2025 Honda HR-V RS e:HEV: Electrified efficiency without the heft
One of the highlights of the recent Honda Cars Philippines Inc. media drive to Baguio was getting the chance to try out the all-new 2025 Honda HR-V RS e:HEV.
Officially launched last March, the hybrid-electric HR-V has an important role as the cheapest of Honda Cars’ electrified trio as of press time. This is particularly pressing as rivals like the hugely popular BYD Sealion 6 DM-i are priced at just P1,548,000, which is over P1 million less than the equivalent-size Honda CR-V e:HEV.
Given that the HR-V is already one of the best subcompact crossovers in the Philippines, how does it fare with electrified power?
Sharper styling
As with all 2025 HR-V models, this RS e:HEV variant gets revamped looks.
The biggest change is the trapezoidal front grill, which has been flipped upside-down so that the longer side is at the bottom. The e:HEV model is also the only one available in the very fetching Sand Khaki Pearl paint scheme, along with two-tone, 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 series tires.
Since the RS e:HEV is the top-spec HR-V, it gets a bevy of standard features like full leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging, touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an electrically operated tailgate.
The rear seats also get larger headrests for added comfort at the expense of rear visibility, which is somehow resolved by the rather blurry rear-view camera. And of course, Honda Cars’ truly exceptional Utility, Long, Tall or ULT seats allow you to fit all sorts of things inside the HR-V RS e:HEV.
Safety-wise, it gets front, side and curtain airbags, along with the exceptional Honda SENSING active-safety suite – the latter includes convenient and life-saving features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, which made our expressway drives much easier.
Size is just right
The HR-V RS e:HEV may be considerably smaller than the CR-V RS e:HEV, but it offers good space for four passengers.
This was quite apparent during the media drive when I, at 5 feet and 4 inches tall, and Zigwheels’ Ash Mahinay, who is over 6 feet tall, would trade places behind the wheel. We were not only able to get comfortable seating positions, but there remained sufficient room for people in the back.
The crossover’s subcompact dimensions also paid dividends on our drive down from Forest Lodge in Baguio via Kennon Road. With a fairly wide track and short wheelbase, the HR-V RS e:HEV made short work of even the steepest and twistiest sections of the famous highway, thanks to its firm yet pliant suspension and quick, well-weighted steering.
The electrified HR-V was likewise a delight when I got behind the wheel on the expressway, demonstrating excellent stability, minimal wind noise and very good brake feel. It is undoubtedly much nicer to drive than the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV.
Astounding fuel economy
But the biggest news with the HR-V RS e:HEV is its powertrain.
It packs a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. Together, they produce 129 horsepower and 253 Newton-meters of torque through a continuously variable transmission.
At low speeds, the vehicle stays in Electric Vehicle (EV) Mode to conserve fuel, with the engine starting up to recharge the battery or aid with hard acceleration. As with the CR-V RS e:HEV, this little crossover could use another 30 to 40 horsepower to make it as frisky as its turbocharged predecessor.
But what really grabbed our attention was the fuel consumption – as part of the fuel-economy challenge, we got 31.5 kilometers per liter in the 165-kilometer trip from Forest Lodge to the Tito Boy by Chef Bong restaurant in Clark, Pampanga.
Besides using some clever driving techniques, Ash made full use of the HR-V RS e:HEV’s regenerative braking system to ensure that we were always in EV Mode. Meanwhile, I maintained a steady 80 km/h and stayed a safe distance behind large vehicles to minimize wind resistance.
Overall, the 2025 Honda HR-V RS e:HEV offers a lot for P1,799,000. Although the price is higher than larger and more technologically advanced rivals from China, this electrified Honda can help you be frugal without taking all the fun away from driving.
