[Bicepeak]

Went shopping , so to speak, this morning.
Stopped at a Honda dealer to see what they knew about the HR-V. (Nothing)


While I was there , I saw tons of Fits which is a good sign meaning production is going well. Looking at the Fit in Modern Steel, I decided it was too dark. I noticed the white seem to make the Fit appear larger (and taller). Decided that white is what I will choose for sure now.


Then I decided to stop by a Mazda dealer and look at the CX5. I had looked at them a while ago and forgot if front seat folded flat. It did, so it passed my important test. Generally pleased with the fit and finish on the Sport (base) model. I noted that the white was a $200 extra on the Sport. But as the salesman explained, they often just knock that price off making the deal. (A great young man I did a great deal of car talk with...What I call the new breed of low pressure salesman). One drawback ...it seemed a bit more awkward to get in and out of the back seats. Not terrible, just not smooth.


So today I decided it will be very crucial how the HRV is priced. If it goes at $21000 or higher, I am afraid I will just go with the CX-5. ( Going to check the RAV 4 tomorrow....I don't think the seat folds back very far, however)


But there is something that hasn't been talked much about. Noise.
Consumer reports has the CRV, CX5 and RAV 4 as fairly noisy cars.
I remember way back hearing the US market HR-V would have sound deadening material the Vezel did not have. Seems like a small thing, but it could really swing me back to the HR-V. Could actually be unique in that respect in the CUV field.

 

[Dermochelys]

Wow, I thought you were a HR-V buyer for sure, but it's good that you're cross shopping (as I plan to do as well).

I drove the CX-5 both in the base engine manual and in the larger engine. I thought it was ok and haven't really driven much else to compare it to.

The big downside for me on the CX-5 is that the rear seat does not fold flat, not even close. I'd say it's at a 30 degree angle, and I think that really limits what you can carry (especially a dog) with the seats folded. This is a big concern for me, so the CX-5 is a bit further down on my own list of potential rivals.

 

[Bicepeak]

Wow, I thought you were a HR-V buyer for sure, but it's good that you're cross shopping (as I plan to do as well).

I drove the CX-5 both in the base engine manual and in the larger engine. I thought it was ok and haven't really driven much else to compare it to.

The big downside for me on the CX-5 is that the rear seat does not fold flat, not even close. I'd say it's at a 30 degree angle, and I think that really limits what you can carry (especially a dog) with the seats folded. This is a big concern for me, so the CX-5 is a bit further down on my own list of potential rivals.

That is strange....it folded flat for me. Well maybe just a slight slant, but then with my weight on it slightly it was completely flat. The front passenger seat back folded down most definitely held it flat. Are you certain the headrests weren't hitting the front seat backs a bit ? ( I did remove those but even then the passenger side was flat without headrest removal) The flat floor is a big part of what sold me , so I am surprised at your "30 degree angle" experience.


Perhaps I will stop by that dealer again and photograph and post it here.


Honestly, I am not insane.....my mother had me tested.

 

[mwd]

I was looking (online) yesterday at other cars I want to test drive. Looking into doing it maybe this weekend. I want to be able to have my top choice decided so when the HR-V comes out I will know which one I will definitely want.


But not so sure about your production thoughts as I just saw this...



Althea Granger
Yesterday at 7:46pmhttps://www.facebook.com/HondaSeekonkHRV#
Hey Honda, No updates yet ???

1Like · Comment · Share

• 
  Remove
  Honda HR-V Hello Althea, Thanks for joining in. It's looking like May/June for the bulk of the first arrivals. The plan was April although that has been pushed back a bit. Stay tuned.
  7 hours ago
  
  
  
  
  

 

[Bicepeak]

Earliest I heard from my local dealer was April 20th, only ten days a way from May. So your dealer is not that much different with that. June would be disappointing for sure after our already LONG wait.


I am still hoping I will at least get to see an earlier example as my dealer thought might happen. She said she would contact me if that happens.

 

[mwd]

I haven't even contacted my local dealers, figured they wouldn't have an idea like most. That was just on the general Honda FB page.

 

[mwd]

Just contacted one of my local dealers, she says they expect them next month.

 

[Bicepeak]

Just contacted one of my local dealers, she says they expect them next month.

Ok....good that we are seeing the same time line.

 

[Bicepeak]

my other choice is just keep my xB going.
It suits me perfectly and does all I want it to do.
But then at 226000 miles something major is bound to break.

I take pretty good care of it but I noticed my mpg had been dropping to 29 mpg highway. It dawned on me that I don't remember ever changing the spark plugs. Had that done and last fill up revealed 34.5 mpg in LA freeway driving. Happy about that and has me thinking about keeping it.

That may all go out the window if Honda prices an LX low enough. Excitement would carry me away then.

 

[Tower]

Cx5 - no guts

Wow, I thought you were a HR-V buyer for sure, but it's good that you're cross shopping (as I plan to do as well).

I drove the CX-5 both in the base engine manual and in the larger engine. I thought it was ok and haven't really driven much else to compare it to.

The big downside for me on the CX-5 is that the rear seat does not fold flat, not even close. I'd say it's at a 30 degree angle, and I think that really limits what you can carry (especially a dog) with the seats folded. This is a big concern for me, so the CX-5 is a bit further down on my own list of potential rivals.

Hi
Had to jump in. Had the cx5 out lately. Big vehicle/ small engine. If it is done well it can work. Not in this case - heading up the highway at 100km/ hr - 60mph ish - road was flat as a lake - into a headwind , just me in the vehicle. Thing kept up shifting and down shifting every time it gusted, unbelievable- have never experienced anything like it - constantly changing gears because if a little wind ? A very weird experience. That's just bad design.

 

[Bicepeak]

Hi
Had to jump in. Had the cx5 out lately. Big vehicle/ small engine. If it is done well it can work. Not in this case - heading up the highway at 100km/ hr - 60mph ish - road was flat as a lake - into a headwind , just me in the vehicle. Thing kept up shifting and down shifting every time it gusted, unbelievable- have never experienced anything like it - constantly changing gears because if a little wind ? A very weird experience. That's just bad design.

Thanks for the report. I would be getting the manual in any case.

 

[Dermochelys]

OK, I did some digging on the rear seat issue. It turns out the rear seats in the Sport trim are different than in the Touring trim. In the Sport trim they do not fold flat, but in Touring they fold much closer to flat. I tried to post some comparison photos, but I'm typing from my phone and couldn't get it to work.

 

[Dermochelys]

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/de...h/02/f8/1356316021_1463_7 2.JPG?itok=I5ojJ_ug

Sport trim

http://atthelights.com/store/uploads/2012/08/2012-mazda-cx-5-interior-boot-seats-down.jpg

Touring trim

 

[Ex-cape]

I too, have an aging vehicle to replace. I have been shopping the CX-5 for a couple of years, but keep bailing on a purchase due to the lackluster options on the manual Sport. Unfortunately, the 2016 CX-5 specs are also a no-go for me. The Canadian CX-5 can be bought in a configuration I could tolerate, but not the U.S. model. So, I await the HR-V configurator.

 

[Bicepeak]

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/de...h/02/f8/1356316021_1463_7 2.JPG?itok=I5ojJ_ug

Sport trim

http://atthelights.com/store/uploads/2012/08/2012-mazda-cx-5-interior-boot-seats-down.jpg

Touring trim

Thanks for the pictures. I was trying to remember if I had tried folding the seats in both the Sport and Touring. I was pretty sure the Touring folded flat, but I may not have tried that in the sport too. I am going to stop by that dealer this morning. I did yesterday and I think it was too early and they were busy washing all the cars, so I was unable to get them unlocked.


I am only considering other options now because I fear the LX will be priced so high that it will be within a thousand dollars of larger, more useful vehicles. In the CX-5 case, may be the exact price and just as fuel efficient. I have to look at all options. There are already other details I didn't like about the CX-5, but that may also be true of the HR-V when we at last get a chance to ACTUALLY view one.

 

[mwd]

Thanks for the pictures. I was trying to remember if I had tried folding the seats in both the Sport and Touring. I was pretty sure the Touring folded flat, but I may not have tried that in the sport too. I am going to stop by that dealer this morning. I did yesterday and I think it was too early and they were busy washing all the cars, so I was unable to get them unlocked.


I am only considering other options now because I fear the LX will be priced so high that it will be within a thousand dollars of larger, more useful vehicles. In the CX-5 case, may be the exact price and just as fuel efficient. I have to look at all options. There are already other details I didn't like about the CX-5, but that may also be true of the HR-V when we at last get a chance to ACTUALLY view one.

What other ones have you looked at/test driven?

 

[Bicepeak]

What other ones have you looked at/test driven?

I have looked at all small SUVs in the past year. I have not test driven any yet because I am mostly studying configurations at this point. I am just feeling the need to go back and take a second look at them. From there, test drives will help me eliminate alternatives.


There is still a very good chance I will come right back to the HR-V. I may just decide to keep my current car until it dies....who knows....

 

[mainemanx]

Although I never signed-up ... as Honda has previously simply forwarded my info to the pestering local dealer ... today I received the following from Honda:

"Thanks for signing up to receive updates on the HR-V Crossover. To be among the first to know when the HR-V is available in your area, please complete your registration here."
It may however, be yet another indication that THE day is approaching

 

[mwd]

Although I never signed-up ... as Honda has previously simply forwarded my info to the pestering local dealer ... today I received the following from Honda:

"Thanks for signing up to receive updates on the HR-V Crossover. To be among the first to know when the HR-V is available in your area, please complete your registration here."
It may however, be yet another indication that THE day is approaching

When you click on it for completion, it just took me to the Honda HRV website, which I already signed up for..

 

[Bicepeak]

I have look at a lot of vehicles now.


Confirmed that the sport seats do not fold as flat as the Touring CX-5. There are enough other things I don't like, so probably wouldn't go with that.


Looked at the Trax. Was pretty cheap and kind of loose regarding construction.
Didn't seem very roomy either. No sale.


Ruled out the CR-V a while ago. I am not married with children , so I would feel funny driving a mini-van. Tried, but just can't warm up to it's looks. Back seats flip forward , so it is impossible to lower the passenger seat back enough.


The RAV-4 also disappointed because the front passenger seat did not fold back very far. I really liked everything about it otherwise . There are tons of them driving around southern California and I am liking them more and more.
Gas mileage is not spectacular compared to the HR-V so that dampers things a bit.


The Crosstrek and Forester also looked good to me. Not priced badly either . Wish I could be assured the oil problem was solved.


I sure hope Honda doesn't price the LX too high, or I will be stuck.
May have to wait until Toyota comes out with it's version.