American Honda currently has top-selling
Crossover vehicles in two of the three
Crossover categories:
- Mid-Size: Honda Pilot -
will be totally refreshed for the 2016 model
year - expected to be available late Summer
2015.
- Compact: Honda CR-V -
just refreshed last year, the 2015 CR-V
was just awarded the 2014 Motor Vehicle
Trend SUV of the year.
- Entry-level: As defined by the industry, the "Compact" category includes a wide range of vehicle sizes - ranging from the larger Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 type vehicles to the smaller Jeep Patriot,
Kia sportage, and Hyundai Tucson type vehicles.
Honda currently lacks an entry in the later
"Entry-level" category - but is about to fill this gap. They will begin shipping their
all new 2016 HR-V in Spring 2015.
The HR-V will be based upon the platform
used by the all new 2015 Honda Fit. This
will allow Honda to extend its line of SUVs
to a more affordable price point while still
offering traditional Honda quality, plenty
of people space, and loads of cargo room.
The HR-V will resemble the CR-V more than
the Fit - with sporty angles and curves.
It will have a 138-hp 1.8-liter four engine
and be available in either a six-speed manual
or CVT transmission. Additional options
include front- or all-wheel drive.
As is typical of Honda, they don't limit
core safety features to their high-end vehicles.
The HR-V will use Honda's Advanced Compatibility
Engineering II, or ACE II, body structure
which is designed to protect occupants by
dispersing crash energy around the passenger
space during an impact. It will even
include a multi-angle review camera.
Also rumored to be included as standard
features on all HR-V trim levels will be
standard Bluetooth connectivity, Pandora
Internet radio, and an Eco Assist system.
All trim levels are believed to include
an Eco friendly speedometer whose highlight
changes from white to green as it is driven
in a more fuel-efficient manner.
Like its Honda Fit sister, the 2016 HR-V
is outfitted with a rear "Magic Seat". This
rear seat can be Folded flat to increase
cargo capacity from 24.3 cu. ft. to a maximum
of 58 cu. ft. Or, you can easily flip the
rear seat cushion up to carry tall items
in the rear passenger compartment.
If you are looking for more high-tech features,
the HR-V will likely exceed your expectations
with its breadth of offerings:
- SMS Text Messaging (EX, EX-L)
- Smart Entry and push button start (EX, EX-L)
- Sirius XM Radio (EX-L)
- HD Radio (EX-L)
- 7-inch display Audio and Climate Control
(EX, EX-L)
- Honda Lane Watch(EX, EX-L)
It appears that the EPA ratings for the
HR-V place it at the top of its class for
MPG - a feature to be appreciated as gas
prices start increasing.
- 35 MPG highway / 28 mpg city - Front-wheel
drive with CVT automatic transmission
- 34 MPG highway / 25 mpg city - Front-wheel
drive with 6-speed manual transmission
- 32 MPG highway / 27 mpg city - Four-wheel
drive with CVT automatic transmission
Parts & Accessories
Bernardi Parts will offer a complete selection of all parts and accessories for the all new 2016 Honda HR-V is released. Those that are already available are listed below.