10 Things You Need To Know About The 2016 Honda HR-V

by Benjamin Hunting

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May 8, 2015

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4 min. Reading Time

Once upon a time, there were almost no players in the subcompact SUV space, with vehicles like the MINI Cooper Countryman and the funky Nissan Juke serving as outliers amongst small haulers. Nowadays, the subcompact space has filled up in earnest, and the 2016 Honda HR-V finds itself facing off against nimble rivals like the Mazda CX-3, off-roaders such as the Jeep Renegade, and luxurious alternatives such as the Buick Encore. Although each of these models have their own strong points, none of them can match the HR-V in terms of cargo hauling capacity and versatility, which should help the Honda maintain an edge amongst utility-focused shoppers.

1. The 2016 Honda HR-V Is An All-New Design

The 2016 Honda HR-V is marketed as an all-new design, but once you peel back its metal skin there's a lot about the subcompact SUV's underpinnings that will be familiar to fans of the brand. Specifically, the Honda HR-V shares its basic platform with the Honda Fit hatchback, a model renowned for its practicality. There are, of course, a number of important differences between the HR-V and the Fit, including a taller ride height, just over nine inches in extra length, and almost three inches of additional width. The vehicle's wheelbase has also been improve by 3.2 inches as compared to the Fit, a fact that will please anyone riding in the SUV's second row.

Photo by Honda

2. The 2016 Honda HR-V Features Magic Seat Capability

One of the most important aspects of the Fit that has been borrowed by the five-passenger 2016 Honda HR-V is its Magic Seat cargo management system. The Honda HR-V's version of Magic Seat allows for the rear row of accommodations to be flipped up, folded completely flat, and split 60/40. There's even a fold-flat front passenger seat that allows for objects that are nearly eight feet in length to be transported by the vehicle. Few subcompact SUVs can match the versatility of Magic Seat, which gives the HR-V a total cargo capacity of 58.8 cubic feet - enough to compete with larger compact haulers, and roughly six extra cubes as compared to the Fit.

3. The 2016 Honda HR-V Provides Frugal Four-Cylinder Power

The 2016 Honda HR-V steps away from the Fit when it comes to its power plant, choosing instead to swipe the larger four-cylinder unit currently found in the Civic sedan. It makes sense to up-size in the engine department, as the Honda HR-V is close to 400 lbs more massive than the Fit hatchback. The 1.8-liter unit that comes standard with the HR-V produces 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, and fuel mileage checks in at a very respectable 28-mpg in stop and go driving and 35-mpg during highway cruising.

4. The 2016 Honda HR-V Offers Two Transmission Choices

If you want to experience the 2016 Honda HR-V at its most efficient, you'll have to opt for the vehicle's available continuously-variable automatic transmission. This gearbox, in addition to its CVT operation, also offers seven 'virtual' ratios that can be accessed via a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddles for sportier performance. A more direct shifting experience is also on offer from the Honda HR-V in the form of its standard six-speed manual transmission, which is available on all but the SUV's top-tier trim level. Driven back-to-back, the CVT model feels somewhat quicker than its clutch-having companion.

5. The 2016 Honda HR-V Is Available With All-Wheel Drive

There's one other factor that might convince you to select a CVT version of the 2016 Honda HR-V: it's required if you want to equip the sport-utility vehicle with optional all-wheel drive. The Honda HR-V's all-wheel drive setup is virtually identical to that of the larger CR-V, which means the rear wheels only receive power if a loss of traction is detected up front. This makes the HR-V's systems useful when dealing with wet roads or snow-covered pavement, but not ideal for heading off the beaten path (which won't be a concern for the majority of HR-V buyers).

6. The 2016 Honda HR-V Can Be Had In Three Trim Levels

The 2016 Honda HR-V starts out in LX trim, which offers Bluetooth connectivity, power windows and door locks, a CD player, a rearview camera, 17-inch rims, and air conditioning (along with an LCD infotainment system). Next up is the Honda HR-V EX, which delivers keyless entry and ignition, an upgraded LCD touchscreen and wide-angle rearview camera, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, heated seats, and a moonroof, followed by the HR-V EX-L Navi, which includes all of the above as well as leather upholstery throughout the cabin, satellite radio, and a navigation system.

7. The 2016 Honda HR-V Dips Into Honda's Accessories Catalogue

If you want to further personalize your 2016 Honda HR-V, you can do so via the automobile's accessories catalogue. The accessories offered for the Honda HR-V range from style-focused, such as different chrome-and-mesh grille, a second set of 17-inch wheels, and chrome trim for the vehicle's side sills, to more practical features like a wind deflector for the moonroof as well as rain guards for the side windows. There are also seven exterior colors offered with the SUV, including a distinctive purple (Mulberry Metallic) and a subdued green (Misty Green Pearl).

8. The 2016 Honda HR-V Is Light On Active Safety Equipment

One area where the 2016 Honda HR-V comes up a bit short is its complement of active safety equipment. In addition to dual forward airbags, side impact airbags up front, and side curtain airbags, the Honda HR-V offers the brand's LaneWatch system, which displays a video image of the area immediately to the right of the vehicle when the turn signal is activated. LaneWatch is offered on EX and EX-L models, but there's no additional safety gear you can order with the SUV: blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning are absent from the features list.

9. The 2016 Honda HR-V Is Reasonably Priced

Care has been taken in pricing the 2016 Honda HR-V so as to attract the widest possible range of potential customers. It's possible to slip behind the wheel of the entry-level Honda HR-V for as little as $19,115, which is a competitive ask for a vehicle from a company with Honda's strong reputation (and more than $4,000 less than the base CR-V). Even loading up the HR-V in its EX-L Navi edition sees the price tag stay under $26,000. At that point, some buyers will definitely be considering similarly-stickered larger fare, but those who appreciate the Honda's small form factor and big practicality will be unlikely to turn their attention upward.