Some surprises can be pleasing or concerning.
Honda’s new 2023 HR-V is a small SUV/crossover, it is full of the former, yet its starting price is $24,895, which caused me concern. I anticipated a homely yet efficient box on wheels, as per the first generation model that debuted as a 2016 model, a real party animal if you’re a family of accountants.
But no, the restyled, redesigned HR-V now rides on Honda’s larger Civic platform, not the former’s Fit chassis. It’s longer, lower and wider, all good things for performance, while remaining svelte at just over 3,200 pounds.
The styling leans toward sleek with a roofline that elegantly sweeps down in back and a new nose and tail that look as modern as any competitor. Additional sound deadening, an active noise cancellation system, and acoustic glass make it quieter inside too.
But the big deal is a multi-link rear suspension to replace the former torsion beam, improving ride quality to the point of HR-V not feeling so small. It corners with confidence and the steering is lively too.
Power also increases from 141 horses to 158 from the new 2.0-liter I4. No turbo here, but that would make it a blast. Still, at this weight and with this crossover’s handling ability the HR-V seems downright fun to drive, much like Mazda’s CX-30.
The automatic continuously variable transmission is super smooth too, giving the HR-V solid off-the-line performance, almost like a regular variable gear transmission.
Honda equips the crossover with three drive mode toggles too, Normal, Eco and Snow, the latter being something us northern states folks appreciate. No Sport mode here to pump up the power, but I didn’t miss it, much. Yet Honda does include as standard a hill descent button on the console in case you get off road and need to slowly creep down an incline while retaining good traction.
Make no mistake, this new HR-V has no business going off-roading, but the tested EX-L model included AWD that will help traction in winter slop. AWD costs $1,500 on all three trims.
Honda is also generous with safety equipment with the base LX model featuring forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control and automatic high beams. The tested EX-L adds low-speed braking control, parking sensors, driver attention monitor, and blind-spot warning too.
Slip inside the HR-V and the interior looks and feels roomy, but also more upscale than one might expect in this price range.
The Nordic Forest Metallic, a snazzy blue-gray that costs $395 extra, sported a black leather interior and black to gunmetal honeycomb dash trim. This is real metal, if that matters to you, and adds a bit of youthfulness to a car aimed at—you guessed it— young buyers.
Incredibly the door panels, arm rests and any area where an elbow may touch are well padded to create a luxury feel. Remember the cheap hard plastic of previous value models? Not in this Honda.
The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and the EX-L model upgrades the info screen from the standard 7-incher to a 9-inch touchscreen that’s simple to use and see. There also are dual climate control dials below the screen and a wireless phone charger tucked under the center stack.
Honda includes a power driver’s seat here and both front seats are heated and well contoured. Honda redesigned its seats for the HR-V to create more support and that’s obvious for the lower back and hips. Front and rear seats also are roomy so four adults could easily take a trip in this crossover.
Lots of cargo room behind the split folding rear seats too. Gone are the former folding “magic seats,” but these fold flat and create a cavernous cargo hold if the rear seats are lowered. One thing you don’t get is a power rear hatch, but then this is a high value model and really, it’s not difficult to close a small crossover’s rear hatch.
I like the traditional console-mounted stick shift too because it’s simple to grasp and does not require you look down at the console as so many of today’s buttons and rotary knobs do.
Did I mention the small sunroof? No, but you get that standard on the EX-L, along with a 180-watt 8-speaker audio system.
And all this costs just $30,195, including delivery, for the AWD-equipped EX-L. The test car added only the handsome blue-gray paint scheme, so listed at $30,590. As mentioned earlier the base LX starts at $24,895 and a well-equipped Sport model starts at $26,895.
One downside, for now, there is no hybrid model. Yet for a gas-only crossover the HR-V is rated at a solid 25 mpg city and 30 highway. The front-drive models get just a bit better mileage and I managed 30.6 in about 70% highway driving with up to four folks aboard.
Seems hard to beat this feature-packed small crossover considering Honda’s fine reliability record. Other challengers in this market include the sporty Mazda CX-30 and Subaru CrossTrek that feature AWD standard. The Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos also are solid competitors.
Don’t let anyone tell you there are no good cars/crossovers for $30,000 or less!
FAST STATS: 2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L
Hits: Confident handling, peppy power, good ride and AWD. Fine MPG, roomy and quiet interior, small sunroof, and wireless phone charger, plus 9-inch info screen, dual climate controls, power driver’s seat, well contoured seats, heated front seats and normal stick shift. Full range of safety features standard along with hill descent control.
Misses: No Sport mode among toggle drive-mode selections, no power hatch.
Made in: Mexico
Engine: 2.0-liter I4, 158 horsepower/138 torque
Transmission: CVT automatic
Weight: 3,219 lbs.
Length: 179.8 in.
Wheelbase: 104.5 in.
Cargo: 24-55.1 cu.ft.
MPG: 25/30
MPG: 30.6 (tested)
Base Price: $30,195 (includes delivery)
Invoice: N.A.
Major Option: Nordic Forest paint, $395
Test vehicle: $30,590
Sources: Honda, kbb.com
Photos: Mark Savage
