2023 honda hr-v cargo space

The 2023 Honda HR-V is all-new, and sheds its old prior toy-like looks for a sophisticated shape that’s bigger in most dimensions and driven by a more powerful engine. Honda

Entry-level cars are tricky. Automakers have to balance keeping the cost low with making a worthy product. Some do a fabulous job while others make you wonder if you’d have been better off walking. While its predecessor fell somewhere in the middle of those two extremes, the redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V is a budget crossover that makes driving the right choice.

At a Honda-hosted media event, I got to sample the new HR-V on an extended drive along the Columbia Gorge in Oregon and Washington to give it a test and “all-new” is not an exaggeration in this case.

There’s not much in this vehicle that Honda didn’t change. Improvements start on the outside with a new look that adds significant curb appeal. 

The HR-V’s Glow Up

It’s still Honda’s smallest crossover, but the new HR-V is 2.6 inches wider and 8.7 inches longer with bold, curving lines that make it look sporty and fun. It no longer has the air of an appliance that simply gets you from one point to the next and nothing more. Now it looks like a car that will make the trip one to enjoy. At 179.8 inches long, it also slots neatly between rival crossovers like Volkswagen’s Taos and Tiguan.

Open the door and the changes are even more dramatic, with high-quality materials that avoid making the HR-V look like an economy car. The base LX trim has attractive fabric seating surfaces with an eye-catching metal honeycomb mesh adorning the dashboard, similar to that of this year’s redesigned Civic. The top EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces and an eight-way power driver’s seat for added comfort. In every trim, materials were thoughtfully chosen to create a comfortable, welcoming space for driver and passengers alike.

An upgraded cabin with nicer materials, comfier and more supportive seats, and upgraded fabrics await HR-V drivers. The EX-L trim interior is seen here. Honda

In addition to looking better, the HR-V is more comfortable with new Body Stabilizing Seats designed to improve the ride on longer drives. 

This isn’t something you see, but it is something you feel. It’s all about what’s inside the seats. There are support structures that stabilize your body as you drive so you don’t feel the need to keep shifting around to stay comfortable. They even help stabilize your upper body, so your arms stay relaxed and your eyes stay easily focused on the road.

The bigger footprint strangely doesn’t translate to more cargo room. There are 24.4 cubic-feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats with 55.1 with them folded. That’s an impressive amount of cargo room for such a small vehicle, but about the same as the old model. It does offer plenty of spots for smaller items with a deep center console storage bin to keep everything secure and out of sight. Sheer space aside, the new HR-V offers a greatly improved experience for everyone.

The HR-V is handy and utilitarian, but despite its increased size, there’s actually not that much more cargo room than before and fractionally less with the seats folded down. Happily, the space is easy to use. Honda

Infotainment Upgrades

A 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, three USB charging ports and a four-speaker audio system is now standard on both the base EX and midrange Sport trims. Honda added a physical power/volume knob on one side of the screen with a tuning knob on the other, which sounds like a small change, but it’s one that makes this system easier to use. 

There’s also a row of buttons at the bottom to easily navigate through your audio options with an 0.8-inch edge where you can rest your finger and steady your hand while making selections. Again, a small change that makes a big difference.

The EX-L gets a further upgrade with a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen and a faster processor for improved responsiveness. It’s less likely that you’ll tap the screen, think that tap didn’t register, and then tap it again only to realize there was a lag and now you’re lost somewhere in the menus. This upgrade also adds two rear USB charging ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless charging and refined controls with shortcuts that can be tailored to individual user profiles.

The new HR-V gets the same big infotainment upgrade the Civic got about a year ago, and its dashboard and displays look similar, too. That’s no bad thing as they lend the crossover a classy, modern look. Honda

More Power

Under the hood of the HR-V is a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The engine, like the HR-V’s platform architecture, is shared with the Civic, but the crossover weighs about 300 pounds more. Still, it’s about 10% more powerful than the old HR-V, which didn’t weigh much less. 

Acceleration isn’t aggressive, but it’s easily enough to get up to highway speeds in heavy traffic. All told, the chassis and engine offer drivers a more confident and refined driving experience.

As on the Civic, there’s still a continuously variable automatic transmission, but it’s updated to deliver better responsiveness. The combination of a new engine and a refined transmission make the HR-V a better choice for long commutes and family road trips. It also gets good fuel economy for the class with front-wheel drive models earning an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined and all-wheel drive (AWD) trims coming in with 27 mpg combined.

I drove the HR-V through winding country roads outside Portland, Oregon up to Oldman Pass. It’s a beautiful route full of tight turns leading up into the mountains on a narrow two-lane road. This is the kind of road you see in car commercials showing off a luxurious sports car whipping through the turns while a supermodel lets the wind blow through her hair without a care in the world. 

Despite not having an exorbitant price or a supermodel at the helm, this compact crossover was controlled, well-mannered and fun to drive. It handles beautifully with better responsiveness than expected. It’s also quiet with minimal road, wind and engine noise intruding into the cabin.

Affordably Priced

Pricing starts at a modest $24,895 for the base LX. The Sport comes in at $25,650 while the top EX-L is $27,450. Front-wheel drive is standard, with AWD available for $1,500 on all three trims. This makes the HR-V more capable in rough weather, but it’s not an off-roader and there are only 7 inches of ground clearance (7.3 in the Sport). There are other, pricier options on the market if that’s what you have planned for your weekend adventures. Instead, the HR-V is focused on providing a responsive ride with a comfortable interior that as easily handles the family as it does friends heading out for the night.

This is a crowded segment so there’s tough competition. The sleek and decidedly upscale Mazda CX-30 delivers a more refined interior and a stronger focus on performance, but with less room for people and cargo. The Kia Seltos takes things in the other direction with more room for cargo, while the Hyundai Kona has a fun, quirky design with even smaller dimensions for those who frequently travel in congested urban areas.

The HR-V has always been a likable entry-level crossover, but for 2023 it looks and feels more mature and refined. Honda

Despite that competition, the 2023 Honda HR-V has a lot to offer. Three affordable trims, a responsive engine and good handling combine with a comfortable and nicely equipped interior. For those who want the versatility of an SUV, but with smaller dimensions that make it easier to manage and more fun to drive, it’s a solid choice.

The Honda HR-V started arriving in dealerships a couple of weeks ago.

Honda provided lodging, meals and travel to enable us to bring you this first-person report. Although Forbes Wheels sometimes participates in manufacturer-hosted events, our coverage is independent, unbiased and aimed at offering consumers an objective view of every vehicle we test.

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