Superstar F1 driver gives you a quick tour of 2022 Honda HR-V 

Updated Oct 05, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Max Verstappen took the HR-V for a spin.

In February, Honda unveiled the all-new 2022 HR-V. It has already debuted in Japan, and it is now sold in a number of countries around the globe. So by now, many of us are familiar with its sharp new looks.  

A picture of the new HR-V

The 2022 Honda HR-V

But to provide an even better look at the new HR-V, Honda has brought in F1 superstar driver Max Verstappen who then took the plug-in hybrid (e:HEV) version of the HR-V for a quick spin. Let’s check it out: 

Max Verstappen drives the new Honda HR-V e:HEV [Video Source: Honda]

As we can see from the video, Verstappen first showcases the HR-V's kick-activated rear door, which can then be closed via a button. We also got a glimpse of the vehicle’s generous cargo space. He then boarded the car, started it, and took it for a spirited drive on countryside roads. 

Judging from the video, the HR-V e:HEV is actually pretty agile. It was stable on corners, and it even handled unpaved roads with ease. Verstappen even parked the Honda-made crossover in the middle of a field. 

With all that said, this short but sweet video shows the capabilities of the electrified HR-V. Its 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline mill that’s paired with an electric motor appears quick and responsive, and its electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) can actually handle a bit of hooning as well.  

A picture of the Honda HR-V on a countryside road.

It looks like the new HR-V can take corners pretty well

As a side note, Verstappen is obviously a professional, so don’t attempt what he's doing with your own car, crossover, or what have you. 

To this end, we are pretty excited about the new HR-V, and we can’t wait to take it out for a spin once it arrives on Philippine shores. So while it is yet to be confirmed by Honda Cars Philippines, there’s a good chance that it will be launched locally. 

And yeah, for those among you who don’t know who Max Verstappen is, he is a Belgian-Dutch F1 driver who is currently with the Red Bull Racing team.  

He currently ranks second in the current F1 season with a total of 244.5 points and 11 podium wins. Depending on how he does in the next race, it is possible that he will be crowned champion this year. The only barrier to this, of course, is Mercedes AMG Petronas’ driver Lewis Hamilton who is currently in first place and holds seven drivers’ championships on his resume.  

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Know more about Honda HR-V 2024

Honda HR-V

The 2024 Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover. In the Philippine market, it has two variants. The top-spec RS Turbo CVT is priced at Php 1,759,000. The mid-spec trim meanwhile, is the HR-V V Turbo CVT and it is priced at Php 1,649,000. The entry-level HR-V S CVT meanwhile is priced at Php 1,389,000.

For engines, the HR-V V Turbo and the RS Turbo use a 1.5-liter engine capable of making 174 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. The HR-V S also uses a 1.5-liter mill, but it is naturally aspirated. In turn, its output is rated at 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. All three trims use a continuously variable transmission sending power to its front wheels. 

Size-wise, the HR-V V and RS are 4,385mm long, while the HR-V S is 4,330mm long. All three come with a width of 1,790mm, and a height of 1,590mm. Both also have a wheelbase length of 2,610mm. The top-spec V gets a ground clearance of 181mm, whereas the HR-V S has more at 196mm. 

Locally, the HR-V competes against the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona, Subaru XV, Toyota Corolla Cross, Ford Territory, among others.  

 

Honda HR-V Launch

Back in June 2015, the Honda HR-V was launched in the Philippines. To complement Honda's compact crossover - the CR-V, they introduced the Honda HR-V, their company's subcompact crossover to the country's market. On August 23, 2018, the facelifted crossover was launched that includes an updated lighting system up front and rear part, a new RS trim level that brings a blacked-out grille together with new 2-tone wheels.

In 2022, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. brought in the third generation model for the local market. It is offered in two different variants. There's the top-spec HR-V V Turbo, and the entry-level HR-V S. Later at the 2022 PIMS in September, the RS Turbo was unveiled.

Honda HR-V Exterior

On the outside, the top-spec HR-V RS, HR-V V, and the entry-level HR-V S are all equipped with LED headlamps, LED taillights, and LED fog lamps. The HR-V V and RS variant then gets auto-folding side mirrors, a sportier bumper set, and a sportier-looking spoiler. The RS is the only variant that comes with sequential turn signal indicators.

Both the V and the S ride on a set of 17-inch wheels, while the RS gets a larger 18-inch set.

Honda HR-V exterior

Honda HR-V side end

Honda HR-V rear end

Honda HR-V headlight

Honda HR-V wheel

Honda HR-V taillight

Honda HR-V Interior

The 2024 HR-V can seat up to five. Its occupants are then kept comfortable with an automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents. The top-spec trim in particular ups the premium feel of the model with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. 

Rearwards, both trims get a 60:40 split-type ULT seat. It shares this feature with the City Hatchback, so it also gets long-mode and tall-mode seat configurations. 

Honda HR-V dashboard

Honda HR-V interior

Technology & Safety Features

All HR-V trims for the Philippines come standard with the Honda Sensing Safety suite. This means that all are kitted out with adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, road departure assist, auto high beams, and lead car departure notification. 

The HR-V RS, HR-V V, and HR-V S also get anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution, hill-descent, and hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors, stability control, speed sensing door locks, a reverse camera, among other features. 

Entertainment is then handled by an eight-inch touchscreen, which for both trims gets a six-piece speaker system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and audio streaming. The top-spec HR-V RS and the V do get a wireless smartphone charger which isn’t present on the HR-V S. 

Platform & Chassis

The all-new 2024 Honda HR-V uses the Honda Global Small Car platform. Like its predecessor though, the Philippine-spec version retains a front-engine/front-wheel-drive layout. 

For suspensions, it uses a MacPherson strut for the front and an axle-type suspension for the rear. Braking for this model is then handled by disc brakes for all four wheels, and it also uses an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function. 

Engine & Drivetrain

Powering the top-spec HR-V RS and the mid-spec V is a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that can output 174 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the entry-level HR-V S uses a naturally aspirated inline-4 that is good for 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. 

Regardless of configuration, the HR-V comes standard with a continuously variable transmission with a paddle shifter manual mode. 

Only the top-spec RS and the V get a sports driving mode, though all HR-V trims have access to a normal mode and economy mode. 

For the Philippines, the all-new 2024 Honda HR-V can come in six different colors. These are Red Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Ignite Red, Premium Opal White Silver Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Grey. 

In terms of on-board features and safety features, the new 2024 HR-V is now on-par with most of its competitors. The turbocharged variant in particular also ranks as among the most powerful models within its segment and price range. 

Honda HR-V Pros & Cons

 Pros Cons
 
  • Lively engine

  • Plenty of features

  • Practical

  •  Rear seat headroom is not the best

 

Honda HR-V Q&A

1. Which one is cheaper: the Honda HR-V or the Honda CR-V?

Honda HR-V is. The highest price of HR-V is Php1,759,000 meanwhile CR-V price is Php 2,100,000 - 2,610,000.

2. Is the Honda HR-V a reliable car?

Yes, it is. The Reliability Rating of this car is 5/5 and the HR-V also ranks 1st out of 7 for subcompact SUVs.

3. What does the HR-V stand for on Honda?

HR-V means High-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle.

4. How many variants of the Honda HR-V are sold in the Philippines?

The HR-V Philippines has 3 variants: The HR-V RS (Php 1,759,000), HR-V V Turbo CVT (Php 1,649,000), and HR-V S CVT (Php 1,389,000).

 

₱ 1,389,000 - ₱ 1,739,000

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Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

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