Replacing the Yaris: HR-V

[djct_watt]

Hi guys,

Hoping to get some feedback from the experts.

I love my '10 Yaris 5dr, but it's time to change. I'm considering the new civic, but have my eye set on the Honda HR-V. Please don't sell me on the Civic, as I know it's likely a better choice.

What I want to know, is if any of you have tested (long term or short) the HR-V, and how the ride quality and cabin noise compares to the Yaris. I hear the ride sucks on the HR-V, but truth be told, it can't be much worse than my current car.

Would this be any kind of upgrade? A loaded HR-V is similar in price to mid spec civic, hence my hang up. Further, the local market loaded versions are really nice (panoramic roof, rain sensing wipers, led headlamps, etc).

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[MugenRep]

Do you need power?

Do you need space?

Do you need AWD?

Do you need ground clearance?

Do you have an under 2 year old?

Do you prefer new engine/trans tech over old?

[kimona]

I test drove the HR-V shortly after it was introduced. I thought it was a nice looking car; the sheet metal's curves and angles seem to make some sense... quite unlike many over-the-top "Yugio" designs of late.

The only thing I didn't like about the exterior design was the absence of door handles on the rear doors; it just looks weird, and then you tend to put your hands all over the door when closing it from the outside.

The interior was well designed and the materials looked/felt good. But, I found the seat cushions very short; it felt as if I would slide right off the seat when braking if I didn't have a seat belt to hold me in place.

The car handled fairly well, but certainly not as good as the nimble Yaris, and ride quality was good. The sore point was the CVT transmission. Yikes! That thing is a bloody dog! The droning noise and the sluggish acceleration were more than disappointing. That killed it for me. Nice car, but it needs a conventional transmission. But, I understand the HR-V is available with a stick shift... that gets good reviews. So, if you like a manual transmission, then the car may work very well for you.

Do yourself s favour and test-drive the Mazda CX-3.

[SirDigby]

yes. I would also suggest mazda. the regular 3 has more interior room and better gas millage than the CX-3, but the CX-3 has AWD and a little more ground clearance. the cx-5 is a great vehicle!

[djct_watt]

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, no need for AWD. I just need more space, without a significantly bigger car, a smoother ride, and updated safety tech. Also, a slightly higher ride height would be good, due to frequent flash floods in my area.

Mazda would be great, but I worry a bit about reliability vs Toyota and Honda. The CX-3 was originally top of my list, but inside it feels smaller than my Yaris. The 3 is also a good contender, but I might just go for a civic in that case. The CX-5 is just too big and too expensive sadly.

The biggest point against Mazda at this point is the proprietary head unit. Android auto isn't available here, and I'm keen to get an aftermarket unit with both apply car play and android auto / mirroring.

Thanks for the feedback guys! As far as I take it then, not many here are fans of the HR-V?

[IllusionX]

The CX-3 is way better in every aspect than the HR-V.

Mazda has been reliable for us (at the company). Of the 4 Mazda we have (2010 mazda 3, and 2012 Mazda 2 and 5), none have had any issues in 6 years except for a wheel bearing.

Mazda used to be known for rust, but none have any rust after all these years and they don't get rust proof treatment and not washed often.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[djct_watt]

Well noted. I'll take another serious look at the 3. I love the CX-3, but I'm just too fat to either fit comfortably or not get claustrophobic. Plus the rear hatch space (seats up) is horrendous.

[dogsridewith]

Todd Burlage (www.wheelbasemedia.com) in "The Near Future" article (this week's Autoconnection mag) captions a photo:"The Toyota C-HR will be Toyota's answer to the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX3."

[MadMax]

Todd Burlage (www.wheelbasemedia.com) in "The Near Future" article (this week's Autoconnection mag) captions a photo:"The Toyota C-HR will be Toyota's answer to the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX3."

The Toyota C-HR is hideous and looks unnecessarily cramped! :barf:

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/750x422/quality/95/http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/381/728/8/S3817288/slug/l/05-2017-toyota-c-hr-hybrid-geneva-1.jpg

I also suspect it has very poor visibility for the driver given the design.

I don't know who is designing vehicles at Toyota and Honda lately, but they are driving me towards Mazda for my next purchase!

[Thirty-Nine]

You can read my review here:

http://www.subcompactculture.com/2016/01/2016-honda-hr-v-ex-l-navi-introverted.html

[kimona]

The Toyota C-HR is hideous and looks unnecessarily cramped! :barf:

I also suspect it has very poor visibility for the driver given the design.

I don't know who is designing vehicles at Toyota and Honda lately, but they are driving me towards Mazda for my next purchase!

I completely agree!

[invader166]

Todd Burlage (www.wheelbasemedia.com) in "The Near Future" article (this week's Autoconnection mag) captions a photo:"The Toyota C-HR will be Toyota's answer to the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX3."

This, to me looks more comparable to a Nissan Juke than a HR-V.

Well noted. I'll take another serious look at the 3. I love the CX-3, but I'm just too fat to either fit comfortably or not get claustrophobic. Plus the rear hatch space (seats up) is horrendous.

It's a shame the Mazda 6 in North America is only available in sedan form. I'd love a diesel AWD Mazda 6 wagon.:wub:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/05/european-first-drive-mazda-6-wagon-2-2-d-awd/

[kimona]

It's a shame the Mazda 6 in North America is only available in sedan form. I'd love a diesel AWD Mazda 6 wagon.:wub:



I love wagons. I wish there were more (small) wagons in North America. Unfortunately, SUV's have taken over that segment.

[scratchpaddy]

Wagons had their day for a while, then minivans came along and ate their lunch. Now crossovers are eating the minivan's lunch. I'm hoping some retro-chic trend will bring the wagons back some day before autonomous pods come and eat everybody's lunch.

[ern-diz]

Focus ST/RS, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra GT, Subie WRX/STI (albeit retired for the moment)...

I think wagons are doing okay. If I'm honest, I'm starting to really like the looks of the latest Mazda 3 wagon. I can really see it slammed on some nice wheels in that beautiful dark blue they offer it in. The front grille is really growing on me.