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By Parks McCants Jun 11 2015 - 12:48am

2016 Honda HR-V surprisingly stable in high winds, heavy truck traffic (Video)

I’m often asked by Torque News readers how subcompact Hondas handle in high side winds and heavy interstate traffic. 2016 Honda HR-V surprises!
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Cool looking? that’s a given. But how does Honda’s next best selling subcompact handle itself in high cross and headwinds while jockeying for position with 18 wheel semis on the interstate? If your significant other is anything like mine, he or she isn’t down with fighting heavy traffic of any kind in a vehicle slightly larger than a Honda Fit. Playing bumper tag with an 18 wheel long-haul for lane position? Forget about it!

Anyone that’s driven 2015 Honda Fit has an idea of 2016 HR-V’s agility in the city. When parking or maneuvering for a lane change, HR-V is akin to a 2 wheeler. Finding a parking space, albeit a small one, no problem. But how stable is HR-V under highway driving conditions?

Smaller than Honda’s best selling SUV CR-V, 2016 HR-V tips the scales at a bit under 3100 lbs in the top of the lineup AWD with navigation trim, and is 10 inches shorter than Honda Civic. No big thing!

Yet HR-V is surprisingly stable in crosswinds, while driven over transitionally, crappy road surfaces, or while fighting for position on the interstate while darting in and out of heavy truck traffic.

I recently drove 2016 HR-V south on Interstate 5 through Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and was surprised by the available passing torque, stability of ride, and braking prowess exhibited by Honda’s latest entry in the growing subcompact crossover segment.

Despite 30 mph headwinds, semi truck generated turbulence and 95* temperatures, HR-V held its own with the cruise control set at 73 mph. The 1.8 liter fuel injected i-VTEC 4 cylinder engine, Honda CVT transmission and Real Time ™ all-wheel-drive, worked together seamlessly presenting a pleasurable drive, ride experience while sipping gasoline and averaging 33 mpg.

You may catch my latest ‘initial’ drive assessment of 2016 Honda HR-V AWD with Navigation here. For those in the market for a subcompact 5 door, 5 passenger crossover, available in front wheel or all wheel drive, sporting very decent standard accessories, top of class fuel economy, and Honda Civic derived engine reliability, HR-V earns your consideration.

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Comments

Steve wrote on June 11, 2015 - 12:32pm
Will this get car of the year or SUV of the year?
Parks McCants wrote on June 11, 2015 - 1:46pm
I have no idea Steve. I find HR-V to be a fun, small entry into Honda's light truck based lineup. It's one of those vehicle designs that's unique unto itself. looking around, while there will be viable competition coming down the line from Mazda and others, there not here yet. Priced from $18,900 to $24,500 (fully loaded all wheel drive) This Honda offering will be tough to beat. However, as they say you get what you pay for. I personally prefer to step up to the power seat comfort and larger utility of CR-V. I'll leave it at that. Drive it, you may love it! Note: HR-V is an easy driver in town and "grows" on me the more I drive it. I find HR-V to return me to the early days of smaller Honda hatchbacks, with a bit more refinement and tech.
Steve G wrote on June 11, 2015 - 1:55pm
I went to the Honda dealer last weekend to buy an HRV. I found out that Honda does not make a trailer hitch for the HRV. I want the hitch not for a boat or trailer, I want the hitch so I can mount a large cooler so it won't take up room in the vehicle. I have not been able to find an aftermarket hitch for the HRV. Not having the option for a hitch is a no go for me. Sorry Honda.
Parks McCants wrote on June 11, 2015 - 5:14pm
Welcome back Steve G. HR-V has been on the market for a little more than 3 weeks. Before you throw it under the bus for a lack of aftermarket trailer hitch, I suggest you drop by Trailer-Pro, and ask an expert if they can fit a hitch to this Honda Fit based crossover. Warning: Honda doesn't rate this car or Fit in the U.S. and Canada for towing. it is however tow rated in other regions of the world. you will void your U.S. warranty by doing so. Take care. Note: You always have the option of up-ticking to CR-V. The attached Video has a short segment of CR-V towing a small tear drop trailer at 70 mph or so.
Steve G wrote on June 11, 2015 - 6:35pm
Install an aftermarket hitch on the HRV and void the warranty? No thanks
Steve G wrote on June 11, 2015 - 6:34pm
Put an aftermarket hitch on the HRV and void the warranty ? No thanks.
Rich wrote on June 11, 2015 - 8:38pm
upon reading about this vehicle I was excited, but after driving it last weekend, I am heading back to the Subaru lot. I currently drive a civic sedan which I love. The HRV rides like an elevated Fit, which rids like a go cart. Rough and poor acceleration.
Parks McCants wrote on June 11, 2015 - 8:55pm
Best of luck to you Rich.