PALATE CLEANSER
When we’re having a particularly heavy meal (like at a party with various dishes), we often need something to help clear all those flavors.
Some resort to ridiculously sweet beverages like softdrinks, while some have steamed mixed vegetables or a salad on the side. French cuisine even has something made specifically to help you better appreciate the flavors of each course – trou normand or “palate cleanser,” which is usually a fruity sorbet or small glass of brandy.
I was reminded of this culinary creation while driving the 2026 Honda HR-V S, which is the entry-level variant of Honda Cars Philippines’ long-running subcompact crossover. My work grants me the privilege of trying out the latest and most sophisticated automobiles on the market, but the bewildering number of features, gadgets and screens can become too much.
But do traditional cars like the HR-V S still have a place in a fast-evolving marketplace that is ushering in electrification?
Well-aged styling
It may surprise you to learn that the current-generation HR-V is already five years old.
But it certainly doesn’t show – this little Honda continues the model’s tradition of being one of the most original shapes on the road. This is largely thanks to crisp and handsome styling that has stood the test of time, particularly the high beltline, hidden rear door handles and the steeply raked rear windscreen that gives a more coupe-like silhouette.
The facelifted HR-V was introduced locally last year with minor changes like the revised front grill, which is still flanked by powerful LED headlights mounted at the very top of the hoodline. And despite being the base model, this S variant still gets two-tone, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60-series tires.
At the rear, the full-width LED taillights emphasize the HR-V’s width, while the pert bumper and subtle tailgate spoiler help add a sporty vibe. Overall, this Honda crossover relies on its distinctive form rather than chintzy trinkets to attract a wider range of potential buyers.
Robust, flexible cabin
Inside, the HR-V S shares the same soft, black leather upholstery as its more expensive siblings.
But details like the urethane steering wheel and manually adjustable front seats denote this crossover’s place in the lineup. These are, of course, no bad things – you get simple and robust components that will likely last for decades and decades (a sensation that even the likes of BYD have yet to fully replicate).
However, the use of hard plastics on the dashboard and door cards detracts from a more premium experience. And the rear seat remains a tight squeeze for three passengers (despite the addition of larger headrests in the facelifted models), but the clever Utility-Long-Tall system allows for maximum flexibility in carrying people or cargo.
Something that I truly adored in the HR-V S is the refreshing simplicity of the controls, which include separate knobs and switches for the powerful climate-control system. This philosophy extends to the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system – aside from having wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there are clear physical buttons for many major functions.
I find all this the perfect foil to the overwhelming and poorly presented tech in many Chinese cars that can drive you to distraction (and, more terrifyingly, to destruction). Things like the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i’s seemingly endless infotainment menus and the infuriating, screen-operated, side-mirror adjusters in the Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM come to mind.
And with global automotive legislation and market demand now requiring more physical controls, Honda Cars was absolutely wise to stick with a more traditional approach to the HR-V’s interior design. Long may this continue.
Proven performance
Under the hood of the HR-V S is yet another piece of well-proven, Japanese engineering.
You get a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine that produces 119 horsepower and 145 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a continuously variable transmission. Performance is reasonable, but sorely lacking compared to electrified Chinese crossovers like the MG ZS Hybrid+ and the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i.
And although fuel economy is good for a subcompact crossover – we got 10 to 13 kilometers in the city and 20 to 23 kilometers per liter on the expressway – more modern rivals like the Sealion 5 DM-i can do even better, along with offering useful range on battery power alone.
But where the HR-V S absolutely beats the Chinese upstarts into submission is how satisfying it is to drive. The steering has a solid and stable feel at dead-center, but offers light and quick turns for a feeling of supreme agility, even at higher speeds.
Adding to the confidence is the well-engineered ride and handling that ably balances comfort and cornering stability. And then there are the powerful brakes that are reasonably easy to modulate, although a firmer brake pedal would be greatly appreciated.
Finally, all HR-V models come standard with the sensational Honda SENSING advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that comes with a bevy of convenient and life-saving features. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System and Lane Departure Warning.
Basic, but not bare
Overall, the 2026 Honda HR-V S exemplifies many of the Japanese carmaker’s best attributes by offering an unmatched amalgam of high-tech gear, immense practicality and a supreme driving experience.
But at P1,450,000, it is priced quite high relative to traditional Japanese rivals like the P1,308,000 Toyota Yaris Cross V and the P1,479,000 Nissan Kicks e-POWER – the latter is not only better equipped and more powerful, but also more economical thanks to its hybrid powerplant.
And for Filipinos who don’t mind experimenting, they may be swayed by more advanced crossovers from the People’s Republic like the P1,248,888 BYD Sealion 5 DM-i and the P1,328,888 MG ZS Hybrid+, with the latter also offering full ADAS.
Then again, some people just want to sit and drive – this Honda achieves this brilliantly, without leaving a bad aftertaste. Just be ready to pay up.
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