2016 Honda HR-V: First Look

Competes With: Kia Soul, Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Juke

Looks Like: The CR-V’s smaller, much sportier looking sibling

Drivetrain: 138-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder; continuously variable automatic or six-speed manual transmission; two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

Hits Dealerships: Early 2015

What’s bigger than the Honda Fit subcompact hatchback but smaller than the Honda CR-V compact crossover? Sliding into the tiny space between the automaker’s popular compacts is the new-for-2016 HR-V.

Related: More 2014 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Honda calls the HR-V a multidimensional vehicle and promises “fun-to-drive performance, class-leading fuel economy ratings and unmatched interior spaciousness and cabin versatility,” it said in a statement. It debuted today at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Exterior

Honda has distinguished the HR-V’s styling from both the Fit and the CR-V. It wears none of the subcompact hatchback’s angular wedginess and even less of the compact crossover’s blocky rear-end cues. Instead, the HR-V’s profile strikes a sportier, coupelike stance with strong horizontal lines, a swooping roofline and concealed rear door handles. Up front, a large two-tier grille with honeycomb cutouts and angular headlights accent its sportiness.

Interior

The HR-V seats five passengers, and Honda says its spacious and versatile interior is made possible by the crossover’s center-mounted fuel tank; it adds additional passenger room, like in the Fit. Also borrowed from the Fit, the HR-V uses Honda’s Magic Seat front passenger seat, which can fold completely flat for increased storage space.

The HR-V has 100.1 cubic feet of maximum passenger volume (in the LX trim, 96.1 in EX and EX-L trim) and when the second row is folded, 58.8 cubic feet of space. Impressive, considering the larger CR-V has only slightly more passenger space (101.5 cubic feet). With the seats up, there’s 24.3 cubic feet of room behind the HR-V’s second row, not quite as roomy as the CR-V’s 35.3 cubic feet but on par with the 2015 Kia Soul (24.2 cubic feet) and far more than the Chevrolet Trax (18.7 cubic feet).

LX, EX and EX-L trims will be available; standard features include power windows, power mirrors, and power door and tailgate locks; a rearview camera; aluminum-alloy wheels; a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls; Bluetooth phone connectivity; and Pandora radio. Uplevel trims get a 7-inch touch-screen audio system, the LaneWatch safety system, push-button start, paddle shifters, SiriusXM radio, HD Radio, heated front seats, a power sunroof, navigation and leather trim.

Under the Hood

The HR-V borrows its powertrain from the Civic; the 1.8-liter four-cylinder makes 138 horsepower in the HR-V, down from the Civic’s 143 hp. In the HR-V, it’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission; two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are available.

Honda claims the HR-V will have best-in-class fuel economy, but didn’t release figures. The 2015 Civic with the 1.8-liter and CVT is EPA rated at 30/39/33 mpg city/highway/combined. If the HR-V’s ratings come close, it’ll stack up favorably against the Kia Soul’s base engine (24/30/26) and the Chevrolet Trax (26/34/29), two of its main competitors.

The HR-V goes on sale early next year; Honda has not yet released pricing but has said it will start below the CR-V. The 2015 CR-V starts at $24,200 including destination. 

Manufacturer images