Honda's success in North America happened in the most unlikely way possible. With the Oil Crisis back in the '70s, more and more people were abandoning their V8-powered full-size cars in favor of more reliable and fuel-efficient compacts from Japan. Toyota's success story had already written itself, so Honda decided to join in on the fun, right around the early '70s. People immediately flocked to Honda's lineup, due to their functional design and decisions, good drive, fuel efficiency, and reliability.
Today, Honda's presence in North America is bigger than ever, and some of the best-selling cars in the region come from them. With the advent of crossovers, the smaller HR-V proved to be quite successful for Honda, and the latest generation has a lot to live up to.
Note: While we wait for official word from consumers on the upcoming HR-V, HotCars' 'Costs, Facts, And Figures' rating defaults to 1 out of 10. Once we start fielding what owners think of this upcoming vehicle, we'll be sure to update the score to reflect what drivers think.
Key Features
- Larger dimensions
- New platform
- Available AWD
Specifications
- Model: HR-V
- Engine/Motor: 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated I4
- Horsepower: 158 hp
- Torque: 138 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: Front-engine, FWD / AWD
- Transmission: CVT
Pros
- Hip Design
- New technology
- Practical
- Revamped Cabin
Cons
- Small engine for the platform
2023 HR-V Overview
Honda
Although the HR-V did alright for Honda in North America, they didn't actually offer it in the region until 2015. Previously, the first generation exclusively appeared in Europe and some Asia-Pacific markets, and the second generation arrived in North America a few years after Honda introduced it. The latest HR-V differs from the European and Chinese market model, as that car gets its own unique styling, and it's only offered as a hybrid, or full EV in China. The North American HR-V, meanwhile, isn't available as a hybrid yet. It might just be on the cards, as the new HR-V ditches the previous generation Fit's platform in favor of Honda's HA [Honda Architecture] platform.
The front end gets a pretty big grille opening, with a Honda logo directly above, and some pretty aggressive front fascia details. The side profile is typical crossover, although it appears to have a slightly elongated rear end, while the rear is pretty simple. The 2023 HR-V's lineup is very simple, consisting of three trim levels; LX, Sport, and EX-L. It competes with the likes of the Volkswagen Taos, the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Subaru Crosstrek, the Hyundai Kona, and HotCars' beloved Mazda CX-30.
2023 HR-V Powertrain And Drivetrain
With the move to the HA platform, the HR-V is only available with one powertrain. It's a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder developing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively to a CVT automatic transmission. This engine is also available on the Civic, but unfortunately, you can't have the turbo engine, or any type of electrification, at least not for 2023, but hopefully, Honda may offer those powertrains at a later date. For now, you're stuck with the 2.0, which will get the job done. The HR-V is FWD as standard, but you can also spec it with AWD.
The powertrain in the HR-V is certainly an interesting choice in today's automotive climate, due to its power output and the fact that it's naturally-aspirated. Still, it should get the job done for most situations. Fuel economy is decent, however, with the HR-V achieving up to 32 MPG on the highway, and 28 MPG in combined driving. The move to Honda's HA platform should also mean a more engaging experience behind the wheel.
2023 HR-V Comfort And Quality
Honda
The HA platform also brings improvements to the HR-V's interior. The new generation inherits the Civic's interior entirely, with the only difference being the taller driving position, as befits a crossover. The honeycomb mesh running the length of the dashboard looks premium, and the higher end trim levels get leather upholstery on the seats. The 9-inch infotainment screen, running the latest Connect software, is standard on the EX-L, and it includes wireless smartphone mirroring among other things. The other two trims get a 7-inch screen. The A/C controls are, thankfully, physical buttons and dials, and a fully digital gauge cluster is also available. The CVT transmission means that, sadly, the HR-V didn't make the cut for Honda's fancy push-button gear selector setup.
One major positive about the new HR-V is the safety tech. All three trim levels get Honda Sensing as standard, meaning adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, auto emergency braking and more. The HR-V seats five passengers, and its cargo area boasts 24.4 cubic feet of space.
2023 HR-V Pricing And Launch
Honda
The HR-V is available to order as of July 2022. The prices are very tempting; the cheapest LX model starts at $23,650, the Sport starts at $25,650, and the EX-L and $27,450. AWD costs an extra $1,500 on all three trim levels. That's a very low price, and you do get a fair bit for your money. Most of all, you get a much improved small crossover with lots of standard safety tech, good comfort and practicality, and some surprisingly solid dynamics.