The Uniquely Personal and Functional 2016 Honda HR-V Goes On Sale May 15 Bringing a Shot of Energy to Growing Entry Crossover Market

TORRANCE, Calif., April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With bold and sporty coupe-like styling, SUV versatility, 35 mpg highway fuel economy rating (2WD CVT), and Honda packaging magic, the all-new 2016 Honda HR-V is set to challenge the growing entry crossover market when it hits Honda dealerships nationwide on May 15. The all-new Honda HR-V crossover will deliver incredible value with a long list of standard features and technologies including 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button electric parking brake, rearview camera with guidelines, Pandora^® radio and Bluetooth^® HandsFreeLink^®1 – all for a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at just $19,115.

Available in LX, EX and EX-L Navi trims, the 2016 HR-V is powered by a highly refined and efficient 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC^® engine producing a peak 141 horsepower² and 127 lb.-ft. of torque³. The engine is paired with one of two efficient and responsive Honda transmissions, a seamless and sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT), available on all models, or an engaging, short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, available on LX and EX models with 2WD.

The HR-V also targets class-leading safety ratings and features Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision protection. The HR-V is designed to achieve top safety ratings: an NCAP five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Developed on the new global platform, the HR-V utilizes a center-mounted fuel tank layout and reconfigurable 2nd-Row Magic Seat^® to deliver voluminous interior space along with a flexible cabin featuring multiple seating/cargo modes. With 100.1 cu.-ft. of passenger space and 58.8 cu.-ft. of cargo volume (LX FWD) with the 2nd-Row seats folded down, the HR-V has space to rival some competitors' midsize SUV offerings.

The HR-V's dynamic appearance and sporty, solid stance is aided by its coupe-like cabin shape and bold and powerfully tapered face. Distinctive side contours, including a sharply upswept character line and deeply sculpted lower body flow into a tapered rear fascia that adds to the visual appeal. Concealed rear door handles further enhance the HR-V's coupe-like appearance.

The equally sporty and sophisticated interior features an expansive, airy cockpit with an abundance of soft-touch materials and premium detailing punctuated by precise bezels, sophisticated stitch lines and up-market brushed chrome and piano black highlights – all fitting its mission as a youthful yet refined personal crossover vehicle. The three-meter driver's instrument cluster features "floating" illumination rings and Honda's ECO Assist™ feature, wherein the speedometer illumination changes from white to green depending on current fuel efficiency.

Powertrain and Drivetrain
Power comes from a highly refined and responsive 1.8-liter SOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with i-VTEC^® valvetrain, producing a peak 141 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a sporty and fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda "G-design" shift logic, or a slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission (LX and EX FWD only). The HR-V is available with front-wheel-drive or with Honda's Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System™ for outstanding all-weather traction and control.

Body and Chassis
The HR-V utilizes a unique center-mounted fuel tank layout that enables the 2^nd-Row Magic Seat^® to fold completely flat into the floor, creating a more spacious and versatile interior package. Driving efficiency, handling performance and cabin quietness are further aided by an aerodynamic shape and a lightweight yet rigid body structure with significant noise-insulating materials and design features. The body utilizes Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision protection, and 27 percent of the body is composed of advanced ultra-high strength steel for improved rigidity that enhances collision-protection, handling response, ride quality and a quiet cabin environment.

Fully independent front and torsion-beam rear suspension systems with amplitude reactive dampers maximize rear seating and cargo space while also providing outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality. Electric Power Steering (EPS) provides a refined and sporty steering feel while minimizing energy requirements. All models feature power-assisted four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Hill Start Assist, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and 215/55R17 all-season tires.

Safety and Driver-Assistive Technology
Utilizing advanced safety technologies and design features, including Honda's next-generation ACE™ body structure, the HR-V is expected to achieve top-class collision safety performance ratings – a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a GOOD rating in the rigorous IIHS small-overlap frontal collision test.

Standard safety and driver-assistive features include four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®6 electronic stability control system; an Expanded View Driver's Mirror; a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera⁷; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; driver and front passenger SmartVent^® side airbags; side-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions; and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)⁸. Honda LaneWatch^®9 display is included with EX and EX-L Navi trims.

Features and Trims
The HR-V offers a high level of standard equipment for an affordable crossover vehicle, along with a long list of available premium features to accommodate a wide variety of consumer needs. LX and EX trims with front-wheel drive can be equipped with either the 6-speed manual transmission or sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT), and all models can be specified as front-wheel-drive or equipped with Real Time AWD™.  Models with Real Time AWD™ are available only with a CVT.

LX comfort and convenience features

• 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels
• Electric parking brake
• Rearview camera with guidelines
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth^®10 HandsFreeLink^® phone interface
• 160-watt, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD
• USB input¹¹
• Bluetooth^® HandsFreeLink^® phone interface
• Audio with 5-inch color LCD screen
• Auto-off headlights
• Auxiliary jack
• Cargo area light
• ECO Assist with ECON mode
• Extendable sunvisors
• 12-volt power outlets (front/second row)
• LED taillights
• One-touch turn signals
• LED pocket light
• Rear heater ducts
• Two-speed intermittent windshield wipers
• Reverse-linked intermittent rear windshield wiper
• 60/40 split 2nd-Row Magic Seat^®
• Speed-sensitive audio volume control
• Power windows and door locks
• Expanded View Driver's Mirror
• Floor mats

EX additions

• 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio¹² connectivity interface
• Honda LaneWatch^® Display
• 180-watt, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD
• Pandora^®13 radio compatible
• Heated front seats
• One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature
• Smart Entry and Push-Button Start
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (CVT only)
• Auto-on/off headlights
• Fog lights
• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
• Second USB jack
• SMS Text Message functionality
• Automatic climate control system with air filtration
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated body-colored side mirrors with turn indicators
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Lighted vanity mirrors
• Chrome interior door handles, speaker rings and air vent trims

EX-L Navi additions

• Leather-trimmed seats
• Leather steering wheel and leather shift knob
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™¹⁴
• SiriusXM^®15 radio, HD Radio™¹⁶ and Honda Digital Traffic
• Auto day/night rearview mirror
• Roof rails

The 2016 Honda HR-V is covered by a comprehensive 3-year/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. Additional benefits of ownership include Honda Roadside Assistance, which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance during the 3-year/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty term. The HR-V was developed by Honda R&D Co. Ltd. in Japan, and will be manufactured at Honda's eighth and newest auto plant in North America, in Celaya, Mexico.

¹ MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax, license, registration, $880 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

² 141 horsepower @ 6500 rpm (SAE net)

³ 127 lb-ft @4300 rpm (SAE net)

⁴ Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.

⁵ LEV2 ULEV (Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle) models as certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

⁶ VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle's course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.

⁷ Always visually confirm that it is safe to drive before backing up; the rearview camera display does not provide complete information about all conditions and objects at the rear of your vehicle.

⁸  For optimal tire wear and performance, tire pressure should be checked regularly with a gauge. Do not rely solely on the monitor system. Please see your Honda dealer for details.

⁹ Display accuracy will vary based on weather, size of object and speed, and the display may not show all relevant traffic. The display is not a substitute for your own direct visual assessment of traffic conditions before changing lanes.

¹⁰ The Bluetooth^® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

¹¹ The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work.

¹²  The Display Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and streaming from some current [Apple/Android] smartphones. For safety reasons, always launch HondaLink applications or perform any other operation on your phone only when the vehicle is safely parked. State or local laws may limit use of texting feature, and Assist functions may be terminated without notice. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply. Please see HondaLink terms and conditions for details.

¹³  Pandora, the Pandora logo, and the Pandora trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. Used with permission. Compatible with select smartphones. See: www.pandora.com/everywhere/mobile. Not all devices compatible with USB connection. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply.

¹⁴ The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on EX-L Navi trims in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. (Honda HD Digital Traffic service only available in the United States, except Alaska)

¹⁵ SiriusXM services require a subscription after any trial period. If you decide to continue your SiriusXM service at the end of your trial subscription, the plan you choose will automatically renew and bill at then-current rates until you call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See our Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. Fees and programming subject to change. XM satellite service is available only to those at least 18 years and older in the 48 contiguous United States and D.C. ©2014 Sirius XM Radio Inc. Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc.

¹⁶ HD Radio is a proprietary trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150429/212626
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73520

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Related Links

http://www.honda.com