2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Going against the norm
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) is on a roll when it comes to introducing new models. It has now officially launched the 2022 HR-V, which is just four months after the all-new Honda Civic's debute.
2022 Honda HR-V Finally in the Philippines - Philkotse Quick Look
The 2022 Honda HR-V is available in two variants: the entry-level S trim and the top-spec V Turbo. It’s bound for a slugfest against other popular crossovers in the market such as the Geely Coolray and the Ford Territory. That said, does it have what it takes to go up against its rivals? Find out the answer to that in this Honda HR-V First Impressions Review.
2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Exterior
The 2022 HR-V looks completely different from the outgoing model. At first glance, you wouldn’t even think that what you’re looking at is an HR-V. It has grown bigger, bolder, and more composed as compared to its predecessor.
Everything from its exterior was changed but the most noticeable aesthetic update is seen on the front fascia. Honda bid sayonara to the HR-V’s solid wing face and replaced it with a hexagonal grille, which I find more appealing than the old look. The grille design seamlessly complements the sweptback LED headlights that are integrated with daytime running lights.
Now, the two HR-V variants come with different grille designs. The S trim has a bar-type grille while the V Turbo comes with a mesh-type. I’m still having a tough time deciding on which grille looks better but I’m leaning more towards the S trim’s grille as it has a cleaner finish.
I also like how the front bumpers are designed since it veers away from the current angular design trend seen on other crossovers in the market. Instead, the all-new Honda HR-V has a smooth bumper design yet it makes the vehicle look larger than it seems when viewed upfront.
The HR-V’s side is clean and simple yet it doesn’t make the vehicle bland. In fact, the simplicity is what makes the HR-V stand out, especially when you compare it to its rivals in the local market. It’s as if the HR-V is the car version of the popular Japanese clothing brands that starts with the letter “U” or the one that starts with the letter “M”. Both variants come with 17-inch wheels, and it still has hidden rear door handles that creates a coupe-like two-door appeal.
The rear now looks more prominent than the outgoing HR-V. The new look comes with the LED taillights that pop out prominently when you view the vehicle at the rear. The 2022 HR-V also has a spoiler while the V Turbo comes with a dual tailpipe finish.
2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Interior
The HR-V comes with a revamped interior layout that once again follows the simplistic design approach. It’s now more straightforward, which is something you can expect from modern Hondas such as the Civic and even the City. The HR-V’s new interior gives a more upscale and mature appeal as compared to the old layout.
That said, the 2022 HR-V looks more premium and comes with a balanced layout. The controls on the dash are neatly placed, giving you a clutter-free cabin. Gone are the three air vents that are placed up front in the front passenger seat. The aircon vents now come in a horizontal pattern, and it blends smoothly into the dashboard. Of note, the side front aircon vents come with individual airflow control, which allows better air circulation in the cabin.
The interior layout of the two HR-V variants is almost the same but still comes with subtle differences. The top-spec V Turbo has silver accents and leather upholstery while the S variant comes with fabric seats. The V Turbo also has a leather steering wheel while the S comes with urethane. Despite having different materials, both variants come with tilt & telescopic steering wheel adjustment.
The front seats come with manual adjustment only for the two HR-V variants. It’s not much of an issue but it would have been better if at least the top-spec V Turbo comes with power-adjustable seats since its segment rivals come with the said feature.
Second-row passengers are greeted with decent legroom but the head-room is a bit tight since the HR-V has a coupe-like exterior shape. The 2022 HR-V can still accommodate up to three passengers at the rear. Of note, Honda’s subcompact crossover doesn’t come with a sunroof, which is not much of a deal-breaker if you ask me.
The HR-V still has a spacious cargo. Loading up to three medium-size suitcases is not a problem with the HR-V. It also comes with ULT seats, which adds to the HR-V’s versatility and functionality. ULT stands for Utility, Long, and Tall, which is a seat configuration that allows the rear seats to be folded in several configurations. This is a similar seat configuration found on the Honda City Hatchback.
2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Tech & Safety
The Honda HR-V’s new interior layout is complemented by tech and safety features. Placed right at the center is an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for both 2022 Honda HR-V variants.
As mentioned earlier, the two HR-V variants are almost similar to one another. One of the subtle differences between the two variants is found in the instrument cluster. The top-spec V comes with a 7-inch digital display on the cluster while the S has a simpler setup with a 4.2-inch digital display.
When it comes to safety features, both 2022 HR-Vs are equipped with Honda Sensing driver-assistive technology that includes the following features: adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking, auto high beam, road departure mitigation, and lead car departure notification.
Aside from Honda Sensing, the two HR-Vs come with smart keyless entry, speed-sensing door locks, a multi-view reverse camera, as well as front and side airbags. It also has an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), agile handling assist, hill descent and hill start assist, stability control, ISOFIX, alarm, and immobilizer.
Overall, the 2022 Honda HR-V is loaded with safety and tech features regardless if it's the entry-level S variant or the top-spec V Turbo.
2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Driving & Handling
Other than the exterior and interior differences, the 2022 HR-Vs are differentiated by what lies under the hood.
The HR-V S variant comes with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine that puts out 119 hp and 145 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the top-spec HR-V V trim is powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbocharged gasoline engine that generates 175 hp and 240 Nm of torque. Both variants come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The HR-V with a non-turbo gasoline engine delivers adequate power and has enough oomph to take on the uphill climb on Honda PH’s test track. The acceleration is a tad slow, which is expected and should not be an issue since a non-turbo HR-V is not meant to have a sprightly power delivery. It is tuned to give you a pleasant and leisurely drive.
The turbo-powered HR-V is a different story. The power delivery is night and day compared to the S variant since the top-spec V trim has a VTEC turbo engine under the hood. It comes with a potent power delivery although the CVT simmers down the overall driving performance of the turbo-powered HR-V by a notch. But it’s not that bothersome, and the paddle shifter will give you a more performance-oriented drive should you need it.
2022 Honda HR-V First Impressions Review: Initial Verdict
The clean design execution on its exterior makes it look premium, and shows that going for a simple look is not always a bad idea. The HR-V’s exterior design makes it stand out from the current crossovers in the market that usually come with an athletic and aggressive demeanor.
The overall package is made even better once you step inside the cabin. Its clutter-free dashboard layout is refreshing, giving you an upscale interior. The ULT seats as well as the Honda Sensing tech add to the all-new HR-V’s bag of tricks.
But, the HR-V might encounter a slight speed bump when it comes to its pricing. The 2022 Honda HR-V comes with a starting price of Php 1,250,000 for the non-turbo variant, which is priced within the ballpark figure of the Coolray and the Territory. However, Geely’s and Ford’s crossovers come with more engine power than Honda’s entry-level HR-V.
The V Turbo, on the other hand, retails at Php 1,598,000. The price difference between the two PH-spec all-new HR-V is significant, which is Php 348,000 to be exact. The odds are also not in favor of the turbo-powered HR-V when compared with its competitors, which could sway buyers to just get the non-turbo HR-V or simply opt to drive home a crossover from its rival car brand.
Despite that, Honda still has a viable challenger with the all-new 2022 HR-V considering all the features it comes with. With the revamped exterior, upscale interior, and boatload of safety features, the all-new HR-V has indeed suited up for the local crossover market.