2020 Honda HR-V: Review, Specs and Price in UAE

The 2020 Honda HR-V is bold and blends the beautiful lines of a coupé with the practical space and relative toughness of an SUV. As a result you get a cute crossover that catches the eye and stirs the heart. If I had any authority to give the Crossover of the year award, it would have gone straight to this beautiful HR-V. We had the HR-V EX trim for a week, it went through rigorous testing. A few trips to the supermarket, a long drive with friends and a picnic with family. It passed with flying colors and I had to return it back to Trading Enterprises with a heavy heart. The Honda HR-V is front-wheel drive, driven by a 7-speed fully-automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). I am not a big fan of CVT transmissions but if one car manufacturer has got it right, it has to be Honda. With the CVT transmission, you have the ability to drive the car in a relaxed, automatic mode or, if the mood takes you, change gear using the racing car-inspired, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The acceleration response and handling on the sport mode is commendable to say the least. Overall handling, suspension, driving dynamics are satisfactory. The HR-V rides low as compared to other crossovers in its class, has minimal wind resistance and performs well on sharp bends. The HR-V engine offers a great deal of performance with a basic 1.8 Liter 4 cylinder configuration. It features a responsive 140 horse power which maximizes economy and efficiency, achieving 16.9 km/l, or over 800 km on a tank of fuel.  Packed with driver assist technologies, like Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution and Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body Structure, it has many features to aid the driver and enhance passenger protection. The acceleration response using the paddle shifters and the sport mode is nifty. We did the customary 0-100 dash and it came up to be a little over 10 seconds.

Honda HR-V Specs:

Engine: 1.8 Liter – 4 Cylinders i-VTECH Horsepower: 140 Bhp Torque: 172 Nm Drive System: Front Wheel Drive Transmission: 7 Speed – Automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Exterior:

On the exterior, the Honda HR-V looks elegant and rugged at the same time. Fluid lines all around the body work make the car look a bit dramatic but, more importantly, make it aerodynamic and hence fuel-efficient. New design details like its distinctive dark chrome front grille, sleek headlights, daytime running lights (DRL) rear chrome trim and sporty front bumper give it strong look. The HR-V has 17 inch alloy wheels, a shark fin antenna, power folding side mirrors and front & rear fog lights. In the rear we have a high mounted LED stop light, a body color tailgate spoiler and sleek tail lights.

Interior:

The HR-V cockpit is simple and neat, yet it ensures that everything is where you need it. There is minimal wind and road noise inside the cabin even at high speeds.  The cabin is a mix of leather and other dark synthetic premium materials. There are paddle shifters behind the steering wheel that also houses audio control buttons. The front row seating is spacious and comfortable. The driver display is a basic TFT screen that shows engine rpm, speed and other vital info about the trip. The infotainment system is operated by a 6.8 inch basic touchscreen and is connected to a 4 speaker system. It features a multi angle reversing camera, bluetooth phone connectivity and an HDMI interface. Overall, the center console is very neat and clutter free with decent amount of cubby space. The AC on the HR-V will make even the hottest summer days pleasant inside the cabin. Loveliest part of the HR-V interior is the panoramic sunroof. The second row has magic seats with an option to recline and a 60:40 arrangement. The seats can easily be folded away to increase the luggage space.

2020 Honda HR-V price in UAE: Starting from AED 64,900

The car we tested, EX trim is priced at AED 89,000 and absolutely worth the money.