2023 Honda HR-V Road Test and Review

2024 Honda HR-V Sport ・ Photo by Honda

The Honda HR-V has always taken a back seat to its sibling, the immensely popular CR-V. Both are five-seat crossover SUVs, but the HR-V is smaller than the CR-V and has typically been regarded as that vehicle’s “little brother.” But a remake of the HR-V for the 2023 model year is turning that perception around. The second-generation HR-V is based on the same basic platform as the 2023 CR-V, and the new platform is a serious upgrade. The HR-V’s wheelbase has been lengthened by 1.7 inches to 104.5 inches, and the front and rear tracks are much wider (by 2.0 and 2.5 inches) than the previous HR-V. The crossover’s suspension has been upgraded to a fully independent multilink design, which replaces the previous generation’s semi-independent scheme. So it is a bigger, more substantial vehicle than the 2022 HR-V. The powertrain got a commensurate upgrade as well. The 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine delivers 17 more horsepower than the previous-generation HR-V’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder.

Exterior Style

The Honda HR-V got a complete makeover for the 2023 model year, and to say it has been transformative is underplaying the change. The previous-generation HR-V was significantly smaller than the all-new version. In fact, the new HR-V is more than nine inches longer than its predecessor and almost three inches wider. In terms of overall dimensions, the 2023 is closer to the 2022 Honda CR-V than it is to the 2022 HR-V. That has big dividends for buyers of the HR-V because it now gives its owners a vehicle that is nearly the equivalent of the immensely popular CR-V, a size up from the subcompact HR-V. The new HR-V also looks great. The exterior styling is handsome and understated with no gimmicks. The grille is flanked by inlets that route air through the bumper and around the front wheels, improving aerodynamic efficiency. The HR-V does without roof moldings, and its windshield wipers are hidden under the hood when not in use. Attractive 17-inch alloy silver-painted wheels are standard. At the rear a tailgate spoiler offers an aggressive touch.

Photo by Honda

Interior Design

Hondas have always been known for their functional interiors. Now the newest generation HR-V adds a dollop of style to the functionality. Borrowing from the new Honda CR-V, with which it shares a platform, the HR-V features Honda’s Body Stabilizing seats intended to reduce fatigue, stress, and neuralgia. In contrast to the previous HR-V, the rear seat is much wider, making it more accommodating for three passengers. That’s an obvious benefit of the new generation’s greater width. The seat incorporates a tray designed to hold a smartphone, and the standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold flat. The cargo area behind the second row of seats has been enlarged slightly to 24.4 cubic feet. With the seat backs folded, the space expands to 55.1 cubic feet. The HR-V's low lift-over height of just over 27 inches makes loading large or heavy items easier.  

Photo by Honda

Powertrain and Performance

The 2023 Honda HR-V offers an easy-to-grasp powertrain lineup. All HR-Vs are fitted with a normal aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A big change from the engine in the previous-generation HR-V, it is rated at 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. It, like the engines in many conventionally powered Honda models, is teamed with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Happily, the CVT in the HR-V doesn’t suffer from the foibles of many continuously variable transmissions. The base HR-V is a front-drive vehicle, but Honda makes the HR-V available with what Honda calls Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control. For the new generation, it has been retuned to offer better traction in slippery situations. HR-V models with all-wheel drive also have hill descent control. With longer overall length and a longer wheelbase, the 2023 Honda HR-V is a more substantial vehicle than the previous version, so the added horsepower is welcome.

Photo by Honda

Fuel Economy

The 2023 Honda HR-V suffers a bit in fuel economy versus some of its key competitors, which is a bit off a surprise. In front-drive configuration, its drivetrain combination is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city/32 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, the numbers dip to 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined. In comparison, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 31 mpg city/33 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. The front-drive version of the 2023 Chevrolet TrailBlazer gets an EPA rating of 29 mpg city/31 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos is EPA-rated to deliver 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.

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Driving Impressions

The previous edition of the Honda HR-V was versatile and utilitarian, but it wasn’t much fun to drive. The new-gen HR-V changes that. While it was designed for mainstream buyers, it offers several traits that please enthusiasts. The steering is quick, direct, and offers reasonable feedback. Its suspension provides nimble handling while, at the same time, maintaining a comfortable ride. Handling is sharp and braking is excellent, but after a lengthy time at the wheel, we wish the HR-V offered more horsepower and torque. Applying its go-power through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine seems adequate but nothing more. The typical driver won’t have issues with the performance, but the new platform could certainly benefit from a higher-horsepower drivetrain. The HR-V’s big plus is comfort, which is enhanced markedly in the new-generation vehicle.

Photo by Honda

Infotainment & Technology

Honda's infotainment systems have seen marked improvement recently. The 2023 Honda HR-V offers a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on its LX and Sport trims. In response to customer criticism of earlier systems, it features knobs for audio system volume and station tuning, buttons along the bottom for switching modes, and a simplified menu structure. The row of buttons lets HR-V occupants control audio and select phone, radio, Bluetooth, and USB media. The top-of-the-line HR-V EX-L is equipped with a more elaborate 9-inch touchscreen system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It has a volume knob, “hard” buttons for some other functions, and its own simplified menu structure. It even has a finger rest for when you’re tired of pushing screen icons and buttons. Some will decry the fact it lacks a second knob for station tuning. But that said, the new HR-V infotainment systems are much better than the previous units.

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Safety & Driver Aids

For 2023 the Honda HR-V offers an extensive list of advanced driver assistance systems, many grouped within the Honda Sensing suite. It offers standard forward collision warning, forward collision emergency braking, lane departure warning, and road departure mitigation. But that’s just the beginning. Additional driver aids standard across the lineup include lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, and rear seat reminder. Blind spot monitor with cross traffic monitor is standard all but the LX trim. The 2023 Honda HR-V was introduced too recently to have been safety rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named it a Top Safety Pick+, its highest honor. 

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Cargo Space & Towing

The 2023 Honda HR-V is longer than most of the vehicles in its segment. That added length gives it more passenger space but surprisingly, it doesn’t endow it with a bigger cargo hold. It has 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross has 26.5 cubic feet of cargo area, and the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has 25.3 cubic feet. The shorter Mazda CX-30 offers 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Very few of the subcompact crossover SUVs have much in the way of towing capacity. Fans of the previous-generation HR-V will be disappointed that Honda has dropped the foldaway Magic Seat, which disappeared to leave a flat cargo floor. 

Photo by Honda

Pricing & Value

Those who liked the previous-generation Honda CR-V might be well-advised to consider the 2023 HR-V as a possible substitute. Across the board, the 2023 Honda HR-V is significantly less expensive that its “bigger brother,” and in this new generation, it delivers many of the features that made the CR-V such a hit. The base front-drive LX trim has a $23,800 suggested retail price, and it might be the best value of all the trims. All-wheel drive adds $1,500 to the LX’s base price. The front-drive Sport starts at $25,900 and, again, AWD commands a $1,500 premium. The well-equipped EX-L in front-drive form bases at $27,900, while the AWD EX-L has a base price of $29,450. The 2023 Honda HR-V carries a $1,295 destination fee.

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Summing Up

The previous-generation Honda HR-V was a good value, but the new generation moves the vehicle up to a new level. It’s much more substantial than before and is a ready substitute for a low-line CR-V. The exterior styling gives the HR-V a handsome, understated look accompanied by one of the longest overall lengths in the class. And the completely remade interior is an even bigger upgrade. The HR-V delivers all the functionality it has become known for, presented in a package that is more mature and sophisticated. It would be nice if the HR-V offered a bit more horsepower, and we’re surprised that its overall fuel economy isn’t a bit higher, but those are quibbles in the face of the goodness the change has brought to the 2023 Honda HR-V. It is truly one of the best values in its class.

Photo by Honda