[FONT="]I picked up my new HR-V 2017 LX AWD yesterday, and I would like to report my initial impressions. Of course only having it for 24 hours doesn’t give any long-term verification of my very short experience! So bear with me![/FONT]
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[FONT="]First, it is a very stylish little car that has much going for it. It feels responsive on the road and is roomy and comfortable. I am satisfied with the radio, Bluetooth, and air conditioning system. I am short (5’2”), so I have the seat pumped all the way up so that I can oversee what’s going on around me. I feel very comfortable and secure in the seat, but I wish the passenger seat also had a pump. The person sitting there looks rather low compared to my position. My other disappointment is the lack of storage space in the front. I am coming from a little Toyota Scion XA that I had for almost 12 years, and that little dynamo had tons of storage. With the HR-V, I am forced to downsize tremendously, which may not be a bad thing. At least that is what I am telling myself. I’m trying to stay on the bright side.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]However, I have two more not-so-positive observations that I hope will change with usage over time. Even though the HR-V feels responsive, I do notice sluggishness on acceleration. It’s like a short drag until it gets to about 40-50 mph. Perhaps it’s the CVT transmission. Regardless, it’s noticeable and disappointing. My Scion was a stick shift with only 103hp, but it had more immediate pickup. And that brings me to my second not-so-positive observation. However, this one is no fault of the HR-V, so I can’t blame the car. In all my years of driving (about 40), I have only owned manual transmission cars. This is my first automatic. I really wanted a manual HR-V, but I live in New York, and every dealer I went to told me that I would not be able to get a manual transmission in the Northeast because Honda does not sell 2WD here and the manual HR-V is 2WD. They told me they are only available in the South, and they don’t order them. They also said that if I were to find one here, it’s because it was delivered by mistake. That was a constant from all the dealerships I went to without exception. So I resigned myself to buying the CVT. And after only one day, I REALLY miss my stick shift, which makes my new car experience a bittersweet one. Once you’ve driven a stick for so many years, there’s just no comparison. Again, I am hoping I can adjust because I really want to fully enjoy this car.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]In spite of the negatives so far, I do like the car in general, and I’m hoping that I will come to love it. Only time will tell.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]First, it is a very stylish little car that has much going for it. It feels responsive on the road and is roomy and comfortable. I am satisfied with the radio, Bluetooth, and air conditioning system. I am short (5’2”), so I have the seat pumped all the way up so that I can oversee what’s going on around me. I feel very comfortable and secure in the seat, but I wish the passenger seat also had a pump. The person sitting there looks rather low compared to my position. My other disappointment is the lack of storage space in the front. I am coming from a little Toyota Scion XA that I had for almost 12 years, and that little dynamo had tons of storage. With the HR-V, I am forced to downsize tremendously, which may not be a bad thing. At least that is what I am telling myself. I’m trying to stay on the bright side.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]However, I have two more not-so-positive observations that I hope will change with usage over time. Even though the HR-V feels responsive, I do notice sluggishness on acceleration. It’s like a short drag until it gets to about 40-50 mph. Perhaps it’s the CVT transmission. Regardless, it’s noticeable and disappointing. My Scion was a stick shift with only 103hp, but it had more immediate pickup. And that brings me to my second not-so-positive observation. However, this one is no fault of the HR-V, so I can’t blame the car. In all my years of driving (about 40), I have only owned manual transmission cars. This is my first automatic. I really wanted a manual HR-V, but I live in New York, and every dealer I went to told me that I would not be able to get a manual transmission in the Northeast because Honda does not sell 2WD here and the manual HR-V is 2WD. They told me they are only available in the South, and they don’t order them. They also said that if I were to find one here, it’s because it was delivered by mistake. That was a constant from all the dealerships I went to without exception. So I resigned myself to buying the CVT. And after only one day, I REALLY miss my stick shift, which makes my new car experience a bittersweet one. Once you’ve driven a stick for so many years, there’s just no comparison. Again, I am hoping I can adjust because I really want to fully enjoy this car.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]In spite of the negatives so far, I do like the car in general, and I’m hoping that I will come to love it. Only time will tell.[/FONT]
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