At Honda, two hearts beat in the chest of the management team. The responsible heart wants no one to die in an accident with a Honda car or motorcycle by 2050. By the same year, the group wants to be completely CO2-be neutral. The Japanese are currently consistently relying on hybrid drives and only want to sell electric and hydrogen cars by 2040.
On the other hand, there is also a passionate heart – that for driving pleasure. This is why the eleventh edition of the compact Civic will be available again as a particularly sporty Type R from the end of next year. The Civic embodies these two hearts, because at the same time it completes the electrification of all Honda models in Switzerland. With it from the end of 2022 and the new HR-V in spring, all current Honda are fully or partially under power.
Grow with more SUVs
After that, Honda wants to expand the model range from 2023 to include two more SUVs, one of which is purely electric. In addition, the new edition of the CR-V is on the program, which will become Honda’s first plug-in hybrid. Accordingly, Honda Switzerland wants to sell 60 percent more cars with electrified and additional models in the next two to three years. The new HR-V will be the driving force behind this growth from next year. Although it doesn’t start until March, it should already account for over two-thirds of all Honda sales in 2022.
The third edition of the city SUV is getting a fresh look. With the long hood and clear lines, it looks larger than its predecessor, although it remains the same length (4.35 m) and wide (1.79 meters) and is even flatter (1.58 m high). This leads to a loss in cargo volume. Whereas the trunk in the predecessor still held 470 to 1533 liters, in the new HR-V with a flatter fastback rear it is still 319 to 1380 liters.
Practical solutions
At the same time, however, the passengers in the rear have more space. The legroom is very generous for an SUV of this size. In addition, the seat surface of the rear seats can be folded up, as in the Jazz and in the predecessor, in order to be able to transport tall objects more easily.
Just as clever: In the cockpit there is a storage space for the smartphone under the touchscreen. It is right next to the USB port for AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay. So there is less cable clutter and the inductive charging cradle remains free for another cell phone. In addition to the 9-inch touchscreen, there are also classic rotary switches for temperature and volume. These can be operated intuitively without taking your eyes off the road. At the same time, the cockpit is clear and modern.
Almost an electric car
Honda’s hybrid approach sees the electric motor as being primarily responsible. Most of the time this is supposed to drive the HR-V. The petrol engine should produce electricity and only support the drive at high speeds. Accordingly, Honda specifies the 131 hp (96 kW) of the electric motor as the power for the city SUV.
A typical driving experience like in an electric car does not arise. The gasoline engine can be heard too well for that, even if it is working in the optimal speed range and generating electricity. As soon as we accelerate out of a place, drive up a hill or enter the motorway, the speed and the noise level increase.
Economical through the city
The HR-V feels most comfortable when it can flow with traffic in the city. This is where the city SUV is likely to be found most – the 5.4 liter factory consumption seems realistic. After the first, somewhat brisk test drive, mostly on German country roads, the HR-V indulged in 6.6 l / 100 km according to the display.
The direct steering and the chassis also made a good impression. The HR-V sometimes rocked over bumps, but basically it lies full on the road. This is also fun for F1 driver and World Championship leader Max Verstappen (see video), who fights for championship points in his Red Bull with Honda hybrid power.
With the new HR-V, Honda has its finger on the pulse. City SUVs are more in demand than ever and with the hybrid drive the Japanese are picking up all those who cannot or do not want to switch to electric yet. The prices of the new HR-V start at 33,900 francs.