The compact SUV segment has seen changes in the past 3 years in terms of quantity. However, 5 years ago, consumers did not have as many options as they do now. At that time, there were only 2 competitors besides the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Ford EcoSport. Among them, the American model had the advantage in terms of sales. The Honda HR-V was launched after the other two and was also the most expensive model in the segment.
As a banking professional in Bac Ninh, Mr. Le Dinh Khoa (44 years old), the owner of a 2018 Honda HR-V, shares detailed insights about his car that has been accompanying his family for the past 5 years.
Mr. Khoa has used his Honda HR-V for 5 years and is quite satisfied with the car
Hello Mr. Khoa! How many kilometers has your Honda HRV 2018 traveled so far?
I bought the Honda HR-V 2018 as one of the first batch from Honda Vietnam, and it is also my first car. Until now, the car has traveled 70,000 km.
At the time I bought the HR-V, there were not many compact SUV options for small families like there are now. At that time, besides the HR-V, there were the Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Kona.
One of my friends was driving the Ford EcoSport at that time. I also test drove it and found it to be quite good and suitable for my criteria. Ford had just started opening dealerships in Bac Ninh at that time.
The Hyundai Kona was also an option, but it was too small and more suitable for women.
However, when I happened to watch a video about the launch of the Honda HR-V in Thailand, I quickly changed my decision. I waited for the car to arrive in Vietnam, even though I didn’t know the price in Vietnam yet, but the car was really beautiful.
The selling price of the Honda HRV at that time was higher than the average market price. Did you notice that?
Yes, the selling price was indeed high. It was a difficult decision, but since I liked it, I had to try to save more money. Seeing the flooding scenes, I was determined to buy a versatile high-ground clearance car. It is a reputable brand, fully imported from Thailand, so I felt reassured.
In addition to the Honda HR-V, most people in that price range would choose a higher segment model like the Hyundai Tucson, which has a beautiful design and many amenities. What do you think personally?
In 2018, with 900 million VND, I could consider the Hyundai Tucson, but it didn’t seem suitable for me. The criteria were a high-ground clearance versatile car, and a compact size for city driving.
I saw the Hyundai Tucson, it was average, with a bigger and taller body, but the features were not outstanding. If I chose the Tucson, I had a better alternative, which was the Honda CR-V.
What is your evaluation of the Honda HR-V after using it for 5 years?
I have mentioned the advantages above, it is a beautiful car that matches my taste. It is durable, easy to drive, and has no faults. Just regular maintenance and driving.
Some drawbacks I have noticed are that the soundproofing and noise reduction of the Honda HR-V are not good, but they can be improved. After 30,000 km, I changed the tires to a more comfortable set, which significantly improved the noise level.
The LED headlights of the car have low brightness, so I also upgraded them later. The steering wheel is a bit heavy for women.
After 5 years of use and 70,000 km, the car is still in good condition with no faults. The fuel consumption on mixed roads is around 6.8-7 liters/100 km, which I think is reasonable.
Your Honda HR-V is the previous generation model without the Honda Sensing active safety system. Do you think that system is important?
It is an advanced system and worth the investment. Nowadays, car manufacturers are competing a lot and people are paying more attention to safety features.
You live in Bac Ninh, so the cost of owning a car in the province seems to be lower than in Hanoi, right?
Yes, that’s right. I don’t have to pay for parking at work or at home. I only have to pay for fuel, which is usually around 2.5 million VND per month.
The Honda HR-V is your first car, and you have praised it a lot. So, are you a fan of Honda?
Every car has its good and not-so-good aspects. The Honda HR-V is the same, my whole family has been traveling with it for 5 years, so we have experienced all its advantages and disadvantages.
Thank you for this interview!
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