2023 Honda HR-V Overview What’s new: Changes made for the year 2023 New designs and styles for the inside The adjustable back seats of the old model are no longer available. The second generation of HRVs starts with the 2023 model. The HR-V is Honda’s smallest crossover SUV. It comes after the more well-known CR-V, Passport, and Pilot. The HR-first V generation, which came to North America for the first time in 2016, was based on the Honda Fit hatchback. Seven model years later, in 2023, the HR-V was redesigned from top to bottom, and Honda’s smallest SUV has grown in almost every way. Fans of the Honda brand will notice that the new HR-V is not based on the Fit since the Fit is no longer made. Instead, the new HR-V has more space than the old one because it is based on the bigger Civic. This is most noticeable in the rear of the vehicle. Unfortunately, this version of the HR-V doesn’t have the clever storage system that made the last one so popular. Honda’s famous “Magic Seat,” whose backs could be flipped up and used to store tall items on the floor, is no longer available. It’s too bad because that sets the HR-V apart from other cars in its class. A new generation of the HR-V comes with new technology, and this model has the same features as the new Civic. The EX-L has a 9-inch screen in the middle instead of the standard 7-inch screen. The EX-L screen is the only one that can be used wirelessly, but both can connect to smartphones through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The HR-V doesn’t have a built-in navigation system like the Civic, so you can’t use it if you go off the beaten path or to a place without cell service. In 2023, the HR engine V might be the most minor “new” part. It has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that doesn’t have a turbocharger and makes 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. These new numbers are 17 horsepower and 11 pound-feet more than the old HR-engine V’s, but we had hoped for more power because the model is more significant. As an entry-level SUV, the Honda HR-V competes with cars like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Taos. Even though some of its competitors can do the same thing with a little more style, it will be enough for people who want a practical small SUV. Read our test team’s Expert Rating of the new HR-greatest V to learn more about its pros and cons. Pros vs Cons Pros: An excellent place to sit Cons: Uncomfortable seats and a moderate rate of speed Performance How do you move the HR-V? When I first drove the HR-V, I had mixed feelings about it. At first, we didn’t like how fake the steering felt because it was a little too light, but we got used to it. When driving around town at low speeds with people in the car and trying to move on the highway, the engine and transmission also felt fine. Even for this class, the HR-acceleration V needs more than 10 seconds to reach 60 mph. The best things about the HR-tidy V are how it handles and how soft and responsive the brakes are. Even though the HR-V is one of the bigger SUVs in the extra-small class, it moves with the quickness that Honda is known for. Comfort How comfortable is the HR inside? V’s The seat cushions on the HR-front V are substantial. It’s like sitting on a bench made of wood. Also surprising and disappointing was that the lumbar support couldn’t be changed, especially in our fully loaded-test car. The HR-V is one of the few cars with comfortable back seats that are just as good as the front ones. Positive developments are on the horizon. Excellent ride comfort. Even though the HR-V doesn’t wholly eliminate road bumps, it does a great job of smoothing them out without making the ride too soft or losing body control. We also like how quiet it is in the cabin. The HR-V does an excellent job of cutting down on noise from the road, the wind, and the environment, and the engine is barely audible when it’s not being pushed to go fast. The climate control made it easy to cool the car, but no matter what setting we used, it was always too cold for us. It could be to make up for the fact that the HR-V doesn’t have air vents in the back, which is another flaw in its comfort rating. Interior How does the inside look? Even though the HR-interior V has a few minor problems with comfort, this is one of its best features. First, this SUV has one of the roomiest interiors in its class, with plenty of room in both rows. The seats were comfortable, and the doors opened, making getting in and out of the vehicle a breeze. The new touchscreen interface that Honda is putting into many of its new cars is easy to use and learn. All the gauges are easy to see and use, and the steering wheel’s controls need to be better. Even though the driver’s seat can only be adjusted in a few ways, it still gives enough support. We like that we can see clearly in all directions outside the cabin. Even though Honda’s rearview camera doesn’t have a surround-view system, it can be viewed from different angles, which is a plus. Technology How good is the tech? The HR-V needs to learn more about technology. But it is always a good choice for those who like it. We can see why the HR-V doesn’t have a built-in navigation system and uses a smartphone instead. At this price, the HR-V has wireless connectivity for CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and three USB charging ports in the front cabin. Since there are no ports in the back, passengers must use the ones in the front. The system of the HR-audio V is also likely to disappoint audiophiles. Even though the HR-V has a lot of driver aids, many are set up in a way that is too safe. The blind-spot warning system often lets us know about cars that we thought were too far away, and the adaptive cruise control speeds up slowly so that you don’t react too quickly. When there were people on board, they were utterly useless. Storage What about putting things away? An SUV needs to be able to pull stuff behind it, and the HR-V is one of the best in its class at doing this. The back cargo space feels more significant than its actual size (24.4 cubic feet) because it is so easy to use and get to. The backs of the back seats can also be almost flattened with the cargo floor to make it easier to move long items. Also, it’s easy to put car seats in cars. The big doors, plenty of legroom in the back, and top ropes and LATCH anchors that are easy to reach will make your life easier. Since there isn’t a top rope in the middle seat, front-facing car seats must be put in one of the seats on the sides. The cabin has enough space for small things, but it could be better. The storage bin in the center armrest is spacious, and we particularly like the rubberized bridge compartment behind the shifter that has a charging port for mobile devices. On the other hand, the glove box and door pockets are both about the same size. We’re also sad that Honda removed the stylish and clever flip-up seat bottoms in the back. Fuel Economy How well does it use gasoline? Despite having all-wheel drive, the EPA only estimates 27 mpg for the HR-V in combined driving (25 city/30 highway), which is lower than the estimates of many of its closest competitors, some of which have more potent engines. But after we drove it around our 115-mile test loop, it got an impressive 31.6 mpg in relatively light traffic. When there are people on board, this engine won’t be able to handle the load as well as others. Value Does the HR-price V’s make sense? Honda did a great job with the HR interior V’s by putting money where it counts. Every place you touch is soft or padded, and it’s easy to use the controls. This car looks much better than the one it replaces and does better than other cars in its class. The HR-prices V’s are also surprisingly competitive. Our top-of-the-line model costs just over $30,000, less than many competitors. On the other hand, the HR-weak V’s powertrain is its biggest problem. Given that there are no other engine options, we can’t say this is a good value for the money. Honda’s warranty still needs to be better compared to other companies. The security for the HR-basic V is for three years, and the contract for the powertrain is for 36,000 miles. Wildcard We’d rather live in a world where the 1.5-liter turbo engine in the HR-Fantastic V is available. Until then, the HR-V will probably get lost in a sea of more interesting subcompact SUVs. The car’s design has changed significantly since its predecessor, and it now looks much more solid and high-end. It has nothing new to say, though. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? The best value is the HR-V Sport. It has features that the base LX doesn’t, like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats, that you’ll appreciate in the long run. Even though the EX-L is excellent, the price might make the base CR-V a better choice. Honda HR-V model variants: The 2023 Honda HR-V is available in LX, Sport, and EX-L trim levels. Every vehicle has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque mated to a continuously variable transmission. You can choose to have all-wheel drive, but the front-wheel industry is the standard. 2023 Honda HR-V Video Review
