2022 Honda HR-V V Turbo Review | Philkotse Philippines

Most subcompact crossovers seem to possess a similar theme, which is sportiness and feature-loaded at a competitive price. This paves the way for the idea that you can get an SUV-like road partner without breaking the bank. The Geely Coolray is one of the most significant models to lead this segment. So much so that it managed to best its rivals in sales on various occasions.

2022 Honda HR-V

But back at Honda, the Japanese marque is taking a unique approach with the introduction of the third-generation HR-V. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) launched the all-new HR-V last April 2022 with a design that appears to be less sporty, even when compared to the outgoing model. And it also carries a price tag that is one of the most expensive in its class.

With a distinctive take on a growing market, does the Honda HR-V has what it takes to thrive in the local subcompact crossover segment? Read Philkotse’s 2022 Honda HR-V V Turbo full review to find out.

Exterior-wise, the all-new Honda HR-V departs from the apparent sporty design of the second-gen version. Honda even acknowledges that the new model now features a ‘contemporary design,’ a type of styling concept that will be applied to other models in its lineup.

The new design language was debuted by the 11th-generation Honda Civic last year. Up until this day, many are still divided over the design considering that the brand has built its cars such as the Civic on sporty profiles. But looking at the new and toned-down HR-V, we think that it is a fitting transformation.

Honda HR-V in Premium Opal White Silver Pearl

There are a good amount of exclusive exterior features that you can benefit from this top-of-the-line V Turbo variant over the base S. The top-spec HR-V comes with a honeycomb grille design, while the other variant gets a grille with vertical slats. If you look closely, you will see a variant-exclusive chrome piece on the lower bumper with a heartbeat curve.

Turn to the sides and you will see a rugged SUV appeal thanks to the blacked-out wheel fenders. Both the S and V come with 17-inch wheels but the latter arguably has a better-looking set as it is finished in 'gunmetal gray'. The ‘hidden’ door handle is also retained in the third-gen model. However, it doesn’t get a similar coupe-like appearance due to the absence of the round roofline.

17-inch gray alloys

The rear end is the part that I enjoyed the most, particularly with the addition of the full-width LED taillights. This is mediated by the brand’s logo that is affixed on a sculpted frame. It is also finished with a twin-exhaust setup, providing a touch of sportiness to the design.

Despite going for a new look guided by a contemporary design language, the Honda HR-V seems to not look out of place even when parked next to its proud sporty-looking rivals. But if you still prefer getting some level of sportiness, then the HR-V V should be your go-to. It also offers a sportier drive which we will touch on in a minute.

The contemporary design continues all the way to the interior with the HR-V’s dark cabin theme. But unlike the Honda City which utilizes an all-black interior, the HR-V gets a brighter-looking headliner.

Interior of Honda HR-V

Regardless, the design team at Honda did a good job in making a laid-back styling stick. It doesn’t appear to be bland thanks to chrome trims and the distinct aircon vents. Another feature I appreciate is the rotary knobs for the aircon which are fun and easy to use.

The only feature that I find odd is the integration of the 8-inch touchscreen. It almost looks like an after-market addition and is not part of the original dashboard layout. If the Honda City managed to seamlessly integrate what is presumably the same head unit to its center stack, I can’t help but wonder why the HR-V went with this style.

ULT seats

Of course, that has something to do with the design of the aircon vents. But to give the benefit of the doubt, the infotainment touchscreen responds well to every touch. It isn’t also very laggy which is important in a time when head units are becoming a standard among all production cars. Moreover, the system gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Since the subcompact crossover has a similar platform as the City, it also comes with the ULT seats (Utility, Long, and Tall Mode), offering flexible seating configurations. The knee room is adequate but the headroom for the second-row passengers can feel tight as the roof line slopes down dramatically, creating a fastback finish.

The Honda HR-V doesn’t get the toys that car buyers would normally look for these days such as a panoramic sunroof or a 360-degree camera. But what the crossover boasts is the brand’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) called the Honda Sensing.

8-inch infotainment touchscreen

Honda Sensing comes standard across the PH-spec HR-V’s range. It has eight features including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low Speed Follow (LSF), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Auto High Beam (AHB), and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN).

As compared to other models with an ADAS, Honda Sensing is the most intuitive in my experience. I don’t have to deal with annoyingly super-sensitive sensors that alert me from time to time on situations that don’t even pose a real threat.
The adaptive cruise control works well alongside the lane keep assist system (LKAS) which finds the road markings easily.

Rotary knobs for climate control

During my time with the vehicle, it did a good job assuring me that the system is reliable. However, if you plan to go on roads with plenty of curves and turns such as the Skyway Stage 3, the LKAS could get a difficult time detecting the lines.

But do keep in mind that an ADAS such as the Honda Sensing isn’t designed to become an alternate mode of driving. Instead, it only serves to assist drivers by trying to reduce their fatigue.

As said earlier, the all-new HR-V may feature a more contemporary design but the drive is still pretty much a sporty Honda. Under the hood of the V variant is a 1.5-liter DOHC VTEC turbocharged gasoline engine capable of generating 175 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque.

HR-V's engine bay

If the powertrain sounds familiar, the Honda Civic uses the same power unit. The engine sends power exclusively to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also comes with paddle shifters finished in black just in case you want to take control of the simulated gears.

Honda almost always impresses me with the driving experience it offers, and fortunately, the HR-V wasn’t a disappointment. The turbo lag wasn’t noticeable as compared to other turbocharged crossovers, making the drive more exciting and comfortable. Hitting the brakes on late turbo delivery can be exhausting especially on long drives.

7-inch digital instrument cluster

In terms of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), the outside noise sounds muffled. But the engine noise can be loud on high RPMs, which I don’t have any problems with. Like most Honda vehicles that keep impressing me, the ride comfort was good.

The Honda HR-V comes with three drive modes, namely the Econ, Normal, and Sport. What I like about the Sport mode is that it didn’t feel like a gimmick. It sharpens the throttle response, providing a spirited driving experience.

In city driving, the Honda HR-V managed to post 11 to 12 km/l while driving at an average speed of 40 km/h. Meanwhile, the highway drive returned 19.4 km/l while driving at an average speed of 90 km/h. During the test, only one person was seated and the air conditioner is at the lowest fan setting.

The said fuel efficiency numbers are expected as they are similar to the ones the Honda Civic gave us which uses the same engine as the V Turbo. In our review of the compact sedan, the Civic registered 9 km/l in the city and 18 km/l on the highway.

Sure, the all-new Honda HR-V doesn’t get the same sporty appearance that its rivals flaunt. But the “grown-up” look of the Japanese subcompact crossover gives it its unique character that I find commendable. Being different isn’t always a bad thing, and the HR-V should prove that statement in the long run.

The Honda HR-V flaunts its turbo technology

And of course, in my opinion, the drive is still pleasant, a characteristic that the brand can be proud of despite not offering a wide array of features. In the tech department, the crossover doesn’t have electronic-adjustable seats, a 360-degree camera, automatic park assist, power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof that competitors offer but it can boast the standard use of Honda Sensing.

For the price of Php 1,598,000, that could be a hard sell, especially for those who are in the market looking for a flashy and feature-loaded subcompact crossover. But if the battle will be decided on the overall driving experience and not on paper, I have no worries putting my money on the Honda HR-V.

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