If there's one thing Honda does well, it's making small, comfortable and efficient vehicles. The automaker's new small crossover, the 2016 HR-V, should do just fine.
As traditionally "small" SUVs and crossovers have gotten bigger and bigger, space underneath the Honda CR-V has opened up and Honda thinks it can fill it. Taking a page from Subaru's playbook in which it created a smaller, smarter entry under the Forester with the XV Crosstrek, Honda's "smaller can be better" strategy could fit buyers looking for a little bit of cargo room and efficient transportation.
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The HR-V uses the Civic's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine along with a continuously variable automatic transmission or optional six-speed manual transmission. The manual is not available on all-wheel-drive models.
The HR-V is based on the Fit but has more stylish front and rear styling, as well as a familial grille and shape. The rear of the vehicle is rather nondescript with a clamshell hatch offering access to a fairly deep rear deck and 60/40-split rear seats. The rear bumper acts as the only impediment for lifting heavy or bulky boxes into the rear cargo area.
Honda seems to be shifting to a more organic look for its dashes, giving the appearance of something akin to modern furniture rather than something that deploys an airbag. Surfaces are covered with thin and smooth materials, except in the center console area where there's a good amount of elbow padding. We like the clever under-console storage to hide any valuables out of plain sight.
Even though the HR-V will be an entry-level player, we like that Honda has included technology like its Expanded View Driver's Mirror (on the fully loaded EX-L model), which allows drivers to see (in real time on the navigation screen) what's happening next to them using the rearview-mounted camera.
Honda was reticent to call out exactly what vehicles it expects to be cross-shopped but it could involve a pretty wide variety, including the Ford Escape, Subaru XV Crosstrek or even a Mazda3. Although pricing won't be revealed until we're closer to its spring on-sale date, we're guessing the shared platform will allow Honda to slot the HR-V around $20,000, well less than a CR-V.
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams
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