![]() ![]() Honda hasn’t specified if the 2019 model has undergone any chassis tweaks, but it’s obvious that it rides better than before and the NVH feels largely sorted out. Despite having a torsion beam rear axle, it’s fairly obedient, understeering only when pushed hard. The steering is precise and when given a bit more turns, will get the entire chassis to play along. ![]() Using the Jazz’s platform, it’s fun and sporty, but never directly so. On the road, the HR-V behaves largely as you’d expect it to: a mix of Civic and Jazz. That said, the ULTR seats, as Honda officially calls them, sacrifices rear passenger comfort a bit because the cushions there aren’t as long or supportive as you’d expect. ![]() Fitting long, tall, or wide objects don’t seem to faze it at all. Not only that, thanks to Honda’s trick rear seats, there’s an extremely high level of versatility here. Aside from the poorly-engineered and rather flimsy cargo cover, the hold itself is quite huge. Perhaps the only two exceptions to the ergonomic soundness is the touch panel climate control (hard to operate while on the move) and the Kenwood infotainment system (clunky, slow, and confusing to navigate-not to mention, the hands-free mic’s placement looks so tacked on).Īnother one of the HR-V’s strengths lies in its stellar packaging. The gauges may look a bit plain, but they present all the pertinent information clearly and concisely. The steering wheel falls right into hand, and the seats (at least the front ones) cradle the back and bum in all the right ways. It may have been almost 4 years since its re-introduction into the Philippine market, but the HR-V still manages to score well in terms of driving comfort. Get past the HR-V’s rather bizarre-looking dashboard and stuff, and you’re presented with something so typically Honda: an ergonomically-sound driving environment. Oh, and there’s not even an ounce of leather in here, and because it’s often times a visual indicator of luxury, it presents a problem for would-be HR-V buyers. The sportscar mimicking high-set center console, touch-sensitive climate control, and triple air vents on the passenger side looked awesome once, but as with any passing fad, it now comes across as gimmicky. The fit and finish levels are still up there, but the overall design isn’t done in a way that it looks like it’s worth P 1.3-million. Compared to other vehicles in its price range, the HR-V has some difficulty exuding a premium feel. And yes, it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so there’s that.Where the HR-V lags behind is in its interior. As a silver lining, Bluetooth connectivity to this head unit is seamless and handsfree phone calls are loud and clear. While the Kenwood head unit employs a great visual appeal and ease of usage (hooray for volume buttons!), its status as a third party infotainment system poses three problems: the microphone for hands-free calls is sticking out like a sore thumb near the rear view mirror there are no steering wheel-mounted buttons for handsfree calls USB connectivity is cumbersome since the port is located inside the glove box. It’s a third party unit, meaning, it’s added to the vehicle after production. I’m on the fence when it comes to the HR-V’s Kenwood seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with navigation. Nevertheless, the auto brake hold function is heaven-sent in bumper-to-bumper situations. If it’s not too much to ask, though, automatic LED lights and rain-sensing wipers could have given this car a better score. ![]() The mentioned shower of LED lamps is a great touch in aesthetics and function, while the auto up/down driver’s window, keyless entry system, and speed-sensing door locks are just plain convenient. The HR-V is an achiever in its class when it comes to technological features. Although, cargo loading/unloading could have been easier if it has a flat lip. As for space, well, since nothing was changed in the car’s overall dimension, the rear remains to be perfect for those standing 5’7” and below, while the cargo space is still as flexible as the Jazz. Cabin noise has been greatly improved, as well. You can credit that to the soft leather seats and the improved ride comfort brought about by Honda’s magic on its McPherson (front) and axle type (rear) suspension. The new HR-V’s cabin remains to be more than livable staying inside the car for long hours isn’t a dreadful experience. The absence of blue ambient lighting in the cabin looks better in the black-on-black cabin theme, but the lack of rear A/C vents and cupholders at the foldable center armrest are a bit of a downer. For instance, the new leather used is an improvement from before, but the copious amount of piano black plastics is a sure way to attract fingerprints and scratches. Fact is, most of it was a carryover from the outgoing model, having only a few updates that both work for and against the car. It’s a bit of a mixed bag for the 2019 HR-V’s interior. ![]()
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