2023 Honda HR-V Review: More Refined

The Honda HR-V competes in the progressively aggressive modest SUV section, but Honda is hoping that the revamped 2023 HR-V will continue on to get above purchasers. For starters it is a ton even bigger than the very last technology, with a larger inside and a additional highly effective powertrain below the hood. Will it be in a position to rival, its crosstown rival, the Toyota Corolla Cross? The quick solution is of course and in many methods it’s basically the greater alternative to select.

The 2023 HR-V is just about 10 inches for a longer period and 3 inches wider than the very last era. If you are pondering how bit it appears to be in human being, it is duration is about the similar as the Civic hatchback. Talking of the Civic, the HR-V is now based mostly on the very same platform as the Civic, in its place of the more mature platform that was shared with the Fit.

In phrases of styling, the new HR-V has a more grown up search than before with its sculpted overall body, common rear doorway handles and more simple grille. The previous HR-V had a bit way too quite a few lines, so its fantastic to see that Honda has smoothed out the in general search of the new HR-V.

Within there are some significant advancements that assist the HR-V stand out in this entry-level course. You are going to discover that the inside does borrow several styling cues from the Civic with its minimalistic design and style and metallic honeycomb mesh that addresses the air vents. The greatest difference concerning the two is the heart console which has a nice storage location beneath. The HR-V’s interior is wrapped in large excellent resources, which can make it really feel more upscale than the Corolla Cross.

In entrance of the driver there is a partly electronic gauge cluster with a 7-inch monitor and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The best spec EX-L ups the technological know-how with its more substantial 9-inch display screen. The base infotainment technique will come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but if you go with the EX-L you can connect wirelessly. There’s also a wi-fi charger and wonderful sounding 8-speaker audio program on the top trim amount.

Relocating to the rear seat, there’s one more major transform. The earlier HR-V’s Magic Seat that was in a position to fold up to fit larger items on the flooring has been deleted. Instead the new HR-V receives a far more traditional split-folding rear seat. With the rear seats up, there is 24.4 cubic feet of cargo area.

On the basic safety entrance, the HR-V will come regular with the Honda Sensing suite of lively protection technologies, which consists of computerized crisis braking, adaptive cruise regulate, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping support, visitors indication recognition, computerized high beams and a rear-seat reminder.

Underneath the hood the HR-V borrows its engine from the Civic. It’s now driven by a the natural way aspirated 2.-liter four-cylinder motor with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-toes of torque, which is mated to a constantly variable transmission (CVT). That usually means that the new HR-V has an added 17 hp and 11 lb-ft. additional than the previous HR-V’s 1.8-liter engine. But if you’re pondering that the further electricity will make the HR-V a lot more enjoyable to push, you’ll be disappointed. The more pounds from its larger human body implies that the more electrical power less than the hood does not indicate that you will consider off from a quit speedier. Just like most designs in this class, the HR-V is sluggish to choose up velocity. We actually wish Honda would give the Civic’s 1.5-liter turbo in the HR-V, which would seriously enable.

Just like in advance of front-wheel push is typical, although all-wheel drive is optional. The FWD version is rated at 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 28 mpg put together, although the AWD edition is rated at 25/30/27 mpg. These specs are somewhat down from the past HR-V, but it’s expected contemplating how a lot bigger the 2023 HR-V is.

Although the volume of power underneath the hood is a bit disappointing, the good information is that the new HR-V has a much more refined driving experience than in advance of. Its cabin is quiet with small levels of highway and tire noise disrupting the space. The consuming posture is decreased than right before also, which can make the HR-V really feel far more carlike than in advance of. The trip quality is also much better thanks to its new unbiased rear suspension. There’s nonetheless a bit of entire body roll in corners, but that is on par with its rivals.

The 2023 Honda HR-V is available in a few trim levels: LX, Activity and EX-L. The base LX begins at $24,985, which includes vacation spot with all-wheel push introducing an added $1,500. All in, the EX-L with AWD is priced at a sensible $30,195.

At the finish of the day, the 2023 HR-V has developed up a little bit with its much larger footprint, more interior place and much better driving dynamics. Can we simply call the HR-V enjoyable? No. But we cannot overlook that the HR-V will do primarily anything that purchasers in this class want. It is acquired loads of area, attractive pricing and an inside that feels extra premium than most other crossovers in this course.