The 2023 Honda HRV has undergone some welcome improvements, such as adding more basic safety equipment and improving the multimedia system, but its new engine is dull and less effective, and its stylish, distinctive Magic Seat is no longer present.
Although it falls short of certain rivals in terms of storage space and fuel economy, the HR-V stands out from other subcompact SUVs thanks to its user-friendly multimedia system and smooth ride.
For 2023, Honda gave the HR-V a facelift and shifted it to the Civic’s base. Among other upgrades, the SUV now has a new look, additional standard safety technology, and a more powerful engine.
Honda HRV 2023
Driving the 2023 model is another journey to Dullsville since the outgoing HR-V failed to produce any compelling road manners. The engine is lacking in guts, to begin with. You’ll need a lot of time (and space on the road) to pass or merge while the power from a stop rises slowly. The engine’s mate is also not too eager: The continuously variable automatic gearbox in the HR-V feels and sounds laboured, maintaining rpm at what seems to be the redline. The engine regularly and noisily whines.
We had anticipated that the HR-V might get some of the sedan’s powertrains with the switch to the Civic’s base, such as maybe the cute little 180-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Yet, no. The 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2023 HR-V replaces the 141-horsepower 1.8-litre four-cylinder in the current model. The only available gearbox is a CVT, and the HR-V once again offers all- or front-wheel drive. The Seltos and Trailblazer both have optional turbo engines, but other vehicles in the class provide a little more thrill.
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The new engine for the HR-V has lower fuel efficiency than the previous one, adding fuel to the dissatisfaction fireThe EPA rates the outgoing HR-V at 30 mpg with FWD and 29 mpg with AWD. Still, the SUV’s rating decreases to 28 with FWD and 27 mpg with AWD in 2023.
Competitors of Honda do better: The Toyota Corolla Cross is rated at 31/33/32 mpg, the Kia Seltos is rated at 29/35/31 mpg, and the Chevy Trailblazer receives an EPA-estimated 31/29/30 mpg highway/city/combined, with its basic engine and FWD. An electric or hybrid model would be beneficial in terms of performance and mileage. Although a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is on the way, Honda doesn’t sell its hybrid HR-V here in the United States, which is a wasted opportunity given the dearth of cars in this class with alternative fuel alternatives.
Though not all of it is bad. The AWD system in the new HR-V is improved, adding the Snow mode to the Normal and Eco modes, as well as regular hill descent control. Drivers may select a speed between 2 and 12 mph, and the technology will keep the car moving at that pace while the driver manoeuvres down a steep hill.
The new completely independent rear suspension of the HR-V has also helped to enhance ride quality. One of the best-riding SUVs in the subcompact generations, it feels composed and gently absorbs bumps.
Honda HRV reviews
EX-L trim level’s inside featured a sleek, contemporary appearance owing to added features like a metal honeycomb-mesh accent that ran over the dash and covered the air vents. It gives off a far less cheap impression than the Trailblazer and the Corolla Cross cabins.
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The HR-controls, V’s which received a much-needed ergonomic upgrade for 2023, are also in the positive column. The new model has a standard 7-inch centre touchscreen, an analogue speedometer, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now included in the entry-level LX model. The highest EX-L model comes with a bigger 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless CarPlay connection and wireless charging.
The multimedia system on the EX-L was surprisingly easy to operate. The screen is snappy and user-friendly, and it is conveniently located high on the dashboard. I was pleased to see the reintroduction of physical controls in the HR-V; there is a sizable volume dial above a couple of modest tuning buttons.
Wireless Android Auto connected without a hitch. Below it, the finicky touch-sensitive screen that was removed from the higher trims of the previous model is replaced by large temperature control knobs and buttons. The Kia Seltos, which also features a fantastic multimedia system, and the HR-multimedia V’s system are now among the most user-friendly in their respective classes as a result of the changes.
Honda Models
The safety features of the new HR-V surpass those of the previous model. Even the basic model now has the Honda Sensing suite of active safety systems, and numerous new features have been introduced, such as a front wide-view camera, traffic congestion assistance, and traffic sign recognition.
Along with the frontal collision warning with pedestrian recognition and automated lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure steering assist already present in the HR-V, these new functions are now available.
Honda HRV Price
The LX, Sport, and EX-L trim levels of the 2023 HR-V are available. The starting price for the Sport is $26,895, the basic LX is $24,895 and the EX-L is $28,695. All of these prices include a destination fee of $1,245. Depending on trim, prices are up $780 to $2,080 from the 2022 HR-V. Priced more than the basic models of the Corolla Cross ($24,395), Seltos ($24,135), and Trailblazer ($23,295), the HR-V is at the top of the subcompact food chain.
Honda HRV 2022
With a few limitations, the HR-V continues to impress with its unexpected capacity to pack a lot into its compact size. Disappointingly, the Magic Seat from the previous iteration has vanished for good. The Magic Seat, a backseat with many adjustable configurations for accommodating people and various sorts of goods, was not carried over to the current model since the HR-V shifted to the Civic’s platform. It was a beneficial feature that distinguished the HR-V from its bland competitors in earlier testing.
With its 2023 makeover, the HR-V increased by 2.6 inches in breadth and 9.4 inches in length, yet the increase in size strangely doesn’t transfer to noticeable increases in passenger and luggage capacity; in certain locations, it even causes a loss of room. Honda claims the 2022 model’s back legroom is 39.3 inches, however, the 2023 model only has 37.7 inches. The 2022 model has 38.3 inches of back headroom, however, the 2023 model only had 38.0 inches.
While the SUV’s enlarged rear-seat area and updated seats make it a pleasant place to go, backseat space is still decent for a vehicle this size, with adult-friendly headroom and legroom. Due to its easily accessible Latch anchors and roomy interior for two car seats, the HR-V performed well in our Car Seat Check as well.
The 2023 HR-V offers 15.5 cubic feet of room behind the backseat according to specifications. The HR-V formerly led its class in freight capacity, but now rivals are coming up. The Seltos boasts 16.3 cubic feet of room behind its backseat, which is more than one significant rival has to provide. (The cargo space in the Trailblazer is 13.5 cubic feet, compared to 14.2 in the Corolla Cross.)
AÂ brand-new pass-through space in the front centre console and a small underfloor drawer for storing small goods in the cargo area, both of which I really appreciated, is among the storage features. There is plenty of room to store little things and a nice location for USB connections.
