HR-V Review From Australia (3.5 / 5 Stars)

6006 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by ninjapanda, Feb 12, 2015

Dermochelys

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2015

Here's a review of the Australian version. I'm suprised by the 3.5 star rating as they didn't really hammer the HR-V on any big points.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-honda-hr-v-review-first-drive-30976#.VNrtTi6xVoM

Here are my thoughts on some of the more interesting parts of the review.......

1) "Just like the creepy TV ad for the new Honda HR-V, you could be forgiven for thinking you've been woken by a bad dream, pursued by a swarm of city-sized SUVs."

- Creepy TV ad, I really liked the Australian ad, and I don't think it's "creepy" at all.....

2) " The Honda HR-V comes hot on the heels of the Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur and Jeep Renegade unveilings and preview drives.They are part of the fastest growing segment in the new-car market. Officially, they're called SUVs, but in reality they are high-riding hatchbacks....
They're as sensible on a dirt road as high heels."

- I think Renegade owners would disagree. Also, I think there's a difference between "dirt" and true "off-roading"

3) "Genius? No the genius part is that it doesn't cost much to put a hatchback on stilts but we're so slavishly in love with the idea of a bit of extra height (presumably to see past some other SUV in front of us in the traffic) we'll pay up to $5000 more for the privilege."

- He goes on to say that the HR-V does have more going for it than just increased ride height. At least here in the US we don't have many small "cars" that offer big cargo room like other markets seem to have, so I think the HR-V offers a bit more that can't really be found in smaller cars sold here.

4) "The Honda HR-V (yes, you've really got to emphasise the 'R' otherwise it could make for an interesting conversation when asked what car you have)"

- I don't get it???

5) "So it was a pleasant surprise to discover the Honda HR-V is pretty good, straight out of the box."

- That's good to hear

6) "the headlights on the cheapest model are milky and not as good as regular headlights on other cars"

- Listen up Honda, give the USA the nicer headlights!! I wonder how they'll compare to the competition here in the US.

7) "the driver's seat feels a little flat (there is no way to tilt it under thigh), and the car lets in more road noise than normal, depending on the surface."

- Hopefully the seats aren't too bad and the noise is acceptable, things only a test drive can determine for each individual buyer.

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Bicepeak

· #2 · Feb 11, 2015 (Edited)

Dermochelys said:
Here's a review of the Australian version. I'm suprised by the 3.5 star rating as they didn't really hammer the HR-V on any big points.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-honda-hr-v-review-first-drive-30976#.VNrtTi6xVoM

Here are my thoughts on some of the more interesting parts of the review.......

1) "Just like the creepy TV ad for the new Honda HR-V, you could be forgiven for thinking you've been woken by a bad dream, pursued by a swarm of city-sized SUVs."

- Creepy TV ad, I really liked the Australian ad, and I don't think it's "creepy" at all.....

2) " The Honda HR-V comes hot on the heels of the Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur and Jeep Renegade unveilings and preview drives.They are part of the fastest growing segment in the new-car market. Officially, they're called SUVs, but in reality they are high-riding hatchbacks....
They're as sensible on a dirt road as high heels."

- I think Renegade owners would disagree. Also, I think there's a difference between "dirt" and true "off-roading"

3) "Genius? No the genius part is that it doesn't cost much to put a hatchback on stilts but we're so slavishly in love with the idea of a bit of extra height (presumably to see past some other SUV in front of us in the traffic) we'll pay up to $5000 more for the privilege."

- He goes on to say that the HR-V does have more going for it than just increased ride height. At least here in the US we don't have many small "cars" that offer big cargo room like other markets seem to have, so I think the HR-V offers a bit more that can't really be found in smaller cars sold here.

4) "The Honda HR-V (yes, you've really got to emphasise the 'R' otherwise it could make for an interesting conversation when asked what car you have)"

- I don't get it???

5) "So it was a pleasant surprise to discover the Honda HR-V is pretty good, straight out of the box."

- That's good to hear

6) "the headlights on the cheapest model are milky and not as good as regular headlights on other cars"

- Listen up Honda, give the USA the nicer headlights!! I wonder how they'll compare to the competition here in the US.

7) "the driver's seat feels a little flat (there is no way to tilt it under thigh), and the car lets in more road noise than normal, depending on the surface."

- Hopefully the seats aren't too bad and the noise is acceptable, things only a test drive can determine for each individual buyer.

Regarding #4 ....He is referring to how close it sounds to HIV. He is right that some people may snicker at that when you tell them about your new HR-V. Be prepared for that.

I am going to read the review now.

OK...read it. It really is pretty positive. You just have to overlook his cynicism about cars in this class. All in all his reaction to the actual test drive is very good. As far as noise, it may be different here in NA because I heard there is more soundproofing than the Vezel had. This may not be true in the Australian market version.

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Topspot

· #3 · Feb 11, 2015

Where did he learn to spell tire (tyre?)?

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ratboy

· #4 · Feb 11, 2015

Topspot said:
Where did he learn to spell tire (tyre?)?

Some words are spelled differently overseas, and 'tyre' is one of them...

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Topspot

· #5 · Feb 11, 2015

"The $27,990 VTi-S gains automatic emergency braking (slamming the brakes at up to 30km/h, using laser and radar to avoid a rear-end crash) brighter, LED headlights (which switch on and off automatically), blind-spot warning, a side mirror that tilts when you grab reverse (so you don't scratch the 17-inch alloy wheels), rain sensing wipers, fog lights, daytime running lights, and 12V power sockets in the front, middle and rear of the car. The list goes on, but we had to stop otherwise we'd run out of room to explain what the next model gets."

Why can't the US get some of these features?

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Topspot

· #6 · Feb 11, 2015

"The $32,990 VTi-L gains front and rear parking sensors, tap-shifters on the steering wheel to select a ratio in the CVT auto, electrically folding door mirrors, a giant sunroof that covers almost the entire roof (but which still opens, unlike those in some other cars), leather seats, auto up and down windows for all four doors (the other models offer this convenience for the front doors only), dual zone air-conditioning and uniquely designed 17-inch wheels."

Again, why not in the good ole USA?

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Topspot

· #7 · Feb 11, 2015

"For $1000 more you can option lane departure warning, auto dipping high beam and forward crash warning on the VTi-L"

I think I need to move to Australia!

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ddb

· #8 · Feb 11, 2015

Flat driver seat is a deal killer

The inability to tilt the seat cushion to obtain thigh support is a deal killer for me otherwise the pricing of the AU models seem to track the pricing of the American Civic assuming a 1.28 currency conversion factor. Hopefully the driving position in this car is better than the Fit which is very uncomfortable for tall people.

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twget

· #9 · Feb 11, 2015

Bicepeak said:
Regarding #4 ....He is referring to how close it sounds to HIV. He is right that some people may snicker at that when you tell them about your new HR-V. Be prepared for that.

My son calls it the HPV. I suppose that's better than HIV :|

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John

· #10 · Feb 11, 2015

Great review, thanks for posting it.

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tossici

· #11 · Feb 12, 2015

ddb said:
The inability to tilt the seat cushion to obtain thigh support is a deal killer for me otherwise the pricing of the AU models seem to track the pricing of the American Civic assuming a 1.28 currency conversion factor. Hopefully the driving position in this car is better than the Fit which is very uncomfortable for tall people.

It's not clear to me what model was test driven just from reading the review. Don't give up hope until you sit in the EX-L, leather seats tend to be firmer IMO. When I sat in the top of the line FIT on the showroom floor the leather seats seemed rather nice (I'm over 6ft too). But the base model I test drove felt uncomfortable. If I was going to spring for a fit I would gladly pay the extra charge for the leather seating.

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Dermochelys

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 12, 2015

These reviews out of Australia are coming fast and furious, here are two more....

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/60860/2015-honda-hr-v-review-cr-vs-baby-bro-gets-high-marks

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/honda-hrv-first-drive-review-20150212-13bgmm.html

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ninjapanda

· #13 · Feb 12, 2015

The Australian first drive reviews are coming thick and fast because the official launch was on the 10-11 February and the press were invited to attend to drive the vehicles in Tasmania.

Did you get the caradvice one?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/335981/2015-honda-hr-v-review/

Reviews somewhat mirror my experience with the vehicle upon test driving a few weeks ago which I outlined in the Australian thread.

Basically the interior is a cut above expectations but the drive is somewhat disappointing in comparison. Nevertheless overall it is a compelling package.

The Mazda Cx3 launches in Australia next month and from the leaked specs and pricing will provide a good alternative.

Fight for my money!

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