2025 Honda HR-V

Pros

• A lot of places.
• Easy to get in and out of.
• There is more space for goods than most ultra-compact SUVs of the same size.

Cons

• Slower and slower speed up.
• The front seats could be more comfortable.

How does the HR-V get its power? We felt different ways about the HR-V after our first test drive. Even though we got used to it, we didn’t like how the slightly too light turning made us feel. While going at a normal speed around town, the engine and transmission felt fine. But when you have people on board and want to go on the highway, they feel completely unfit. It takes the HR-V more than ten seconds to hit 60 mph, which is very slow for a car in this class.

The best things about the HR-V are its precise driving and brakes that work quickly and smoothly. Even though it’s an extra-small car and a bigger SUV, the HR-V moves at the usual speed of a Honda car.

How does the HR-V make you feel? It’s stiff in the front of the HR-V as well. It’s the same as sitting on a wooden bench. It’s strange and frustrating that the lumbar support can’t be adjusted, especially since our test car is fully loaded. We don’t usually think that the back seats of an HR-V are more comfy than the front seats, but this time we do. Good news: things will get better from here on out.

You’ll really enjoy the ride. The HR-V only partially smooths out road bumps, but it does a good job without becoming too loose or losing control. The cabin’s peace is especially nice to us. The HR-V does a great job of blocking out outside and road noise when you’re not running the engine at full speed. The engine is also pretty quiet.

It was easy to keep the car cool with climate control, but the temperature was always too low for our comfort, no matter what setting we used. This could be an effort to compensate for the fact that the HR-V doesn’t have any air vents in the back, which lowers the overall comfort rating.

How is the state of the inside? The HR-V’s cabin is one of its best features, even though there are a few small comfort problems. One reason is that the inside is one of the roomiest in its class for an SUV, with enough space for two rows of seats. We found it easy to get in and out because the seats were at a good height and the doors were wide.

A lot of Honda’s new cars have tablet controls that are easy to use. Also, none of the gauges are hidden or put in an odd place, and it feels very normal to use the controls on the steering wheel. There aren’t as many changes for the driver’s seat, which are fewer than they were, but they still give you enough room to move. We really like how clear it is to see outside the house in every direction. A rearview camera that lets you see things from different directions is helpful, but Honda doesn’t make a surround-view video system.

What’s wrong with the tech? It could be more tech-savvy, the HR-V. The HR-V’s smartphone link makes sense, but it doesn’t have a built-in navigation system. Still, it’s a great feature for those who want it. The HR-V has a wireless charging pad, three USB charging ports in the front, and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. These are all great features for the price. However, because there are no ports, things will have to be shared with people in the back. The HR-V’s sound system won’t make even audiophiles very happy.

Many of the HR-V’s driving aids are set too cautiously, even though it has a long list of them. The adaptive cruise control slows down and stops quickly, and the blind-spot warning system often lets us know about cars we thought were too far away.

What’s going on with storage? An SUV needs to be able to tow, and the HR-V is one of the best in its class. The back luggage room is very useful and easy to get to, which makes it feel much bigger than its 24.4 cubic feet size would suggest. The back seatbacks can be folded almost all the way down to the cargo floor, which makes it easier to carry longer items. It’s also easy to add car seats if you already have them. The big doors, lots of space in the back, and top ropes and LATCH anchors that are easy to get to will make your life easier. Please be aware that front-facing car seats can only be put in outer seats because the center position does not have a top tether.

Even though it’s not great, the cabin has enough space for small things. The trunk’s depth is good, and we like the rubbery bridge box under the shifter that can hold a phone to charge. The glovebox could be better, and the door bags are not very big.

How much fuel does it use? The all-wheel-drive HR-V that we tried gets 27 mpg on the highway and in the city, according to the EPA. This is just a little less than many of its key competitors, some of which have more powerful engines when added together. But when we used it on our real test run, with pretty light traffic, we got an impressive 31.6 mpg. This engine is likely to be put under more stress than most others when carrying people.

Is the HR-V worth buying? Honda did a great job with the HR-V’s interior. The buttons feel good to touch, and every point where you touch them is padded or soft. Compared to other cars in its class, this one looks great, and it’s a big improvement over the last model. The price of the HR-V is also good. But the HR-V’s weak powertrain is the worst thing about the setup. Since there are no other engine choices, it’s hard for us to call this a well-rounded package for the price.

When you compare Honda’s warranty to those of other companies, it’s pretty normal. The basic warranty on the HR-V lasts for three years, or 36,000 miles, and the powertrain guarantee lasts for five years, or 60,000 miles.

There would be no better world than one where Honda’s amazing 1.5-liter turbo engine could be used in the HR-V. Until then, the HR-V will probably get lost in a sea of other, more interesting small SUVs. The car’s style has clearly grown up since the last one; it now feels much more solid and high-end. It doesn’t add anything new. There’s no risk.

The base HR-V might be a better deal at that price, but the top-of-the-line EX-L model gives you a lot for your money. We suggest the Sport model, which is in the middle. It comes with all of the base LX’s features, plus some nice extras like heated front seats and blind-spot detection with back cross-traffic alert. The Sport also has dark 18-inch alloy wheels and a special grille.

Types of Honda HR-V

The cross-over SUV 2025 Honda HR-V comes in three trim levels: LX, Sport, and EX-L. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that all cars have is rated at 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an automatic transmission that changes speeds constantly (CVT). You can choose to have all-wheel drive, but most cars come with front-wheel drive.