Honda HR-V 2016 Long-term Review - 3

Honda HR-V VTi-L ADAS
Long-Term Test (Update 2)

Lacking in outward X-factor, the Honda HR-V wins you over with a host of smart features that enhance the overall driving experience – sumptuous leather seats, excellent automated driver assistance systems and a sunroof round out a top-spec package that’s comfortable and reliable, albeit a little expensive at $33,990. Bonus points for cyclist-proof safety features and the ingenious brake-hold function are counteracted by the lack of sat-nav (well, almost) and a tricky lock. With spaciousness, safety and ergonomics on its side, The HR-V is the ideal ride for a young family who need their car to work that little bit harder.

There’s something to be said for the unremarkable. Too often it’s dismissed as “nothing to write home about” or “predictable”. However, remarkable cars – while impressive to friends or fun on the freeway – are often temperamental creatures. As they say: slow and steady wins the race.

The name Honda HR-V doesn’t exactly light a fire in my soul quite like the names Tesla or Lamborghini do, but I really loved driving this comfortable, clever car. During my week-long affair with the HR-V – which was predominantly limited to city and suburban driving – I found I grew to like it more with each trip to the supermarket or peak-hour expedition.

On a purely shallow level, I like the look of the car. It would be far better in a sleek black or slate grey, but even in a mildly offensive cobalt blue it doesn’t look to Honda-y, which is a good thing in my opinion.

The size is perfect – manageable when parking but solid enough to feel like a smooth and sturdy ride. The leather seats are positively sumptuous and the interior layout just makes sense. Without going into elaborate detail, everything is in its rightful place and it takes about five minutes to acclimatise before you feel totally at home in the car. Visibility is excellent too.

It’s roomy inside and the boot accommodates a full Aldi shop – really my only qualifier for boot space. That and being able to ungracefully shove my bike into it the one day a year I decide to go for a bike ride. The HR-V ticks that box too thanks to its Magic Seats. I thought this was a nickname but, no, it’s an official title (I think it might even be trademarked?).

Whilst I’m not sure if “magic” is the right word for the way the seats fold down and up in a plethora of different configurations, it’s certainly nifty. My bike would get in there with ease, but unfortunately I’ve already done my requisite ride for the year. Bonus points for the way the key comes apart to become a seat-configuring tool. I felt like a real mechanic for a second there.

As far as I can tell, buying the top spec VTi-L ADAS gets you a bunch of safety and technological functions you probably think you don’t need. Think again. One feature I scoffed at and then came to rely on was the brake-hold function, activated when you press down hard on the brake while stopped. I thought it was a bit of over-kill but it really came in handy on downhill slopes when my foot started to ache from holding the pedal down. Side note: a family member remarked that the car had “shiny race car pedals” – not exactly a drawcard for me but maybe important to some?

Another notable feature is the way the mesh cargo cover from the boot is easily removable and folds down to fit into the seat pockets. This is a real win for me as I’m used to operating with hard plastic covers that are impossible to manoeuvre.

The Honda HR-V is a clever car, as evidenced by its automated systems. I didn’t even have time to think, “I should put the headlights on” before they came on and the wipers respond to even the slightest sign of drizzle. The reversing camera is excellent too, but easily undone by a big fat raindrop (I don’t think that problem is unique to the HR-V though).

Sometimes the HR-V was a bit too clever. The parking sensors freaked out if I was within 50 centimetres of an object and sometimes the headlights came on in a patch of shadow. Not to mention, it took me 10 minutes to figure out where the handle on the back doors was. Why put it so high up? C’mon, Honda. Too weird.

Locking the car is also an ordeal. I still don’t quite know how to do it. The HR-V has an auto lock and unlock function when the key is in close proximity. Apparently you can program this function to suit your needs. All I know is that I spent far too long trying to figure out whether it was locked or unlocked every time I parked it somewhere.

One of the best parts of the car in my humble opinion is that it is completely cyclist-proof. Aside from my aforementioned annual bike ride I am not a fan of cyclists (cut to an angry hoard of them showing up at my house). They creep up on you when you least expect it. Thankfully the HR-V has a blind-spot camera on its left mirror to catch them in the act and sensors on either side that beep for each “approaching object”.

Somewhat bizarrely, there’s no sat-nav but you can stream your phone’s directions through the speakers on a Bluetooth connection. Unfortunately there’s no accompanying visual which is a bit frustrating, unless you buy an expensive cable and iPhone App.

The sunroof is excellent although I did wish it would open up the whole way to give the people in the back some wind through their hair.

The air-con survived the Australian summer test with flying colours, and the radio had great sound quality and was easily controlled thanks to the steering wheel buttons.

While the claimed fuel consumption of the VTi-L ADAS is 6.6L/100km, my trip computer clocked it as a little higher at around 8.0L on average. I’m not entirely sure why this was the case – perhaps because I did a lot of short trips in stop-start traffic while blasting the air-conditioning.

Look, I have to admit my affection for the car waned slightly when I learned of the price, particularly of the top-spec version I’d been driving. While $30,000-plus isn’t obscene, it’s certainly a bit of a shock given the Honda’s lack of X-factor.

As young person without any kids, I’m not sure I’d splash the cash on it. However, as a family car – once you take into account the size, functionality and plethora of intelligent extras – maybe the price isn’t so bad after all.

2016 Honda HR-V VTi-L ADAS pricing and specifications:
Price: $33,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 105kW/172Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 155g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

Also consider:
>> Mazda CX-3 Akari (from $31,290 plus ORCs)
>> Nissan Qashqai TL (from $38,390 plus ORCs)
>> Skoda Yeti Ambition 90TSI (from $28,290 plus ORCs)

Related reading:
>> Honda HR-V Long-Term Test (Introduction)
>> Honda HR-V Long-Term Test (Update 1)

Related viewing:
>> Honda HR-V Long-Term Test (Introduction)
>> Honda HR-V Long-Term Test (Update 1)