Overview
With structural engineering based on the Honda Global Compact Series, the 2016 HR-V is perfectly designed for active lifestyles. It offers an incredibly spacious and versatile interior courtesy of its unique packaging; including a center-mounted fuel tank that enables use of a 2nd-Row Magic Seat® that can fold completely flat to extend the rear floor area. Compared to the Honda Fit LX, the HR-V LX is 9.1 inches longer, has a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase and is 3.2 inches taller. It is also 2.8 inches wider, and has a 2.1-inch wider front and 2.6-inch wider rear track. Utilizing Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body-structure, the HR-V uses high-strength steel and advanced manufacturing techniques to achieve a highly rigid body-structure that benefits ride, handling, durability and safety.
Key Body Features
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body-structure
- Advanced body manufacturing techniques
- Class-leading aerodynamic targets
- Advanced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures
- Targeted IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score
Construction
The HR-V’s body is constructed with high-tensile steel and hot-stamped steel reinforcements and stiffeners. The result is low weight with high rigidity, which directly contributes to accurate steering, precise handling, excellent ride quality, low NVH and high durability. The use of ultra-high-strength steel is an essential part of the HR-V’s construction, with 27 percent of the body-structure using these advanced materials.
Key areas for high strength steel include:
- Front cross beam
- Upper A-pillars and roof side rails
- Lower A-pillar structures ahead of door opening
- Lower side sills
- Upper and lower front frame rails
- B-pillars
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™)
As an integral part of the HR-V’s structure, Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body-structure enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. ACE utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, thus reducing the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. ACE channels frontal crash energy to both upper and lower structural elements, including the floor frame rails, side sills and A-pillars. (See Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Rigidity
In addition to the use of ultra-high-strength steel to improve rigidity, the HR-V uses high-efficiency frame joints in several key areas of the body-structure, including at the top and bottom of the A-, B- and C-pillars. These frame joints also require fewer reinforcing parts, resulting in both a stiffer and lighter structure. Three additional areas of the body have received special attention to make them even more rigid. These include the front subframe and lower dash cross member, the rear damper mounting structure, and the rear hatch opening. (See Exterior section for more information.)
Aerodynamics
The HR-V was designed to have class-leading aerodynamic performance, which helps improve both fuel efficiency and interior quietness. Specially shaped components at the front of the vehicle guide airflow through the radiator and into the engine’s cold-air intake, while channeling the remaining airflow over, around and under the vehicle. Additional aerodynamic strakes and panels are found inside the wheel wells, and underneath the body. Along with carefully shaped A-pillars, these all contribute to the HR-V’s efficient passage through the air. The sloped roofline further improves aerodynamic efficiency, as does the fin-style antenna at the rear of the roof and the EX-L Navi’s standard roof rails. On all trim levels, a spoiler helps airflow separate cleanly from the roof panel just above the rear window.
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Countermeasures
A host of NVH features are designed to create a quiet and sophisticated cabin environment. This applies even during the most common situations where noise levels increase, including full-throttle acceleration, traveling over rough roads, and at highway speeds.
Key acoustic insulation features include:
- Sound-absorbing front and rear inner fenders
- Sound-absorbing front floor under covers
- Sound-absorbing interior carpeting
- 360-degree sealing around all doors and rear hatch opening
- Extra sealing at lower and rear door edges
- Hood and rear of engine compartment insulator
Safety Ratings
Honda engineers designed the HR-V with a goal to earn top-class collision safety ratings, including a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Starting with its next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, the 2016 HR-V offers numerous standard active and passive safety features and includes many standard and available driver-assistive technologies. (See Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Body Specifications
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