By Otsile Kadiege

Honda Motor Southern Africa has given its popular HR-V a subtle yet meaningful makeover. Now only available in the Elegance trim, the updated HR-V is aimed at offering South Africans a stylish, practical and well-specced compact SUV without breaking the bank.

Bold new look
The refreshed HR-V steps out with a more assertive look up front thanks to a sleek, body-coloured grille that blends nicely with the SUV’s clean lines. Around the back, there’s a modern full-width LED taillight strip that gives the HR-V a more premium vibe, complemented by a glossy black bumper garnish.

Another standout feature is the set of new 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels that enhance its road presence. Honda is offering five stylish colours to choose from – including eye-catching Pearlescent and Metallic shades like Opal White, Meteoroid Grey and Ignite Red.

Eco-conscious and comfortable cabin
Step inside and you’re greeted by a cabin that mixes comfort with a touch of sustainability. The eco-friendly leather upholstery feels plush and helps reduce environmental impact. Honda has also tweaked the centre console design for improved usability. You now get both Type A and C USB ports, and the convenience of a wireless 15W smartphone charger comes standard.

Infotainment duties are handled by an intuitive 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – so no more fumbling with cables.

Familiar but efficient power
While most of the updates are skin-deep, the HR-V sticks with its trusted and efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It produces 89 kW and 145 Nm, mated to a CVT gearbox for a smooth and relaxed driving experience.

Fuel economy is one of the HR-V’s strong suits – Honda claims an average of 6.0l/100 km, and with a 40-litre tank, you could see up to 667 km between fill-ups depending on how you drive.

Safety and driver assistance features
One of the biggest wins with this update is the addition of Honda’s full Sensing safety suite as standard – something previously only found in higher-end variants. This means you now get advanced driver aids like: Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Auto High Beam LED Headlights and six airbags

Well-specced Elegance trim
The HR-V Elegance trim is a clever blend of features from the outgoing Comfort and Executive models. For the price, it offers a lot of kit: leather seat, Smart Keyless Entry, Honda Magic Seats, 6-speaker audio system, 15W wireless charger, 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting and the full Honda Sensing suite

Price and warranty
The refreshed Honda HR-V Elegance comes in at R539,900. It’s backed by a 5-year / 200,000 km warranty, a 4-year / 60,000 km service plan, and 3 years of AA roadside assistance – ticking all the right boxes for ownership peace of mind.