Honda's 2019 SUV Lineup at the 'Power of 3 and a Half' Event

Or what I like to call the Honda "Power of 3 and a Half" event. I will explain why I call it so later in this article.

When I first got the invite to attend this Honda event, and the name was "Power of 3," the word Power tempted me to dream that Honda will be introducing the Civic Type R in our local market. There is no harm in dreaming; after all, Honda's tagline is "The Power of Dreams." Upon arriving at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, I found the Civic Type R parked outside the hotel where the event was supposed to take place. For those of you who don't know, the Civic Type R is Honda's most powerful hot hatch ever, featuring a modified civic hatchback with a 2-liter VTEC TURBO that cranks out 306 HP and 400 NM of torque. It still holds the record for being the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the infamous Nürburgring in Germany.

Sorry to burst your bubble like mine was at this point in the article, but let's get back to reality. We know that 1 in 2 cars purchased in the Middle East these days is an SUV. That's why Honda is not going to be introducing the Type R to the UAE market, at least not in 2019. On the other hand, Honda already offers buyers two options of SUVs: the Honda CR-V, a compact 5-seater sport SUV, and the Honda Pilot, an 8-passenger midsize family SUV. At this event, we looked at both in their latest 2019 models.

Honda's SUV Offerings

Honda aimed to complete its SUV offering by adding a subcompact crossover. Hence, they brought back the Honda HR-V, which was the star of this event. Let's delve into some details about all three cars:

Power 1: 2019 Honda Pilot

For 2019, the Honda Pilot receives a slight facelift with a new front and back design. The front follows the family's design language with a bold chrome front grille, new LED lights with DRLs, and larger fog lights for a more aggressive look.

• The rear features new LED lights and a chrome-covered plate at the bottom.
• The power tailgate now includes hands-free assist.
• The top-of-the-range Pilot we drove boasts 20-inch alloys.

Inside the Pilot, practicality, spaciousness, and comfort remain consistent for all passengers, with slightly narrow access to the third-row seats. The most notable changes include:

• A restyled new 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation.
• Bluetooth connectivity and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• A huge customizable screen in the instrument cluster.
• Tri-zone climate control and mobile wireless charging.

Still powering the Pilot is the same V6 3.5-liter engine that produces 280 HP and 355 Nm of torque. With a remapped 6-speed automatic with manual control, respectable handling, and an AWD system, the 2019 Honda Pilot offers driving dynamics that many other family SUVs lack in the market.

The most significant addition for the 2019 model is Honda Sensing. This system includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Collision Mitigation Braking System

Having experienced Honda Sensing in the 2018 Honda Accord, I can attest that it makes any journey safer and easier. Unlike other systems, Honda Sensing keeps the vehicle centered in the lane, maintains a safe distance from cars ahead, and can slow down to a halt when needed. For me, Honda Sensing sets the 2019 Honda Pilot apart from its competition in this segment.

To learn more about Honda Sensing, watch our video about it in the Honda Accord.

Power 2: 2019 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V remains almost unchanged for 2019. The only updates include:

• A new touchscreen with updated software.
• A hands-free tailgate.
• A wider center armrest.

The Honda CR-V continues to feature the same 2.4-liter engine and AWD system. Mated with a CVT transmission, the CR-V produces 184 HP and 244 NM of torque, achieving an impressive fuel consumption rate of 15.5 km/L.

Just like the Pilot, the major update for the 2019 CR-V is the addition of Honda Sensing, a brilliant move by Honda to offer this impressive system in more of its vehicles.

Power 3: 2019 Honda HR-V

Now, let's discuss the star of the show, the 2019 Honda HR-V. I remember the Honda HR-V from the late '90s. Back then, it had a funky design and was ahead of its time. This second-generation Honda HR-V started selling in North America in 2015 as a 2016 model. Fast forward four years, and now we have it available in our markets.

Honda's move to complete their SUV offerings gives customers three choices in size and power. The highlight of the HR-V is undoubtedly its design. It's a small crossover that shares the Honda Jazz platform, showcasing Honda's design language. The front chrome grille, sleek body lines, and hidden back door handles contribute to a coupé-like design that makes it stand out from the competition.

In addition to its looks, the fully-optioned HR-V includes:

• Full LED lights
• Additional chrome accents on the front, sides, and back.

The interior design is simple and straightforward. However, I would have preferred the larger screen used in the Pilot and CR-V instead of the smaller 6.5-inch one. A standout feature in the interior is the design of the climate control system and the panoramic roof in such a small vehicle.

As expected, the back space is adequate, and the HR-V includes the clever upwards folding Magic Seats from the Jazz, adding more practicality to this small crossover.

Regarding features, you get leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, traditional cruise control, a rear parking camera, and surprisingly, paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

The front-wheel-drive car is nimble and offers a pleasant steering feel, whether driving in the city or on the highway. In the city, the HR-V's 1.8-liter engine, producing 140 HP, is sufficient for city traffic maneuvers. On the highway, the car feels a bit slower, but you can appreciate the impressive fuel efficiency of 16.9 km/L, which Honda claims equates to 800 km for a full tank. These impressive numbers are achieved with the help of a 7-speed fully-automatic CVT. Visibility from the driver's seat is good, but I wish the noise insulation was a bit better.

I believe the all-new Honda HR-V is a welcome addition to the ever-growing segment, and with prices ranging from 69,000 to 84,000, it stands out as one of the most beautiful crossovers available in the market in 2019.

Power 3.5: 2019 Honda CB1000R

In addition to the three cars, Honda also launched the 2019 Honda CB1000R, a compact and muscular-looking bike with a minimal design. Powering this machine is a 4-cylinder 998cc engine peaking at 144 HP at 10,500 rpm. The rider controls this power through Throttle By Wire, three riding modes, plus a USER mode. It also comes with an Assist/Slipper Clutch, Adjustable Engine Braking, Honda Selectable Torque Control, full LED lighting, and an LCD instrument panel.