All the postings are so rah-rah. I think it's important to assess the negatives about the HRV. I keep saying, the HRV isn't descending from Heaven. So I'm starting a thread to list the negatives of the HRV. This isn't marriage - you're allowed to criticize a car and still buy it (no car is perfect).
1. The HRV fuel economy is frankly disappointing. The CX3 guy I talked to said expect 40 MPG (NYC show Mazda rep).
2. The HRV eye height is a bit low. These days, there's a competitive height war on American highways. If you don't sit high, you're blind. The Renegade puts you a good head higher (I've driven one).
3. It'll be choppier and noisier than we expect. I'm basing this on the Australian reviews. And on the fact that it's just a short-wheelbase car.
4. It's a hair too expensive for what you get. A good counterpoint here is the Kia Soul, which you can get for $18,000 nicely loaded. That's before you get your $3,000 discount. I'm assuming an HRV starting price of $20,000. Think about that for a minute - if you can accept a bit of ugly, you can get a similarly-equipped Soul+ for $15,000 vs an HRV at $22,000+. Boy, I can think of things to do with $7,000 in my pocket.
5. The restrictions are weird and frustrating. Gray cloth interiors mainly CVT only? No sat radio unless you buy the highest trim? All makers have restrictions, but these are really annoying.
6. Little or no dealing. Unless you use a buying service or wait, you probably won't be getting much of a discount. I don't know that, but I'm listening to what you've been telling me. For comparison, walk into a Jeep or Kia dealer and get $3,000 off MSRP almost without asking.
7. Incredible demand and they know it. They're not stupid. They know they can sell as many as they make the first year. So again you're at a disadvantage walking in the door.
8. The interior is a bit cheap-looking. I've sat in the thing at NYC. Not gross, but kind of cheap. And that big vent is really ugly.
9. It's quite under powered compared to the competition. 141 HP to motivate 2,800 lbs is not a lot of oomph.
There, that's all the negatives I can think of. Betcha I still buy one this summer...
1. The HRV fuel economy is frankly disappointing. The CX3 guy I talked to said expect 40 MPG (NYC show Mazda rep).
2. The HRV eye height is a bit low. These days, there's a competitive height war on American highways. If you don't sit high, you're blind. The Renegade puts you a good head higher (I've driven one).
3. It'll be choppier and noisier than we expect. I'm basing this on the Australian reviews. And on the fact that it's just a short-wheelbase car.
4. It's a hair too expensive for what you get. A good counterpoint here is the Kia Soul, which you can get for $18,000 nicely loaded. That's before you get your $3,000 discount. I'm assuming an HRV starting price of $20,000. Think about that for a minute - if you can accept a bit of ugly, you can get a similarly-equipped Soul+ for $15,000 vs an HRV at $22,000+. Boy, I can think of things to do with $7,000 in my pocket.
5. The restrictions are weird and frustrating. Gray cloth interiors mainly CVT only? No sat radio unless you buy the highest trim? All makers have restrictions, but these are really annoying.
6. Little or no dealing. Unless you use a buying service or wait, you probably won't be getting much of a discount. I don't know that, but I'm listening to what you've been telling me. For comparison, walk into a Jeep or Kia dealer and get $3,000 off MSRP almost without asking.
7. Incredible demand and they know it. They're not stupid. They know they can sell as many as they make the first year. So again you're at a disadvantage walking in the door.
8. The interior is a bit cheap-looking. I've sat in the thing at NYC. Not gross, but kind of cheap. And that big vent is really ugly.
9. It's quite under powered compared to the competition. 141 HP to motivate 2,800 lbs is not a lot of oomph.
There, that's all the negatives I can think of. Betcha I still buy one this summer...