The brand new HR-V’s 2.0-liter engine will get 17 hp and 11 lb-ft upgrades in comparison with the outdated automobile, however we’re extra excited about how the engine drives as an entire. Honda guarantees extra effectivity and refinement, which is good news if the engine is smoother, quieter, and extra responsive than the outgoing mannequin’s. It’s, and we instantly appreciated the smoothness with which the HR-V pulled away for the primary time. The usual CVT gearbox had the potential to trigger alarm, however it’s a refined unit that provides to the expertise, programmed to create stronger engine braking when going downhill fairly than feeling like a unfastened rubbery factor separated from the remainder of the expertise.
In customary kind, the HR-V is front-wheel-drive, however Honda’s Actual Time AWD system is optionally available and was outfitted to our tester, including Hill Descent Management. The HR-V comes with three predominant drive modes, Regular, Snow, and Econ. Regular is self-explanatory, whereas Snow softens the throttle response, will increase the adjusts the transmission and AWD for slippery situations, and turns off the automated engine cease/begin operate. Econ does the identical as different Honda fashions by altering the enter ratios for the throttle to maximise effectivity and makes use of a extra environment friendly cycle for the air-con. On this mode, two-wheel-drive variations return an estimated 26/32/28 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed, whereas the all-wheel-drive fashions return 25/30/27 mpg.