While the local auto scene has grown with new players stepping in, popular opinion still tends to favor established brands. Many car owners still swear by Japanese marques, for instance, when asked about the prospect of considering models from Chinese automakers.
The Honda HR-V and Geely Coolray in head-on collision
This Japan-versus-China debate is very much alive in the subcompact crossover class. Geely has been a prominent contender in this category for some time now with the Coolray, challenging the foothold of more established offerings such as the HR-V from Honda.
Ever wonder how will these two fare in an actual showdown? The Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) decided to find out - with a crash test, of course. Both models already have five-star ratings under their belts, as evaluated by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP).
Notice some buckling on the HR-V's A-pillar and front door
However, the HR-V in question is the outgoing model released in 2013, and tested under ASEAN NCAP’s old scoring system. On the other hand, the Coolray made its debut in 2018, and its perfect score garnered just last year (by way of its Proton X50 badge-engineered version in Malaysia) was attained using the new rating scale.
The duel called for the two crossovers to smash into each other, simulating a head-on collision at a combined speed of 120 km/h. Both units were total wrecks at the end of the demonstration, with their engine bays completely shot while deploying the airbags for the front occupants. Nevertheless, each vehicle amply demonstrated how and why they earned their respective safety assessments.
In contrast, the Coolray sustained no visible deformation in the same areas
Interestingly, the HR-V’s door frame near the A-pillar had some noticeable buckling, along with the sheet metal on the driver’s side door visibly crumpling at the moment of impact. In contrast, the Coolray’s passenger cell had little to no obvious deformation on the A-pillar, and the front left door was largely untouched. There was some intrusion of the floor panel, less evident on the Coolray than it was on the HR-V.
As the two models were released just half a decade apart, it’s an impressive showing of how much automotive safety technology has evolved in that span of time. The test also proves it’s how the product delivers, regardless of what badge it bears and which country it comes from.
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Know more about Honda HR-V 2024
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 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.
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
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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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