Stylish and versatile - The All-New HR-V with Honda SENSING conquers the winding roads of Tagaytay – Anilao
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) conducted a media test drive event in Tagaytay and Anilao, Batangas featuring the All-New Honda HR-V with Honda SENSING. To ensure the safety of the participants, 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 event highlighted the All-New HR-V’s contemporary style, cutting-edge technology, versatile and spacious interior, and dynamic performance and handling. Through the city and winding roads from Bonifacio Global City, Taguig to Tagaytay then Anilao, Batangas, the participants got to experience the All-New HR-V’s capabilities with its two variants, namely the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING and the S CVT Honda SENSING.
Before the start of the drive, the participants got a glimpse of the All-New HR-V’s exterior features. Here, they were able to fully appreciate its aggressive look with premium and sporty details with its newly shaped headlights and foglamps that house standard LEDs with turn light signals, auto on/off function, and features Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), providing the driver that optimized visibility on the road. For the grille, the All-New HR-V V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING is fitted with a mesh-type grille, while the base S CVT Honda SENSING comes with a black bar type grille. One notable design cue on the range-topping V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING is the sport-type bumper with the Amp Up Line design, giving the vehicle that added character.
Going over the side, Honda’s latest crossover features a sharp body line 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.
Participants were also able to see first-hand one of the most striking design cues of the All-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.
On the inside, the All-New 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 for the media participants. For starters, participants were entertained by the 8-inch touchscreen display audio paired with a 6-speaker sound system. The experience is 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.
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 to all the participants seated in the cabin during the drive. Also, for better convenience, both trims of the All-New 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 All-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.
Powering the All-New HR-Vs throughout the guided drive are the two engines, namely, the 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine for the base S CVT Honda SENSING, which produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, and the V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING variant that features a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine, making it the first-ever turbo-powered HR-V. The said engine puts out a mighty 177 PS and 240 Nm of torque. Both mills are then paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for an efficient and refined driving experience.
Participants also got the option to try the 3 distinct driving modes of the All-New 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.
Throughout the drive, the participants were able to test select Honda SENSING features such as the 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, including automatic braking and acceleration as needed.
Another feature they also got to try was the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), which guided steering to keep the vehicle well-positioned inside its lane. Its safety feature of the steering wheel vibrating, and an icon popping up on the digital display showed that the vehicle senses the car departing the lane without the use of turn signals.
Furthermore, the Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW) was also demonstrated. The RDM feature prevents the vehicle from leaving the road. Lane Departure Warning (LDW), on the other hand, notifies the driver when the car is going off course. The system only does this when the driver departs the lane without using the turn signal lights.
Upon arriving in Tagaytay Highlands, the participants were treated to an exclusive course where they got to further test the different Honda SENSING features. Here, aside from once again testing the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), they were also able to experience the Low-Speed Follow (LSF), which makes it easier to drive in stop-and-go traffics, a perfect feature that's set to make your EDSA rush-hour crawl a little more bearable.
Participants also got to experience the latest addition to the Honda SENSING suite of safety features, the Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN). It alerts the driver of the vehicle when the car in front has moved ahead from a standstill.
Lastly, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) warns and helps the driver avoid a frontal collision or reduce the impact when unavoidable by providing the driver with visual and audible warnings. It will also automatically apply the brakes when necessary. The audible alarm will stop once the system detects that there is no more risk of collision.
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.
The participants conquered the streets of Bonifacio Global City, Tagaytay, and Anilao with peace of mind through the All-New HR-V’s state-of-the-art safety features. They 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 All-New HR-V, and Hill-Start Assist (HAS)—all which contributed to providing a smooth and worry-free drive.
In addition, the All-New 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”.
The All-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 now to the VIRTUAL SHOWROOM or visit any of 37 authorized Honda Cars dealerships nationwide to know more about the All-New HR-V, the Honda SENSING, and the latest promos and offers from Honda.
