Subcompact crossover Honda HR-V (Honda HRV) was created in 1998 based on the Logo model. At the time of its appearance, it was a revolutionary car that combined the advantages of a cross-country vehicle (high ground clearance, roomy trunk, high seating position) and a comfortable urban compact car (small dimensions, good maneuverability, fuel efficiency). The first generation model received a light restyling in 2001 and was produced until 2006, after which it was discontinued. The second generation was launched only 9 years later, in 2015.
Despite some shortcomings of the 1st generation Honda SHRV, the car turned out to be interesting and outstanding. In numerous positive reviews from the owners, its reliability, excellent build quality, and indestructibility of the suspension are noted. And, of course, the original exterior, which distinguishes it from a number of faceless cars of the same type. But every technique has its pros and cons.
Weaknesses of the Honda HR-V
- Engine;
- Body;
- Transmission;
- Suspension;
- Salon.
The car was equipped with only two engine options, both petrol 4-cylinders of the same volume: 1.6 i SOHC with a capacity of 105 hp. and 1.6 i SOHC VTEC with 124 hp. Engines in the Honda tradition are reliable and high-revving, both spin up to 7000 rpm. But their power at low speeds is not enough. For more or less acceptable dynamics, the tachometer needle has to be kept above 4000 rpm, and this leads to an increase in fuel consumption. You can’t call this car economical, the consumption in the city reaches 12 l / 100 km. Yes, and oil consumption after 3000 rpm increases markedly.
The line is clearly lacking a more powerful gasoline engine. A lot of fans would be added to the HR-V and in the presence of a diesel engine. But what is not, is not.
There are two bodies: a three-door, which was discontinued in 2003, and a five-door. Body imperfections are typical for a compact car. These are even, rather, features: the rear seats are a little cramped, the ceiling is low, the trunk is small. The standard 45 Ah battery is rather weak during operation in cold winters, and installing a larger capacity battery is problematic, since there is no place for it under the hood. For those who are strongly affected by these shortcomings, it is wiser to simply opt for a machine of a different dimension.
There are also two transmission options: a five-speed manual and a stepless variator. And here the lack of a full-fledged automatic gearbox upsets. The manual transmission works reliably, the gears shift clearly, but all gears are quite short and you have to constantly drive the engine at high speeds. Yes, and we are gradually weaning from shifting gears manually, the automatic is still more comfortable.
As for the variator, it is not bad, it switches quite quickly and has a sports mode that provides good dynamics. But the design of the variator itself does not imply constant operation in harsh conditions, it requires high-quality and timely maintenance, including an expensive oil change operation. And even in this case, its resource is less than that of traditional boxes. In addition, in winter, the variator must be warmed up for quite a long time before starting to move.
Chassis
The crossover is available in two versions: 2WD with front-wheel drive only or 4WD - all-wheel drive version with rear-wheel drive automatically connected when the front wheels start to slip. In the case of 4WD, the costs of changing the oil in the rear axle gearbox and maintaining the DPS torque distribution system should be added to the list of fixed costs.
The cross-country ability is surprisingly good, the car confidently overcomes urban obstacles, and it is not afraid of the primer. The short base works to increase cross-country ability, but there is also a downside to the coin - on speed bumps, the back is thrown up so that a passenger in the back seat can hit his head on the ceiling. And do not forget that the crossover is not a full-fledged SUV. It does not have any locks, no center differential, downshift and other mandatory attributes of a serious off-road fighter. Honda HR-V is not suitable for extreme sports, in essence it is a city car.
In the tradition of the Honda company to make the suspension of their cars stiff for better handling and dynamics at the expense of ride comfort. The Honda HR-V is no exception. The suspension is stiff, with deep travel, impenetrable and indestructible, but when driving, every bump on the road is felt.
Salon Spartan, you can’t call it comfortable. Hard plastic, uncomfortable seats without height adjustment. The steering wheel is height adjustable, but there is no reach adjustment, so not everyone will be able to adjust the driver's seat for themselves. The panels fit neatly in Japanese style, there are no “crickets”. But if they were, it would be impossible to hear them on the go, since there is practically no sound insulation in the cabin.
Disadvantages of the 1st generation Honda HRV
- First of all, this, of course, is the variator - the main sore of the model. The resource of the variator, even with proper operation, does not exceed 70,000 - 100,000 km, so be careful when buying a used HR-V. The oil must be checked twice, on a cold and on a warm variator. The level should be correct, the oil should not be cloudy, dark. Bad signs are the smell of burning and foreign inclusions in the oil. Additionally, the variator must be checked on the go, carefully monitoring the absence of jerks and shocks. If the results are suspicious, the best advice would be to stop buying.
- A manual transmission can also fail prematurely. To repair or replace the box, you must be prepared if there are difficulties with the reverse gear.
- In the vulnerable places of the Honda HR-V, the rear axle gearbox (for all-wheel drive versions) should also be added, which in a fully serviceable car should not make extraneous sounds. Reducer wear is accelerated if different tires are on the rear wheels.
Outcome.
In general, the Honda HR-V is a reliable, predictable and unpretentious machine. But very small, so when choosing "HR-V or CR-V" in most cases, the decision is made in favor of the CR-V model, which is half a meter longer and 250 kg heavier.
Do you know anything about the Honda HR-V? It was this model that became one of the first and introduced the fashion for small crossovers. But at that time, clients were not yet ready for such a bold project. Deciphering the designation HR-V makes you smile: Hybrid Recreation Vehicle, which in free translation means a multi-purpose touring vehicle. Is it as versatile as its name suggests?
Model History
The prototype Honda HR-V concept J-WJ debuted in 1997 during an exhibition in Tokyo. Other than the powertrain, interior and a few minor body parts, the car did not differ much from the production version. The crossover was built on the basis of a small Logo model (the predecessor of the Honda Jazz) and went on sale in the fall of 1998.
At first, the car was offered only in a 3-door body with a 105-horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engine. A year later, a 5-door version appeared. In 2001, the range was replenished with a 125-horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline unit with a variable valve timing system VTEC.
A year later, Honda has undergone minor changes. First of all, new headlights and bumpers appeared, as well as improved quality of finishing materials. The car was assembled in Japan until 2006.
Engines
Petrol:
R4 1.6 (105 HP);
R4 1.6 VTEC (125 hp).
The bold design suggests that the crossover is equipped with a small but very groovy motor. Unfortunately, this is only an appearance. You should not count on a large reserve of traction. The base power unit has only 105 hp. - Overtaking on the highway is difficult for him. Sprint up to a hundred takes as much as 12 seconds, and at high speeds there is practically no dynamics. Fuel consumption is also not exemplary. Modification with front axle drive in the city burns a little more than 11 liters per 100 km, and with an all-wheel drive system, about 1 liter more.
In the case of a 125-horsepower engine, the situation looks somewhat better. However, despite the variable valve timing system, the engine clearly lacks power at low revs. To drive well, you need to keep high speeds all the time. But this is hampered by poor sound insulation and increased fuel consumption. The first hundred with such an engine is reached in just under 11 seconds. With active traffic in the city, the engine's appetite reaches 13 l / 100 km. The main advantage of the more powerful version is the mandatory presence of an all-wheel drive system.
Although gasoline engines are not strong enough, they are not without advantages. First of all, the engines are very reliable. All that is needed is to systematically change the operating fluids and filters, and the power unit will never let you down. You should also not forget about regular maintenance of the timing belt drive every 90,000 km and adjusting the valve clearance if necessary (check every 40,000 km).
Fans of fast driving should not be surprised by the increased oil consumption, which can reach up to 1 liter per 5000 km. With an “oil burner” of about 0.5 liters per 1000 km, first you should pay attention to the valve stem seals. Over time, most likely you will have to replace the lambda probes and flush the throttle.
Design features
Honda HR-V can be equipped with two types of drives. Usual front and full. In the latter case, the torque is transmitted to the front wheels, and if necessary, the clutch transfers part of the torque to the rear axle. Unfortunately, the hydraulic pump connects the second axle with a big delay and jerk. Therefore, you should not count on confident overcoming off-road. An inexperienced driver will “dig in” very quickly.
There were two transmissions to choose from: a 5-speed manual and a continuously variable variator.
The front suspension is based on MacPherson struts, and at the rear, depending on the drive system, a twisting beam or a system of independent levers is installed. The car did not take part in crash tests.
3-door modification is intended only for 4 people. This is exactly what is indicated in the technical data. The driver and front passenger have enough space. To facilitate landing on the back row, Honda received long doors. They also complicate the task of landing in a tight parking lot. But there is very little space for adults in the back: long trips are difficult.
The 5-door version is 10 cm longer, but is also designed for four. Here the problems with landing back disappeared, and the amount of space for passengers increased.
Faults
Drivers who buy a Honda know they're in for a trouble-free ride. HR-V, like other models of the brand, keeps the brand and does not cause serious problems. But there are also disadvantages.
One of the most significant is the failure of the clutch and rear gearbox. All these problems apply only to all-wheel drive modifications. The first symptom of a malfunction is the noisy operation of the rear axle. Basically, the problem overtakes specimens that often "visit" difficult places. In addition, in these conditions it is very easy to burn the clutch. The secret of the "longevity" of the transmission is the regular replacement of working fluids (at least once every 40-60 thousand km).
Both gearboxes are quite reliable. Unfortunately, over time, difficulties arise with the inclusion of reverse gear of the manual transmission. This is a feature of many high mileage Japanese cars. And if the variator fails, then the contract unit will cost $ 400.
In the suspension, it is periodically necessary to change the bushings and stabilizer struts and worn silent blocks. This problem concerns the majority of cars operated on Russian roads. Very rarely, but there are cases of failure of the steering rack. In addition, sometimes you have to change the wheel bearings.
Before buying a Japanese crossover, you should check the condition of the body. Wings, lower edges of doors and thresholds are the places where the first centers of corrosion appear. Sometimes the paintwork on the window frames is damaged.
Sometimes there are electrical failures. Most often, the central locking and heating are naughty. In many instances, the backlights in the cabin burn out quickly enough.
Conclusion
Prices for Honda HR-V are in the range of $4000-9000. The car attracts primarily with its modern design, all-wheel drive and, of course, Japanese reliability. But there are also disadvantages. The largest is weak engines that consume a relatively large amount of fuel. You can also complain about a too cramped interior (3-door versions) and a small trunk, with a volume of only 285 liters.
Also annoying is the poor sound insulation, especially at high speeds, when the engine sounds unbearably loud, and the creaky plastic interior. But thanks to good visibility, parking HR-V does not cause any difficulties.
Specifications Honda HR-V
|
Version |
1.6 16V |
1.6VTEC |
|
Engine |
Petrol |
Petrol |
Review of the new crossover Honda HR-V 2016, the start of sales is scheduled for early summer 2015. Consider the parameters of the car, equipment and specifications.
The all-new 2016 Honda HR-V crossover, unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show, will go on sale in early summer 2015. It combines the coupe style, coolness, ample space and utility of the HR-V sport utility vehicle. The model offers not only the comfort of a passenger car, but also a proven suspension.
Exterior Honda HR-V 2016
In appearance, the mini crossover resembles a hatchback, since it was from him that the design was taken as the basis, the base was taken from the Honda Fit. The embodiment of the Honda HR-V designers took the best features and combines both the comfort of a hatchback and the good cross-country ability of an SUV.
As expected, we will begin to inspect the car from the front and in a circle. The Honda Urban SUV Concept was taken as a basis, the car was presented at one of the auto shows, but parts from other Honda cars were used for the concept. There will be three trim levels: the base S, the standard E and the full EL trim.
The front of the car is reminiscent of the same new Honda Fit 2015, headlights with good, expressive optics, which gives the car not only beauty, but also an impressive appearance. In the Honda HR-V S package, the headlights are installed with conventional halogen lamps, in the HR-V E and EL packages with LED inserts on the sides and an automatic on / off system. All configurations include a DRL system that allows you to turn on the backlight in the daytime (many countries are now introducing a law on driving outside the city with the included dimensions).
The grille of the HR-V is slightly modified from the base that was taken for creation, it is divided into two parts, upper and lower, which are located on both sides of the Honda emblem. The part that is under the emblem has a more expressive look and takes up most of the space on the front of the Honda SHR-B 2015-2016.
Thanks to such dimensions, the designers not only made the car stand out from the flow of other cars, but also thought out a good airflow for cooling the engine and radiator of the HR-V 2015-2016.
The lower part of the bumper, typical for most models, was left unchanged, a small grille insert emphasizes the massive bumper and the car in front. Fog lights are only available on HR-V E and EL trims.
From the side, the new Honda HR-V 2015-2016 immediately gives an impression, instead of the usual four doors, there are only two in the car, the front driver's and passenger's, but looking closely at the rear windows in the very corner you can find the door handle. A design approach to this style turns a familiar SUV into a coupe. But still, according to many consumers, I would like the tailgate to be made a little longer, since the space between the rear wheel arch and the rear door fasteners is small, and not every passenger will be comfortable getting into it. The Smart Entry system (easy door opening) is available on HR-V E and EL trim levels.
The dimensions of the body of the new Honda HR-V 2015-2016 are compact, as for an SUV:
- the length of the Honda HR-V is 4294 mm;
- vehicle width 1772 mm;
- height - 1605 mm;
- wheelbase - 2610 mm;
- ground clearance Honda ShR-B is 185 mm, very good for a mini-crossover, but small for serious off-road driving.
Along the body of the new Honda HR-V 2015-2016 there is a bend that divides the car into upper and lower parts, emphasizing its massiveness and sportiness. Large power mirrors allow you to have a good view of the situation around the Honda HR-V and maintain complete control of the road behind. Heated mirrors are only available on the E and EL trims, as is the turn signal on the mirrors. The S package does not have these features.
The panoramic sunroof is available on the HR-V E and EL trim levels, and is also equipped with an electric drive system that makes it easier to open and close.
Any of the Honda SHR-V 2015-2016 trim levels includes 17-inch wheels with 215/55 tires. Also included in all configurations is a security system with remote control.
As for the wipers in the Honda HR-V, two-speed ones are installed in the basic S configuration, variables with automatics are installed in the HR-V E and EL trim levels, that is, they have more options and speeds when used.
By color, the car will be available in the colors:
- Gray metallic;
- Crystal black;
- White;
- Black metallic;
- Blue.
Interior Honda HR-V 2016
As it was said before that a lot was taken from the Honda Fit, inside you can also see both similar details and differences. Convenient and comfortable rear seats can be folded, thereby forming a large flat area and increasing the volume of the trunk. Trunk volume HR-V 2016 without the seats folded is 688 liters, with the seats folded 1665 liters of usable volume.
The upholstery of the Honda HR-V interior also depends on the selected configuration, for example, for the EL trim, the seats will be covered in leather, for the other two trim levels there will be fabric upholstery. In the E and EL configurations, the front seats will be heated, in the S configuration, unfortunately, this feature is not available.
As for comfort and control systems, the designers of the Honda HR-V did not stint and stuffed them with many functionalities. At first glance, the torpedo seems unusual, namely from the passenger side, where they are often accustomed to seeing a glove box handle or an airbag, the developers installed a long air vent, on the center console of the torpedo there are two touch control panels, one multimedia, the second for climate control. The multimedia system for the S configuration, the manufacturer installs a 5-inch screen with mechanical control. For the HR-V E and EL trim levels, a 7-inch WVGA touch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 is installed. The navigation system, HD Traffic system for drawing the road and the identification voice system are available only in the new HR-V EL trim level.
The HR-V S is equipped with air conditioning, the E and EL are equipped with an automatic climate control system.
With such amenities as cruise control, telescopic steering column, chrome door handles are provided in all trim levels. The engine start button is installed only in the E and EL trim levels, the steering wheel is covered with leather only for the EL trim, and only in this trim level an interactive rear-view mirror is installed, with the possibility of rear-view camera projection.
As for the multi-control system on the steering wheel, for the S and E equipment, a cruise control, audio system and telephone control system is installed. For the EL configuration, in addition to the mentioned configurations, navigation system control is also added.
Not unimportant, and I think the most interesting, for any driver is the dashboard. The manufacturer of the Honda HR-V 2016 decided to place the usual things, this is a speedometer in the center, a tachometer on the left and on the right, a set of instruments responsible for engine temperature, an odometer, and a fuel level in the tank. Thanks to the tank, which is located under the bottom of the car, with a capacity of 40 liters, both in the cabin and in the trunk of the HR-V, there is more space. As for the indicators themselves, the manufacturer did not stint and put them on each system in the car. It can show both an unfastened seat belt and other minor breakdowns or shortcomings.
Honda HR-V Safety
Passenger safety of the Honda HR-V was also not spared. It can be divided into active and passive. The active safety system HR-V includes a stabilization system, ABS, EBD, all configurations, except for the above, include a tire pressure monitoring system and a rear-view camera with a projection on the display.
The HR-V passive safety system includes the SRS security system, side airbags, seat belts both in the front and in the rear seats, a sensor is installed on the front belts that controls whether the driver and passenger are fastened with a belt or not, locks on the doors for children, to be opened only from the outside.
Specifications Honda HR-V
The technical characteristics of the HR-V would not be said to be very suitable for an SUV. The car will be supplied to the market with a 1800 cc i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder petrol engine. see with 16 valves. Such a heart can produce 139 horses (102 Kw) with a torque of 6500 rpm. min. / 104 Nm.
There will also be a choice of models with a 1.5 liter SOHC i-VTEC engine - 120 hp. (88 Kw) at 6600 rpm min. And there were also rumors about a 1.6 liter i-DTEC 130 hp diesel engine. But these modifications will not be available for sale everywhere.
To help the engine on the Honda HR-V 2015-2016, a manual six-speed gearbox is installed for the S configuration, only the front-wheel drive version is available for this configuration, for the E and EL trim levels, a CVT automatic transmission is installed, in E and EL only all-wheel drive is installed AWD system with intelligent control. It will automatically connect or disconnect all-wheel drive.
An interesting implementation of the HR-V was the ECO system, which reduces CO2 emissions to the environment, showing complete control of the engine and exhaust gases. When turned on, the instrument bezel on the instrument panel changes color from white (blue) to green.
The average fuel consumption of the Honda HR-V 2015-2016 is 7.0–8.1 l / 100 km with a mixed type of driving. Acceleration to 100 km / h is 8.4 seconds when testing the car on a manual transmission, which compared to 0.7 seconds less than the Honda Fit from which the base was taken.
Price Honda HR-V 2015
As for the price, depending on the configuration, the price will also increase. So, for example, the base Honda HR-V S will start at $19,115, the E will start at $23,215, and the top EL will start at $25,840. This is the cost of a car in America and in its home country, but for example, in Thailand, the Honda HR-V 2015 is already actively sold at the following price:
- Package S - 890 thousand baht, $ 27,000;
- E - 975 thousand baht, $29,550;
- Honda HR-V EL - 1,045,000, $31,670;
The conclusion can be drawn that the Honda HR-V turned out to be a very nice option, with many modern features of the exterior and interior. I would like to see a more powerful engine under the hood of the Honda HR-V, but still do not forget which car was taken as the basis for creating this mini-crossover. A variety of gearboxes, depending on the configuration of the car, does not make it possible to fully feel it for those who like to put pressure on the gas. The Honda HR-V is most likely created for those who like a stylish car, a quiet ride on city roads, and not a classic off-road option for driving on swampy country roads.
Video review of Honda HR-V 2015-2016.
Honda HR-V is a Japanese mini crossover that belongs to the type of sports utility vehicles (SUV).
History of Honda HR-V I generation
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The history of this car dates back to 1998, when it was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The developers immediately emphasized that this car belongs to a completely new class called "Joy Machine", which translates as "a car that brings pleasure." And it’s hard to disagree with this, because the HR-V is a unique design that includes a swift profile, an impressive body with a large glass area, unusual and at the same time stylish headlights, coupled with large wheel arches. Complementing the excellent appearance are vertical taillights and a roof spoiler.
Honda HR-V had both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layout. It should be noted that since 1998, a model was produced only with a three-door body, which offered the D16A power unit, with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 105 hp. The car was equipped with a DPS system, which made it possible to make all-wheel drive from a front-wheel drive transmission. In 1999, the five-door body of this crossover was released, which now had an alternative in the form of a more powerful D16A VTEC engine with 124 hp.
This is what the i-VTEC system looks like: 
For reference! Honda HR-V, in addition to a five-speed manual gearbox, was also equipped with a V-belt variator!
In 2001, there was a restyling of this car, which only slightly changed the appearance of the exterior and interior.
Engines Honda HR-V I generation
Honda HR-V does not own a wide range of engines, only two ICEs are available to choose from - D16A and D16A VTEC. Both have the same engine size - 1.6 liters, but the first one does not differ in any outstanding dynamic performance, having only 105 hp. 
Another power unit has at its disposal a variable valve timing system with 16 valves. This made it possible to add power to the engine - according to passport data, it has 124 hp. Below is a table with more detailed technical characteristics of each motor:
| Name of internal combustion engine | D16A | D16A VTEC |
|---|---|---|
| Volume, cc | 1590 | 1590 |
| Power, hp | 105 | 124 |
| Torque, N*m | 135 | 144 |
| Fuel used | AI-92, AI-95, natural gas | AI-92, AI-95, natural gas |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | 3.9 - 10.2 | 3.9 - 10.2 |
| engine's type | 4-cylinder, 16-valve, horizontal, programmable sequential injection (PGM-FI), liquid cooling | 4-cylinder, 16-valve, horizontal, electronic fuel injection (VTEC) |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 75 | 75 |
| Compression ratio | 9.4 | 10 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90 | 90 |
Together with the engine, the HR-V crossover was equipped with a five-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission with V-belt variator (CVT), which made it possible to achieve smooth and at the same time intense acceleration.
For reference! Although the Honda HR-V car resembles a sports crossover, it should be understood that the engine, which has a volume of 1.6 liters, is not designed for any high speeds. The limit of its ability comes from 160 km / h!
The release of the first generation Honda HR-V continued until 2006, after which this crossover series ceased to exist. And only in 2015, the production of the second generation began.
Engines Honda HR-V II generation
It is worth noting right away that this car is not the successor to the HR-V, it was based on another Honda brand - Fit. The second-generation Honda HR-V is a five-door J-class SUV, made in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layout. 
It is equipped with both a manual transmission and a variator. The range of engines is somewhat larger than that of its predecessor - the following models of gasoline and diesel engines are available to choose from:
| Engine name | HR-V 1.5 i-VTEC | HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC | HR-V 1.8 i-VTEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume, cc | 1498 | 1597 | 1799 |
| Maximum power, hp | 130 | 120 | 141 |
| Maximum torque, N*m | 155 | 300 | 173 |
| Fuel used | AI-95 | DT | AI-95 |
| Fuel consumption in the combined cycle, l | 5.6 | 4 | 8.4 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h | 10,2 – 11,2 | 10.1 | 9,2 - 10,1 |
| Compression ratio | 11.5 | 16 | 10.6 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 73 | 76 | 81 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 89.5 | 88 | 87.3 |
| engine's type | Diesel, in-line, 4-cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder | Petrol, in-line, 4-cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder | |
| Supply system | Direct injection (direct) | With undivided combustion chambers (direct fuel injection) | Distributed injection (multipoint) |
Honda HR-V engine selection
If it speaks of the first generation of this model, then when choosing an engine, everything is extremely simple. Both power units are reliable and have a long service life without major repairs. In order for these engines not to cause problems, it is only necessary to change the engine oil and filters in a timely manner (every 10,000 km). Many owners note weak acceleration dynamics, so it is recommended to pay attention to the D16A VTEC engine, which, like its opponent D16A, is equally popular in our secondary market. The most important issue when choosing this crossover is the gearbox. CVT owners note frequent problems with this unit, which often leads to its replacement. Therefore, the optimal solution would be to choose an HR-V with a D16A VTEC engine and a manual transmission.
Below is a photo of the HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC engine: 
The second generation HR-V is not so popular, therefore, it is considered a rarity to meet a model with a diesel engine. The petrol version with an engine capacity of 1.8 liters can also be classified as "exotic". It's too early to talk about the reliability of the HR-V 1.5 i-VTEC, so not much time has passed since its release.
Almost 99% of articles about this model begin with a description of which class the Honda HR-V belongs to. And you can perfectly understand fellow journalists who use this topic to start their stories (I'll tell you a secret - this is the most difficult thing). After all, the HR-V is a truly classless car. It seems to be an SUV, however, as experience shows, it is better not to meddle in more or less serious dirt on it. You can’t call an HR-V passenger car either. But now we are of little interest in which market segment the Honda HR-V belongs to. It is much more important to know how this "frivolous"-looking car behaves in Russia.
At first, the Honda HR-V was produced only in a 3-door body - many people prefer to call such a car an off-road coupe. Outwardly, this car looks just fine (and even in the late 90s, the HR-V was generally a peep of fashion), but from a practical point of view, it also has disadvantages: climbing into the second row of seats is not very convenient, and there are places A little. Therefore, as the only car in the family, especially if there are small children, the 3-door HR-V is not the best fit - try putting a small child back in its special seat in such a car. Therefore, a 100 mm lengthened one is more practical. 5-door HR-V, which began to be made at the end of 1999 (they cost more than 3-door cars by an average of $ 1 thousand). There is enough space in the back even for adults.
Despite its toy appearance, the HR-V tolerates the Russian climate very calmly. Even on cars of the first years of production, there are still no hints of rust. Moreover, elements such as “wipers”, headlights and other electrical equipment behave very worthily - no serious problems have been noted with them. According to the assurances of the masters, even an air conditioner after 5-7 years of operation in Russia does not give reasons to remember about itself. And only in isolated cases, when the driver constantly kneads dirt on the HR-V, the air conditioning pipes and its radiator can fail. But the tension belt of the air conditioner must be monitored constantly. It is poorly protected and is the weak point of the car. As a result, in some cases, already after 20-30 thousand km. it needs to be changed ($90-100 with work). Yes, and the rollers of this belt rarely withstand more than 50-60 thousand km.
As practice shows, the interior of cars made at the end of the last century still looks great - some scuffs, of course, may appear, but this is rare. Even simple cars have quite decent equipment: air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, ABS, front airbags. Although it should be noted that the interior is made of simple plastic, but in this case this is normal. After all, we are talking about a Honda brand car, which in its new form cost $22-25 thousand, and not about Lexus or BMW.
Under the hood of the Honda HR-V, you can find only one engine - a 1.6-liter gasoline unit. At first, he had only a modification with a capacity of 105 hp. But for a larger 5-door modification, starting in 2000, they offered a 1.6-liter engine with a VTEC headlight change system, which already had a power of 125 hp. The second unit is much better suited for the HR-V, making the car noticeably faster, especially if you turn the engine up to 5-6 thousand revolutions. But to expect some kind of bewitching dynamics from the HR-V with a 105-horsepower unit, and besides, if a stepless variator is paired with it, you should not. In general, many Honda fans expected the HR-V to be a more sporty car - and so, even with a 125 hp engine, this city SUV does not demonstrate miracles of acceleration, powerful grabs in the mid-range revs zone and everything else, for which owners so love their Honda.
But if you do not consider the Honda HR-V as a “lighter” for driving in a controlled skid at a speed of 200 km / h, then even a 105-horsepower engine will not disappoint. And there are no problems with the reliability of the 1.6-liter engine. According to the masters, the owners of the Honda HR-V rarely come to repair the power unit. And if this happens, then in all cases the fault lies with the owner in one way or another. Usually, if you often rush at maximum speed on asphalt or constantly operate the car off-road, then the crankshaft oil seals begin to leak. The parts are inexpensive, but the work takes a lot of time - in the end, replacing the oil seals costs about $ 330. But without exception, all the masters assured that oil seals leak extremely rarely, and their resource is at least 200-250 thousand km.
In general, regardless of the condition of the oil seals, it is necessary to monitor the oil level. Indeed, for drivers who ruthlessly exploit their car, it can go to waste, and in fairly decent quantities (plus, do not forget about the already named oil seals). And the main danger of leaving oil in a 1.6-liter engine is that the alarm light usually lights up too late, when there is only a gulkin's nose left with grease. And the consequences of this can be, well, just very sad.
But if the engine diagnostics at a good service showed that everything is in order with it, then you will forget about the phrase “engine repair” for a long time. Just remember the need for timely maintenance. So, once every 10 thousand km. you need to change the oil ($ 75), and after 100 thousand km. - timing belt ($180 with work). Moreover, in the vast majority of cases, the belt rollers serve 200 thousand km each. Plus, you need to add more spark plugs, the service life of which depends on gasoline - sometimes they are enough for 10 thousand km., But more often they serve for 30-45 thousand km. ($40 with work). In theory, every 40 thousand km. adjust the valve with a screw and nut. For prevention, this operation can be carried out according to the manufacturer's recommendations ($45), but, according to the masters, the valves usually work quietly without human intervention for 100-150 thousand km.
As already mentioned, both a standard manual gearbox and a CVT stepless variator could work in tandem with a 1.6-liter engine (there was no conventional “automatic”). Moreover, cars with CVTs are on sale almost more often than with “mechanics”. When driving a Honda HR-V with a CVT, the driver does not feel quite usual at first - the engine runs smoothly at the same speed, and there is no gear shifting as such. By the way, the variator has not only a standard mode, but also a “sport” function, by turning on which you can achieve a little more intense acceleration.
There are no complaints about the reliability of the "mechanics". Unless after 150 thousand km. mileage, the clutch may fail, but not a single manual box can do without a breakdown of this element at high mileage. True, the Honda clutch is expensive - a branded kit costs about $ 250, and even $ 180-200 will be taken by the master for work. On some machines, however, the clutch had to be changed after 50-70 thousand km. But in all cases, without exception, the gasket between the steering wheel and the seat was to blame, which drove the HR-V off-road and fanatically burned the clutch there (we repeat once again - the Honda HR-V does not like to move off the asphalt).
The CVT turned out to be quite reliable, but buying a car with such a transmission, you are still more likely to run into a breakdown. For example, if the previous owner used to be the first to leave the traffic lights, knead the dirt in the fields, and so on, then after 100-120 thousand km. the variator may begin to act up, jerks will appear at the start, and so on. Therefore, before buying an HR-V, it is imperative to check the condition of the oil in the CVT. There should not be any metallic sediment in it (by the way, the lubricant here must be changed every 40 thousand km.). If it is present, then you must immediately change the oil ($ 70 with work). Often this helps. Moreover, experienced craftsmen advise using the new ATF-Z1 oil, designed specifically for Honda boxes (it is sold only in packaging with Honda logos). They say it's better. If the variator is already worn out, then along with changing the lubricant, you will also have to install a new starter clutch package, which costs more than $ 600, taking into account the interests of the mechanic. But there are times when the variator is dead. It is sometimes impossible to repair it, and therefore you have to buy a new box. And this pleasure costs, by the way, about $ 7 thousand. That's it. Although in fact it will be much cheaper to find a used variator - if it is not in Russia, then you can order it from Japan.
The fact that the Honda HR-V is not designed for frequent off-road use has been said several times. After all, the HR-V does not have a downshift (the function of switching on large gear ratios in the CVT variator still does not replace a full-fledged "razdatka"), there are also no differential locks. Yes, and the all-wheel drive itself is not permanent here - it is connected electronically if necessary. Moreover, sometimes there are even versions with only front-wheel drive (so pay attention to this point before buying a car). Against off-road driving, the fact that the Jeepers HR-V begins to break down also speaks. For example, semi-axle oil seals, crankshaft oil seals flow, the clutch wears out quickly, the universal joint crosses (changes only with the shaft assembly), and so on and so forth. Therefore, it is possible to get from the highway to the dacha on the HR-V, but you will have to abandon the “camel trophy”.
The Honda HR-V's suspension is a bit stiff. And lovers of comfort should remember this. But the main advantage of the chassis is that it is very reliable! When operating the car on flat roads, nothing breaks in the suspension, steering and braking system even with a run of 130-150 thousand km. Only the bushings of the front stabilizer live for about 40 thousand km, but they are changed for $ 40, taking into account the price of parts. Front stabilizer struts and rear bushings/struts have been around for 70-100 thousand km, although their replacement costs a decent amount (original struts cost more than $200 apiece, but there are parts from third-party manufacturers about half the price). Well, maybe, with a run of 100-120 thousand, the rear shock absorbers will flow (Honda ones sold in a box cost $230, and in stores there are “regular” ones for $120). Strictly speaking, everything is on the suspension. The service life of other parts is difficult to predict - depending on how you drive. But remember that if the chassis is already dying, then its renewal will cost a lot of money, especially if you stop by a Honda service station. After all, for example, a set of front levers costs more than $700, a set of rods for the rear suspension is another $450-500, and shock absorbers, as you already understood, are not cheap at all.
This car is not designed for off-road. His element is asphalt. This is what the Honda HR-V owner should remember. If you drive on flat roads, and even do not participate in street racing every day, then the HR-V will break down very rarely.
Excursion
The history of the Honda HR-V is quite short. The first show of this model took place at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1998. I must say that many then were sure that they had another concept in front of them. However, the production of this car with a very unusual design began only a few months later - in early 1999, the first buyers had already received their HR-Vs.
At first, there was only a 3-door variant, which was often called the first off-road coupe. But in September 1999, the Japanese introduced an elongated 5-door modification, which was noticeably more spacious than the 3-door. For the Honda HR-V, only a 1.6-liter engine was offered for the entire time of its production. True, this unit had two versions. One had 105 hp. and 135 Nm., and the second with a variable valve timing system VTEC boasted already 125 hp. and 144 Nm. The transmission was either a standard 5-speed "mechanics" or a CVT variator. Moreover, more cars with a variator were made than with "mechanics". The drive in the vast majority of cases was full (the rear axle was connected automatically when the front wheels slipped). However, there were also "budget" front-wheel drive versions of the HR-V.
In 2002, a slight restyling of the HR-V was made. Externally, the car has not changed too much (a new grille, fog lights, etc.). As for the interior, it received a slightly different upholstery and some other little things.
In 2003, Honda decided to end production of the 3-door version of the HR-V. And two years later, the 5-door modification was also removed from production. So far, nothing has come to replace the HR-V.
We thank the representative office of Honda in Russia for their help in preparing the material.
