Conquering the winding roads of Tagaytay & Anilao with the all-new HR-V with Honda SENSING

Looking back at the past 2 pandemic-riddled years, we’ve become so accustomed to staying indoors, along with the many different aspects of our lives that have been drastically affected by this new normal. Gatherings such as family reunions, out of town trips and parties have become far-fetched to the point that it’s like you don’t even know how to act once you find yourself back in those scenarios. Now that cases are significantly lower and hence some sense of normalcy is slowly creeping back in, it’s great to see that we have more liberty (and peace of mind) when stepping out of our own homes.

With that said, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc (HCPI) recently invited me for a media test drive featuring the all-new Honda HR-V with Honda SENSING in Tagaytay and Anilao. Delicious lunch at Tagaytay Highlands with a view of Taal Volcano, an overnight stay at a pleasant dive resort at Anilao, and, not to mention, all while test driving the exciting HR-V? Regardless if this were 2+ years into the pandemic, this invite was too good to pass on.

Starting at the urban roads of BGC, we then headed south toward the winding and steep roads of Tagaytay Highlands, and then to Anilao. With the many different locations traversed, we were able to truly test out the HR-V’s capabilities (for both V Turbo CVT and S CVT variants)  in various different scenarios and highlight some of its main aspects, such as its contemporary style, cutting-edge technology, versatile and spacious interior and dynamic performance and handling.

Exterior

In terms of its exterior, Honda didn’t stray away from its unmistakable HR-V appearance, as newly shaped headlights and foglamps give the vehicle a sporty and premium detail. One of the few differences between the two variants in terms of looks is its grille, with the V Turbo CVT variant sporting a mesh-type grille that gives it a more aggressive and angas appearance, while the S CVT variant, on the other hand, comes with a black bar type grille. A notable design cue of the former is the sport-type bumper with the Amp Up Line design that adds character. Although with minimal differences in appearances, I’d say I’m a bigger fan of the V Turbo CVT variant.

Going over the side, Honda’s latest crossover features a sharp body line, similar to that of Honda’s City, along with a coupe-like profile, achieved through its sloping roofline and rear door handles that are well-integrated into the C-pillar. Both variants come with a shark fin antenna and 17-inch alloys wrapped 215/60 tires, with a gray finish for the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING, and a black and silver color scheme for the S CVT Honda SENSING. Lastly, the side is then topped off with a good amount of black cladding for that added sportiness. 

We were also able to see first-hand one of the most striking design cues of the new HR-V, specifically, its LED Tail Light Bar which elevates the premium and sporty vibes of the exterior. Both trims have contrasting rear bumpers, while a dual tailpipe layout with finishers is available on the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING variant. 

Interior

On the inside, the HR-V presents a human-centric cabin that’s designed with good ergonomics and treated with quality materials. Its optimized comfort, premium features, and subcompact crossover versatility provided a comfortable ride all throughout our journey, whether if you were driving, at the passenger seat, or at the backseat. In fact, what impressed us most was how spacious it was, particularly at the back, with generous amounts of leg and wiggle space. We noticed, however, that headspace is limited whether at the front or back, which could be a bother for those on the taller end of the spectrum.

The experience was even more enhanced as the infotainment system supports various multimedia functions such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which gives the driver access to several apps on an 8-inch touchscreen display audio paired with a 6-speaker sound system.

Other features such as the one push start system, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, single-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, and the new air diffusion system evenly distributed the natural breeze throughout the cabin during the drive. Also, for better convenience, both trims of the Honda HR-V come standard with a remote engine start function, allowing the driver to start the engine with just a press of a button from the key fob. 

Leather upholstery is exclusive on the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING, whereas the base S CVT Honda SENSING gets fabric seats. As for the instrument cluster where important vehicle details are projected, the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING features a 7-inch digital display while the S CVT Honda SENSING comes with a 4.2-inch digital display. The drive also highlighted the new Honda HR-V’s flexible interior space. Participants also experienced the ease of loading and unloading their things as cargo loading is made more fun and easier all thanks to its ULT seats which are composed of 3 adjustable modes:

• Utility Mode – The two rear seats can be folded to increase cargo space, demonstrating Honda’s signature fold-flat flexibility at the rear.
• Long Mode – Folding front and rear seats for a lengthy space.
• Tall Mode – Honda’s unique versatility is shown in the tip-up rear seats for more vertical space. This feature is an HR-V exclusive in its segment.

Under the Hood

Powering the HR-Vs throughout the guided drive are two engines; firstly, the 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine for the base S CVT Honda SENSING, which produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, allowed for a reliable and smooth drive for the first day of our test drive. Secondly, the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING variant that features a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine, the first-ever turbo-powered HR-V, is where you could really feel the extra push of power. I was most amazed by how effortless the engine felt despite full cargo, with impressive outputs of 177 PS and 240 Nm of torque.

Moreover, we also got the option to try the 3 distinct driving modes of the HR-V based on their driving needs:

• ECON Mode – optimizing the operation of the engine to align with driving style to maximize fuel efficiency.
• Normal Mode – used for general and daily driving.
• Sport Mode (V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING only) – the car’s engine accelerates more readily for more fun and enjoyment when driving.

Honda SENSING

One thing I appreciated greatly was how Honda made an effort to not only make us truly feel its SENSING features, but for us to experience it how we really would when on the road. From Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), which aims to make highway drives a more pleasant experience by maintaining the speed based on the car in front of you, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), which keeps the vehicle well-positioned inside its lane, to Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW), which prevents the vehicle from leaving the road and notifies the driver when the car goes off course, Honda has littered the HR-V with a plethora of safety features.

Other notable Honda SENSING features are its Low-Speed Follow (LSF), which makes it easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic, Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN), which alerts the driver when the vehicle in front has moved from a standstill, and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), which helps the driver avoid frontal collision and apply brakes when necessary.

On a side note as well, I also greatly appreciated how Honda’s SENSING features made its presence felt through notifications, pop-ups, etc., which definitely makes you feel a lot more secure when inside the vehicle. 

These improved Honda SENSING features are a result of a camera with a wider field of view compared to the previous version and combined with an improved software offering better vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and road marking recognition.

As we conquered the streets of Bonifacio Global City, Tagaytay, and Anilao with peace of mind through the new HR-V’s state-of-the-art safety features, we got a first-hand experience of the smart keyless entry, security alarm, and immobilizer, all passenger seatbelt reminder, front and side airbags, speed-sensing door locks, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear seat reminder, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), which is new for the HR-V, and Hill-Start Assist (HAS)—all which contributed to providing a smooth and worry-free drive. 

In addition, the HR-V now supports the G-force Control (G-CON) body structure which enhances impact absorption for the added protection of passengers in the event a collision occurs. Its richness in safety features demonstrates Honda’s commitment to realizing the dream of providing “Safety for Everyone”.

Shoutout to Honda as well for not only hosting us, but ensuring the safety of all participants, as HCPI implemented health and safety protocols such as antigen swab testing, extensive vehicle disinfection, wearing of facemasks, and ensuring that everyone who joined was fully vaccinated. 

The new Honda HR-V is now available at all 37 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide and comes in four (4) colors:

• Ignite Red Metallic 
• Platinum White Pearl
• Premium Opal White Silver Pearl (New color; V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING only) 
• Meteoroid Gray Metallic 

*Platinum White Pearl– Additional PHP 20,000

*Premium Opal White Silver Pearl – Additional PHP 20,000

The notable upgrades represent the beginning of a new chapter for Honda’s subcompact crossover, this is all thanks to its sophisticated styling, premium quality, advanced safety, and intuitive technology that would be versatile for different lifestyles. 

Pricing starts at PHP 1,250,000 for the HR-V S CVT Honda SENSING, while the range-topping V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING retails at PHP 1,598,000.

Head on to www.hondaphil.com VIRTUAL SHOWROOM now or visit the nearest Honda Cars dealership to know more about the HR-V, the Honda SENSING, and the latest promos and offers from Honda.