2019 Honda HR-V Test Drive Review: The Seats Are MAGIC

[@carbuzzcom]

Ask us anything about the 2019 Honda HR-V!

[@christopherpeninger324]

Did you even try the "S" Mode on the transmission? Seems adequately peppy for a 1.8 Liter. I own the sport and I don't think you dropped it into "S".

[@carbuzzcom]

@@christopherpeninger324 We drove it all week and tried S mode a few times. It just makes the throttle feel a little more responsive. It's still not a rapid car.

[@j.r.arnolli7494]

@@carbuzzcom S-mode, I do use it in mountaindriving, get some extra punch going uphill

[@Vyviel]

If I put a single child seat on the back can I also fit two adults next to it comfortably? I need to fit 4 adults and a child. If not would something like the CRV work?

[@imranuddin7637]

Is it orange or bright red?

[@allantweyman7212]

Why does Honda put Honda Sensing only on the upper trims? They should put Honda Sensing on all their models including their base model LX.

[@haiguise100]

Thank you! You actually just convinced me to get the EXL instead of the touring

[@siang076]

This car is 3 years late! I am already driving the RS version (called Vezel) since 2016 with all the fancy improvements like 18" wheel, honda sensing, rear mirror dimming, paddle shifts, heater seats (no electric seats!) , 5 piece speakers, ultrasuede seats cover, etc. It is a looker and stands out wherever it went. Fuel economy is 13/14 km/litres , probably better to go with Hybrid versions if available. Yes the interior space is unbeatable, but don't expect it to drive like a sports car, it only carries a 1.5litres engine. However it has a S gear which make the car accelerates better, but use it sparingly if you don't want your fuel economy to suffer.

[@carbuzzcom]

Cool! Wish we had that in the US.

[@Sacto1654]

My only gripe about the HR-V is the use of the R18 engine rated at 143 bhp. I wished the engine had about 155 bhp, which would have made it a tad less scary to drive when merging onto freeways.

[@carbuzzcom]

About 170 hp would be mighty impressive.

[@7inchsoldier397]

The FWD HRV runs 0-60 in 8.6 sec which is respectable for any passenger car.

[@davidbedard3201]

Nice review. As a note, the Sport does indeed have some performance-oriented differences from the rest of the range. There are no differences in the engine compartment (which is a significant point), but the Sport has unique stabilizer bars (25 F/15 R vs 24F/19 R for the rest of the range), which I would imagine could eliminate some understeer. Also, and more consequently, the Sport's steering ratio is 2.38 (vs 2.71 for the rest of the range) with a 12.71 steering ratio (vs 13.92).

[@SolarTTauri]

Magnificently thorough review.

[@DrEdwardTsang]

Thank you for a thorough review. What one gets in which model is always confusing, but you've clarified it for me.

[@flight505]

Bought my '19 black sport in '20 with 2k dealer miles. Now has 7800 Like new.

[@scott8919]

Just a heads up from a current HR-V owner: those soft cloth door panels are a bitch when rain or snow gets on them. Water spots everywhere. And the seats are a sore spot (literally). If you're OK with those two weaknesses, you're golden.

[@KROS713]

Say more about the seats please? This is on my list of cars to buy and I’d like to hear about your experience. Thanks!

[@RyanImmortalStar]

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, I have the Honda Vezel which is the Japanese version of the HRV

[@richardwilliams3839]

I have the sport 2022 to be honest nothing much look like it change with the car an feature I saw reviews on the 2023 Hrv that's a very cool car I like everything about I like the one I have now too

[@ivanlowjones]

High Riding Revolutionary Vehicle.......HR-RV? Seriously though, Honda should've added either of the new 10th gen Civic engines (158hp non aspirated or the 1.5L turbo).

[@carbuzzcom]

Yeah, it would technically be High-riding Revolutionary Vehicle (with the first 'R' not capitalized). As we said, not our favorite name. The turbo would be cool but it lacks the steering feel to really make the added power enjoyable. This entire segment is pretty underpowered (except the Soul and Kona), so the HR-V does just fine.

[@lfcms1892]

HRV is named Vezel in countries like Japan and Hong Kong

[@Linda-bj3cf]

You do not show close video of console and dash.

[@Alangkan2]

Thank u for ur review very help me decide the model 😍😍

[@carbuzzcom]

Always go EX. Nice middle ground.

[@davidjym]

The center storage could be bigger, and there's no power door locking button in the passenger door, just something that Honda is trying to cut costs. More quality interior materials would be nice.

[@carbuzzcom]

They make up for lack on armrest storage with the area under the shifter.

[@davidjym]

Yes, but can't store anything valuable under there and it's hard to get compared to traditional center storage ...........

[@daviddoyle543]

The interior lights are lacking. The passenger door controls don't light up. Neither do the cup holders. The cargo area light is manually operated. No lights in the doors either. I'm going to get a light strip and place it on the passenger side foot well area.

[@ingenunis5003]

Nice Review

[@cassiocm]

IMHO a penalty box. Low power and CVT combination is a deal breaker for us. Honda should put the 1.5T in the top of the line or a sport version

[@carbuzzcom]

We'd also love to see Honda add a turbocharged option. Sadly, very few cars in this segment offer anything competitive. Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul are pretty much the only turbo options.

[@ivanlowjones]

Too bad Kia won't offer AWD in the Soul in any configuration.

[@carbuzzcom]

@@ivanlowjones Yep, that's a killer for some. Just get snow tires! The Soul turbo is a BLAST!

[@ivanlowjones]

@@carbuzzcom Says the guy in Florida😏😏

[@jpmccormac]

@@carbuzzcom You mean the 1.5 Honda turbo that has issues with gas leaking into the oil? Many complaints to Honda and NHTSA about that.

[@sam693691]

Love the size of it, but no lumbar seat. They need to put the Accord driver seat.

[@carbuzzcom]

Higher trim levels may come with lumbar but not our Sport tester.

[@loribaugh8283]

How do you move the driver's seat down? Could you do a video on that?

[@ninavanina8455]

@@loribaugh8283 seat are terrible . I have the touring and gives me backpain

[@sadhvisadhvi8867]

When Honda hrv will be come in India

[@normt5463]

The Buick Encore sells the same or more, offers pusher ride, turbo-4 torque, and a longer warranty than Honda HR-V. Plus it is about $10,000 off MSRP and much less expensive than overpriced economy car, Honda.

[@normt5463]

@LEO7175 I guess you have been living under a rock as Toyota has passed Buick in recent years. www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2018/02/14/jd-power-2018-dependability-study/333275002/

[@xp50player]

Discount is because they are begging you to buy it.

[@normt5463]

@@xp50player GM makes money on trucks and full size SUVs, where Japanese cannot, they throw cash on the hoods of eveyth else.

[@Davidxdlol]

Norm T it’s a crap buick

[@normt5463]

@@Davidxdlol Consumer Reports ranked Encore best in segment before the Q3 redesigb recently. It is a very good vehicle that sells well.

[@pres002]

the ex trim with awd is awesome as well. I dont like fwd

[@shola7987]

Why? Whats the difference?

[@carbuzzcom]

The AWD is a bit slower though and you pay a penalty for fuel economy.

[@13Fistme]

I like fwd if I’m driving a two wheel drive vehicle, due to all the weight being on the front tires.

[@ferdinandsanpedro8265]

So Millenials don’t know how to use a key? the end is near folks..

[@flyingjeff1984]

As to the manual transmission disappearing, the EPA makes all auto manufacturer decisions. That's why Nissan and Ford are replacing transmissions like changing toilet paper rolls.

[@sawdust6968]

you forgot to mention the web browser

[@tonyrock5313]

I'd rather the Rav4. It has a motor and a transmission not cvt. CVT you can forget.

[@carbuzzcom]

RAV4 is bigger than this. This competes against CH-R. RAV4 competes against HR-V. It's confusing.

[@DougsCars]

Nice job! Needs an SI model ;)

[@JaredRosenholtz]

That would be fun.

[@robertholmes7912]

The new 2020 Kia Soul GT Line is pretty sweet, watch out for them.

[@carbuzzcom]

Check out carbuzz.com we will have a written review of the Soul very soon.

[@ninavanina8455]

Underpowered:/. When you merge in the highways is dangerous . It’s slow

[@marc6652]

The most modular SUV. The tackiest dash bord.

[@joejoe809]

👍👍👍

[@bobbutcher9266]

What the hell is a butun?

[@ajaybhaskar5052]

honda is making garbage now. it has killed all the good products like cry, odyssey and pilot by screwing the transmission or making it turbo, especially that 1.5 later engine from honda fit which is not selling in good numbers and putting a turbo on it and applying in civic, cry and accord. honda just killed everything by cheap application of its products and honda is not alone in doing so GM, Toyota, Ford they all are doing this but we never expected this from Honda. only hyundai and kia are delivering the goods which we expect the least from. i won't be surprised when these 2 sister company will leave every other car manufacturer behind.

[@michalmisio64]

If you watched this video closely you would noticed that this honda is not a garbage it doesn’t offer turbo 1.5 instead is using 1.8 regular 4 cylinder so i disagree with your opinion that all Hondas are garabage because of the turbo engines this is still good Honda product .

[@j.r.arnolli7494]

Michal Misio / In Europe we don't have the 1.8 or the AWD. We can choose between the 1.5L or the 1.5T, the turbo not in a simple Sport-version. Why not the 2.0T with 250 hp, that would be a real sortversion. Or a decent Hybrid version. In the far east there are Hybrid verdienste on the market.

[@barryjackson6921]

Michal Mis

[@hazmatcinemaxxx]

Going to lease the 2021 HRV for $188 a month after factoring in taxes and down payment. After the lease I plan to buy a used Volvo xc40 for about $21k.

[@richardwilliams3839]

The ex they didn't have and the ex l at the dealer but like I said I am not complaining even thou I like the features in cars now a days

[@backyardmechanic4438]

Great review, informative and helpful. Does this 1.8L engine have port or direct fuel injection? Thank you.

[@carbuzzcom]

It is an i-Vtec direct fuel injection engine.

[@7inchsoldier397]

It has port fuel injection.

[@standandeliver8376]

17:25 for magic seats.

[@carbuzzcom]

MAGIC!

[@grimacemcccheese]

The amount of interior room you get for this size of car is amazing. Imagine upsizing this design to a three row crossover. I bet they could get minivan like space behind the third row.

[@carbuzzcom]

That's pretty much what the pilot is.

[@ap101081]

I have a2018 HR-V EX and I'm trying to figure out how to put my Google map on the screen! Is it possible on this model?

[@flutterby4710]

I love my 2019 HR-V touring.. the only thing that bothers me is the fabric in the wheel wells. I wonder how long that will last, and if it will hold up in different weather.

[@terrencegilhuly2398]

It works great getting rid of snow and ice.

[@KROS713]

Any new complaints, now that you’ve been driving it a while?

[@ninavanina8455]

@@KROS713 gives me back pain ! I hate the seats I have the touring . Underpowered. Dangerous when you merge into highway. The back seats are ok to transport children and petite people . Taller people will feel very uncomfortable

[@fionanelson614]

Just got one and love it. Only issue I have is there was a plastic thing in the trunk, which I have no idea what to do with. I think it screws in somewhere 😁

[@stephenshelton6280]

Fiona Nelson The item in the trunk is the front license plate bracket

[@flowersmile123]

Great video! Very detailed and the info you provide answered many of my questions and concerns.

[@carbuzzcom]

Thanks, we appreciate the compliment!