The 2019 Honda HR-V marks a significant step forward in safety for this subcompact SUV. Introduced in 2016, the Honda HR-V received crucial structural enhancements starting in 2019, specifically to bolster occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes. This article delves into a comprehensive breakdown of the 2019 Honda HR-V safety ratings, drawing from rigorous tests conducted to evaluate its crashworthiness across various scenarios. For anyone prioritizing safety when considering a Honda HR-V 2019, this detailed analysis provides essential insights.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end, on the driver side in this case, impacts a barrier. This is a particularly challenging test, designed to assess how well the car’s structure and safety systems protect the driver in such offset frontal impacts.
The 2019 Honda HR-V EX 4-door 4wd model was subjected to this demanding test, and the results are highly encouraging.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints & Kinematics | Good |
The “Good” rating across all categories signifies robust performance in the driver-side small overlap front crash test. Key structural reinforcements implemented in the Honda HR-V 2019 model year clearly contributed to these positive outcomes.
Action shot from the Honda HR-V 2019 driver-side small overlap crash test, demonstrating vehicle deformation and safety system deployment.
Driver dummy position post-crash in the 2019 Honda HR-V small overlap test, showing excellent maintenance of survival space within the vehicle.
Effective deployment of frontal and side curtain airbags in the 2019 Honda HR-V during the small overlap crash test, protecting the driver’s head.
Leg and foot space for the driver in the 2019 Honda HR-V remained intact after the small overlap crash test, indicating low risk of lower extremity injuries.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
Detailed measurements from the driver-side small overlap front test provide a deeper understanding of the Honda HR-V 2019‘s performance.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 6 |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left Toepan | 5 |
| Brake Pedal | 6 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 3 |
| Steering Column | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 5 |
| Upper Dash | 5 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 4 |
These measurements indicate minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment, which is crucial for maintaining survival space and reducing injury risk.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 179 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.21 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.0 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.38 |
| Right | 0.34 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.7 |
| Right | 2.0 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 68 |
| Right | 43 |
The low injury measures recorded for the driver dummy further validate the “Good” ratings, confirming effective protection for critical body regions in a driver-side small overlap frontal crash scenario for the 2019 Honda HR-V.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
While driver-side protection is paramount, passenger safety is equally important. The passenger-side small overlap front crash test assesses how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar offset frontal impact. For the Honda HR-V 2019, this test was conducted and rated by Honda, and the results were assigned by the Institute.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Passenger Restraints & Kinematics | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver Restraints & Kinematics | Good |
Although the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, all injury measures for both passenger and driver are rated “Good”. This suggests that while there might be some structural differences compared to the driver side, the Honda HR-V 2019 still provides good overall protection for occupants in a passenger-side small overlap frontal crash.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Footrest | 9 |
| Right Toepan | 10 |
| Center Toepan | 6 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 4 |
| Center Dash | 8 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Upper Dash | 11 |
| Right Lower Dash | 10 |
The intrusion measurements on the passenger side are generally higher than on the driver side, which explains the “Acceptable” rating for structure and safety cage.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 295 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.1 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 18 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 21 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 2.0 |
| Right | 3.4 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 3 |
| Right | 4 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.52 |
| Right | 0.24 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.7 |
| Right | 2.7 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 53 |
| Right | 71 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 118 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 25 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.1 |
| Right | 0.5 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.25 |
| Right | 0.21 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.4 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 34 |
| Right | 62 |
Despite the structural rating difference, the injury measurements for both passenger and driver in the passenger-side small overlap test remain low, indicating a good level of protection offered by the Honda HR-V 2019.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap front crash test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a deformable barrier. This test represents a significant portion of real-world frontal crashes. The Honda HR-V 2019 underwent this test as well, with positive outcomes.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Chest | Good |
| Leg/Foot, Left | Good |
| Leg/Foot, Right | Good |
| Driver Restraints & Kinematics | Good |
The “Good” rating across all metrics in the moderate overlap front crash test further underscores the robust frontal crash protection of the Honda HR-V 2019.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 4 |
| Left Footwell Intrusion | 10 |
| Center Footwell Intrusion | 10 |
| Right Footwell Intrusion | 9 |
| Brake Pedal Intrusion | 2 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Left) | 0 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Right) | 0 |
| Steering Column Upward Movement | 2 |
| Steering Column Rearward Movement | -6 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
The measurements show controlled deformation and minimal intrusion into the driver’s footwell and occupant space.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 323 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.5 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest | |
| Maximum Compression (mm) | 23 |
| Legs | |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.5 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.2 |
| Knee Displacement – Left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee Displacement – Right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Left | 0.31 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Right | 0.29 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Left (kN) | 1.5 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Right (kN) | 2.1 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 63 |
| Right | 95 |
The injury measures remain low, reinforcing the “Good” ratings and confirming effective occupant protection in a moderate overlap frontal crash for the Honda HR-V 2019.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original and Updated Evaluations
Side impact crashes are another critical area of safety assessment. The Honda HR-V 2019 has been evaluated under both the original and updated side impact test protocols. It’s important to note that the structural reinforcement in the Honda HR-V 2019 also aimed to improve side impact protection.
Side Impact: Original Test (2017 Honda HR-V)
The original side impact test results for a 2017 Honda HR-V (built after March 2017, reflecting the structural improvements carried over to the 2019 model) are as follows:
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Good |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
The “Good” ratings across all categories in the original side impact test indicate solid side crash protection for the Honda HR-V 2019, inheriting the structural improvements from the 2017 model onwards.
Post-crash view of a 2017 Honda HR-V following the original side impact test, illustrating vehicle integrity.
View inside the 2017 Honda HR-V after the side crash test, doors removed, showing deployed side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.
Grease paint on the driver dummy’s head from the 2017 Honda HR-V side impact test, indicating head protection by the side curtain airbag.
Grease paint marking on the rear passenger dummy’s head from the 2017 Honda HR-V side impact test, demonstrating head protection by the side airbag.
Technical Measurements – Original Side Impact Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to Longitudinal Centerline | -18.5 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 149 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.09 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.45 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Combined Force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M Force (kN) | 0.8 |
| L-M Moment (Nm) | 135 |
| A-P Moment (Nm) | 30 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 177 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 1.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 16 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 2.11 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.19 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac Force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Combined Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Left Femur | |
| L-M Force (kN) | 1.6 |
| L-M Moment (Nm) | 150 |
| A-P Moment (Nm) | -52 |
The technical data from the original side impact test supports the “Good” ratings, showing low injury risks for both driver and rear passenger in the Honda HR-V 2019 and earlier models with structural enhancements.
Side Impact: Updated Test (2021 Honda HR-V)
The updated side impact test is more rigorous, using a heavier moving barrier and revised injury criteria. A 2021 Honda HR-V (representing the same generation as the Honda HR-V 2019) was subjected to this updated test.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Poor |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Poor |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Acceptable |
| Pelvis | Marginal |
| Driver Head Protection | Good |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good |
| Torso | Acceptable |
| Pelvis | Marginal |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good |
In the updated, more stringent side impact test, the Honda HR-V 2019 generation receives an overall “Poor” rating. While head protection remains “Good”, torso protection is “Acceptable” and pelvis protection is “Marginal”, leading to the lower overall score. This indicates that while the Honda HR-V 2019 offers decent head protection in side impacts, torso and pelvis protection are areas of concern under more severe testing conditions.
Post-crash condition of a 2021 Honda HR-V following the updated side impact test, highlighting vehicle damage.
Interior view of the 2021 Honda HR-V after the updated side impact test, doors removed, showing side airbag deployment and occupant compartment deformation.
Grease paint on the driver dummy’s head in the 2021 Honda HR-V updated side impact test, showing head protection from side airbags.
Grease paint on the rear passenger dummy’s head in the 2021 Honda HR-V updated side impact test, indicating rear passenger head protection.
Technical Measurements – Updated Side Impact Test
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to Longitudinal Centerline | -2.5 |
The intrusion measurement is significantly less negative compared to the original test, indicating greater intrusion into the occupant space in the updated test.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 325 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.5 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 34 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.04 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.57 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined Force (kN) | 5.3 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 359 |
| Peak gs at Hard Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.5 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.59 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.74 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined Force (kN) | 5.9 |
The technical data from the updated side impact test reveals higher injury measures, especially for torso and pelvis, which aligns with the lower ratings in these categories and the overall “Poor” rating. This indicates that while the Honda HR-V 2019 performed well in the original side impact test, it shows weaknesses under the more demanding updated test.
Roof Strength Evaluation
Roof strength is a crucial safety aspect, particularly in rollover crashes. The Honda HR-V 2019‘s roof strength was evaluated, and it achieved a top rating.
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3,035 lbs |
| Peak Force | 15,604 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 5.14 |
The “Good” rating in roof strength indicates that the Honda HR-V 2019‘s roof can withstand forces more than 5 times its weight, providing excellent protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Assessment
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The Honda HR-V 2019‘s head restraints and seats received a “Good” overall evaluation.
| Overall Evaluation | Good |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Rating | Good |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | Good |
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat Type | Manual Cloth Seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 36 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | 16 |
| Seat Design Parameters | |
| Pass/Fail | Pass |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 13.8 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 56 |
| Force Rating | 1 |
| Neck Forces | |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 0 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 228 |
The geometry and dynamic performance of the head restraints and seats in the Honda HR-V 2019 are rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Headlight Ratings and Performance
Headlight performance is a critical safety feature, especially for nighttime driving. The Honda HR-V 2019 offers different headlight variations depending on the trim level, resulting in varying ratings.
Headlight Ratings by Trim Level:
- Touring Trim (LED Reflector Headlights): “Acceptable” rating. These headlights offer “Good” visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist.
- EX & EX-L Trims (Halogen Projector Headlights): “Marginal” rating. These headlights show fair to inadequate visibility in various driving conditions, though high-beam assist provides some compensation.
- LX & Sport Trims (Halogen Projector Headlights): “Poor” rating. These headlights offer inadequate visibility, especially on left curves, and lack high-beam assist in LX and Sport trims of Honda HR-V 2019.
The headlight ratings highlight a significant variation in visibility performance across different trim levels of the Honda HR-V 2019. The Touring trim with LED headlights provides the best headlight performance, while lower trims with halogen headlights have notable limitations.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Assessment
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important in mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. The Honda HR-V 2019 offers an optional Collision Mitigation Brake System as part of the Honda Sensing package, which received a “Superior” rating.
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets Requirements |
| 12 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
The “Superior” rating for the optional front crash prevention system on the Honda HR-V 2019 indicates that it effectively warns drivers and can automatically brake to avoid collisions in both low and higher-speed scenarios.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Evaluation
Ease of use and effectiveness of child seat anchors are crucial for child passenger safety. The Honda HR-V 2019 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall Evaluation | Acceptable |
|---|
The Honda HR-V 2019 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors. While rated “Acceptable,” the system has some usability challenges, such as lower anchors being deep in the seat and tether anchors being difficult to find in certain positions.
Details by Seating Position:
- Positions 1 & 3: “Good” rating for lower anchors, “Acceptable” for tether anchors (easy-to-find location, but other hardware could be confused for anchor).
- Position 2: Relies on borrowed lower anchors, tether anchor location is hard to find.
Conclusion: Honda HR-V 2019 Safety Performance Summary
The Honda HR-V 2019 demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, particularly in frontal crash scenarios, thanks to structural enhancements implemented starting from this model year. It achieved “Good” ratings in driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and original side impact tests, as well as roof strength and head restraints. The optional front crash prevention system is rated “Superior”.
However, the updated side impact test revealed weaknesses, resulting in an overall “Poor” rating in this more stringent evaluation, particularly concerning torso and pelvis protection. Headlight performance also varies significantly by trim, with only the Touring trim’s LED headlights achieving an “Acceptable” rating. The LATCH system is rated “Acceptable” but has some usability limitations.
For potential buyers considering a Honda HR-V 2019, it’s essential to weigh these safety ratings. The vehicle offers solid frontal and rollover protection and a superior front crash prevention system. However, the “Poor” rating in the updated side impact test and the “Marginal” to “Poor” headlight ratings (depending on trim) are important factors to consider. Prioritizing the Touring trim for better headlights and being aware of the side impact limitations are key considerations for safety-conscious buyers of the Honda HR-V 2019.
