Honda HR-V vs Changan UNI-S

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Honda HR-V in South Africa

Honda HR-V

1.5 Elegance CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 529,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 119 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
VS
Changan UNI-S in South Africa

Changan UNI-S

1.5T AT CE Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 469,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 300 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Honda HR-V vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer

UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while HR-V remains close.

UNI-S starts ZAR 100,000 cheaper HR-V from ZAR 489,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification HR-V UNI-S
Maximum Power HR-V119 kW UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque HR-V145 Nm UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size HR-V1498 cc UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy HR-V16.1 km/l UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance HR-V196 mm UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

HR-V

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

UNI-S

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

HR-V

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

UNI-S

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec HR-V UNI-S
Model Introduced Year 2022 2026
Generation Built on Honda’s global compact SUV platform with improved safety and comfort First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History New generation introduced with updated design and improved features No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1360 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger car
Spec HR-V UNI-S
Length 4340 mm 4539 mm
Width 1790 mm 1865 mm
Height 1590 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2610 mm 2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 196 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 196 mm 167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 437 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 1360 kg 1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1780 kg 1825 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 1200 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.66 m
Front Headroom 975 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 965 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1065 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 958 mm Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This HR-V and UNI-S comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: HR-V 41 vs UNI-S 59.

Efficiency index: HR-V 62 vs UNI-S 55.

Safety-equipment index: HR-V 91 vs UNI-S 92.

Practicality index: HR-V 60 vs UNI-S 68.

Ownership-cover index: HR-V 43 vs UNI-S not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

UNI-S leads by 9 points

UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while HR-V remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 9 points
Data 67% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

UNI-S

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 59
Efficiency 55
Safety 92
Practicality 68
Leads by 9 points
60
#2

HR-V

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 62
Safety 91
Practicality 60
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance UNI-S +18 Efficiency HR-V +7 Safety UNI-S +1 Practicality UNI-S +8

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

UNI-S

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 68/100

HR-V

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan UNI-S leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 60 pts for HR-V

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S leads. However, HR-V may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.

HR-V
HR-V
VS
Jimny 5-Door
Jimny 5-Door
HR-V vs Jimny 5-Door →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
HR-V vs Tiggo 4 Cross HEV →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Dashing
Dashing
HR-V vs Dashing →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
CX-3
CX-3
HR-V vs CX-3 →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Jimny
Jimny
HR-V vs Jimny →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Jolion Pro Limited
Jolion Pro Limited
HR-V vs Jolion Pro Limited →
UNI-S
UNI-S
VS
Jimny 5-Door
Jimny 5-Door
UNI-S vs Jimny 5-Door →
UNI-S
UNI-S
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
UNI-S vs Tiggo 4 Cross HEV →

HR-V vs UNI-S questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.