. We bought it because we're a Honda family, and it certainly didn't hurt that it was rated as the most fuel-efficient in the class. To be honest I'm not really sure what an accurate way to determine the oil dilution would be as I have heard that there are some misconceptions of the issue. but we are getting a bit below the EPA estimates given we drive about 90% short city trips.
I wouldn't trust Honda's 1.5, it's defective at its core and eventually have problems.
@@bvedant you will not get great mpg if your driving consists of mostly city driving. My best was 42 mpg in mostly highway in my HR-V 😎
Thanks for the review Alex. I just bought one three days ago. I love it. I with they still made the manual transmission, but I’ll live! Great review as usual!
Does it feel very slow?
Simple question, why such "big" car can not get Civic engine? It would make that car so much better. Civic engine is in Accord and CRV, don't see reason not to add it to this line up.
just search Honda 1.5 T oil dilution.
ALL safety features should NOT be standard on all trim levels. They have to be paid somehow, so consumers end up paying higher and higher new car prices. Give consumers the choice. Huge pickups are safer (physics), does that mean everyone should be forced to buy $70k F-250s?
I don't know. It's hard to put a price on a life. Forcing cars to have active safety systems has direct casual link to the lower mortality rate. I guess I love everyone to be alive more than you do. It's also possible that the car companies can cut corners in some area to compensate the extra cost of the safety equipment to maintain their competitiveness on overall pricing. If more people buy cars with safety equipment at the lowest price they can find, that is where the market is and the car companies will follow. I know Toyota already did.
@@ibmtpx24 So since you love everyone to be alive more than me, why not mandate F-250 for everyone, it is definitely safer than Prius with active safety systems in any sort of collision.
"Deleted the manual" :(
Because most people don't use it
@@TwoDollarGararge People don't use their transmission?
@@rightlanehog3151 most people don't use manual car guys Like us want a manual transmission about to your average person they don't care they like the automatic because it's more convenient not reliable
Excellent review but Alex, when are Honda going to put a new motor with more HP on this cute little CUV? I'm currently own one and wish it has a bit more HP.. Yes, it's adequate for normal driving but at least throw in the 2.0L motor from the civic in this little baby. After all, that motor is fuel efficient as well.
Ugh, 146 hp? Why couldn’t they use the base civic engine with 160+ HP?
I have been saying that 3 years ago when it first comes out. Still Honda is being suborn or maybe they try to depleted their hug inventory of the old Honda Civic engine before they do something about the motor. However, I have own a HR-V myself and it's not all that bad on daily city commute. It cruise real nice on highway long trip as well. Still want bigger and more HP motor thought.
What's the sys for rating seat comfort? This got 9/10 (8way). The Escalade (14 way+massage) got 9/10 as well..
and you said 3:22 the Kicks is better for your shape, which got 8/10 w a fully manual seat. Is it about riding quality/feel?
He just compares the seat comfort to other vehicles in the same segment of the market.
this past saturday i test drove a 2018 hr-v. the engine was "good enough". the cargo room was great. but for the $25k sticker price of the ex model i looked at, i thought the interior was downright chintzy. really not impressed.
It is - we spent a little more on our fully loaded HR-V when they first came to dealers in Summer of 2015 for MY2016, and although it serves its purpose well, interior quality doesn't even hold up to a 2nd Generation KIA Sportage or 3rd Generation Subaru Forester!
What are you demanding?
HR-Vex more horse power and a ton more torque
Just one of these days that telescoping steering wheel is going to break with those violent adjustments you make. It will be truly epic.
Steering wheels have to survive a crash so it's not likely to break from adjusting it too hard.
The HRV with a 1.5L turbo would actually be fun. That said I'd go Hyundai Kona with the 1.6L turbo over the HRV. Wished it had the Honda magic seats though. Biggest dislike on the HRV is that you need to py over $28k just to get rid oh halogen headlights. Inexcusable
Why do people expect sportscar performance out of crossovers?
The Kona is horrendous btw
Or just buy a nicer looking 2018 Regal TourX 2.0T with torque vectoring AWD like we did for middle $20's and see 40 mpg highway.
Best comparison video I have seen. Really appreciate all the info. Gosh, no one car has it all but I don't care about 0-60. I'm driving a 25 yr. old Toyota Corolla wagon w manual windows and locks. It's the storage configuration (for my dog's crate and folding bike) that is pushing me toward the HRV. I would love to have some window vents (for above dog). Does anyone make those for the HRV? Thanks.
Why no comparison at the end to the Hyundai Kona?
No engine choices to force customers to buy the more expensive CRV. Even europe gets the 1.5 turbo in the HRV and europe normally doesn't get most Hondas.
1.5T would be perfect in this car :(
You do know of the problems with the 1.5 engine? If you like gas in your engine oil go for it😕
Is this the gdi engine that has the oil dilution issues?
The 1.5T engine has some reliability issues.
Not only the 1.5T, but Hybrid and Diesel models are available in other markets, and are often available with better base amenities and features. Our fully loaded 2016 HR-V EX-L w/ Navi has served us well, but lacks some of the features a base Japanese or Malaysian model may have!
i would have liked to hear about the optional active noise cancellation on this model.
they dropped the manual transmission option but retain the paddle "shifters" on the CVT? When are car makers going to just be honest about the CVT?
Paddles are useful in the mountains for engine breaking.
@@valdius85 is engine braking advisable on a CVT? if it is, there must be a better way than arbitrary shift points from paddle shifters.
It's useful for hills and also to accelerate faster when you downshift. Smfh
@@SonyEnthusiast but what do the paddle shifters actually do? its a CVT. there are no traditional gears to shift to. If it takes you to a specific ratio and holds it there, that defeats the purpose of a CVT. unless you are trying to engine brake with it.
@@mhicks31 I don't use it all of the time during my drives, but when I do, I use it to help accelerate faster while merging into freeways, passing others easily, going downhill to lessen my brake use, etc. When I'm up to speed, I upshift so I don't Rev high. This is in "Sport /Shift/Manual" mode and I turn off Eco. I can also downshift in D too for quicker acceleration without shifting into S mode. Other than that, I get great mpg while on Eco mode on D. My best was 42 mpg
Put a 1.5Turbo in this, and pair it with the AWD and 6MT, and they will get my money. The current gutless version is the reason why it is a slow seller.
Haven't you heard? The 1.5T have oil dilution so who want that on any cars now. LOL
never get the 1.5 T unless Honda address this oil dilution problem. It's a known issue for few years now.
This is literally the only private hire car in Singapore anyone owns
You are misusing the word literally because I am literally sure that not all private hire cars in Singapore are HR-V's. I've been there this is definitely not true
I noticed that when I was there last year AND a Hybrid trim as well. That seems compelling.
@@tomdoe1234
People who misuse literally vs figuratively should be forcibly castrated to prevent further replicating their own species of idiocy, am I right?
@@Dillingham- I objectively agree!
I owned one for 3 months but the toxic smell from the interior was so bad I had to trade it in. I'm not particularly sensitive to smell but it was unbearable. I smelt it when i test drove it but I thought it was fade over time.
All new cars have the toxic odor smfh.
I had to take a minute to laugh at “Eensie-Weensie”
For me, it was the phrase "paddle shifters on a poodle..."
Unfortunately the turbo 1.5 is major problems with oil leaking into the motor, and thus Honda's reliability has gone down overall as a result. Skip that motor and go with the super reliable vtec
@@glow4417 yup the r18 is tried and true in older civic and HR-V
@@kenc2257 it does help when I downshift to accelerate
@entry Lamborghini Urus
I wonder which model is this? My 2020 HR-V AWD Sport has more upgrade features than this one.
Would be nice if I could afford a car like this. Oh well 🤷♂️
nissan kicks?? why didnt you mention the Nissan Rogue Sport / Qashqai? that is the real competition from this Honda HRV
different car class rogue vs cr-v
Any comments on winter driving in the 2018 or 2019 HRV, compared to the Honda Fit & Kia Soul front wheel drive or the Subaru Crosstrek?
I assume the Subaru wins, but not sure by how much. I don't want to go off-road, I just want to get up some snowy hills and stay on the road coming down the mountain.
We own a 2016 HR-V EX AWD and it handle great in the snows. I was driving thru a blizzard in Colorado going up and down in rocky mountain that's when the paddle shift comes in handy...use for engine braking instead of the brake going down a slippery to keep the vehicle from sliding.
The HR-V's standard headlights have been rated by IIHS as "Poor." To get improved headlights (a basic safety requirement), Honda finally offers LED units, but requires a huge jump to the "Touring" level @ $28,000+. Thanks for the deep concern for safety, Honda.
Hey look, they didn't have to resort to tacking a tablet on top of the dash. Good job Honda. Now give us the 1.5t. So surprised that Europe got that first.
The Honda 1.5t is now in the 2020 HR-V model.
no thanks until they get the OD shit together . toss the k24 engine in there and they'll outsell the CRV's
🙄🙄🙄
Nissan kicks doesn't offer awd. At least here in Canada I'm pretty sure it doesn't
The Kicks is a real competition for the HRV. Too bad it doesn't offer AWD.
The body kit on that Touring trim looks a bit...desperate.
What body kit? It's just painted trim
honda is the best in car segment
Not for tall people though. I’ve noticed a lot of Honda’s are that way. 😢
Stop being so tall! :)
Simmer Pete how tall are you? I’m 6ft 2
Señor Loco I’m 6’7”
I'm 6'3" and I have plenty of headroom and legroom driving my mother's HR-V and wife's Fit. It is really surprising just how much more spacious they are inside than the exterior would lead you to believe.
ItsameMatt For me the door frame is the problem. But once inside I’m fine on most vehicles. I have a long toro with average leg length. And the 4” shorter probably help too. Lol
Haha it's based on Honda Fit? That's the million dollar move baby!
why did they take away the ability to unlock and open windows from the key fob?
Test drove the 2018 model. Way too noisy on the road. Wish there was a small CUV that wasn’t.
Buick encore
Well, it is an CUV, just check a hatchback
It depends on road conditions. But the 2019 has better road sound deadening. If you truly want a quieter cuv, get a luxury one like the Audi Q3 Then you can complain about the price and reliability
great review and competition comparison, well done!
When are you doing the 2019 Mazda3?
Very good review. Comparing Honda reliability and cost to maintain to Kia is very lopsided imo. Tough to beat Honda on practicality, along with fuel economy. Jeep? Um NO! The HRV is still a bit pricey when loaded up, but it will serve you well for many years. I have 2 Honda Fits that have been very reliable, fuel efficient, and inexpensive to maintain.
They perverted the original front end design, trying to resemble the other models. I expect the 1.5T to come here next year.
HR-V hybrid X AWD costs similar money as Mazda CX-5 25S AWD in Japan. Easy choice ;)
I am looking for a AWD without a belt type CVT. When these two factors apply, Honda is expensive.
Honda is a Honda which is more reliable
@@SonyEnthusiast avoid the "Honda Tax".
Europe even gets the "Real Sport" with the 1.5L Turbo and a manual!? 😳
😕 Come onnnn Honda! Id buy that!
You need to state your height, I assume youre about 5'10.
#SaveTheManual
Love the Easter Eggs on the PRACTICAL Alex. And Eeesie weensie was cute.
How do you get into the rear seats?
The door handles are behind the window
Brilliant. Thank you.
Inside and out this looks exactly like My 2020 HRV-EX. 🤔 Lol
Be advised that it is made in Mexico. Engine and transmission are not made in Japan like it used to be. I hade problems with this car after 3 years.
Yeah, agree. My brother had transmission leaks at 53K on his 2016 HR-V and need the seal to be redo.