Honda’s entry-level utility vehicle combines style and substance, resulting in a practical and affordable runabout. The fact that it’s significantly larger than its predecessor adds to the appeal.
The original HR-V, which launched for the 2016 model year, was a solid and practical performer, but it was based on the tiny Fit subcompact and lacked cargo and passenger space.
The redesigned HR-V, which arrived for 2023, is larger, more powerful and has more styling panache. It’s also built on the Civic car platform, resulting in a vehicle that’s about 24 centimetres longer than the previous HR-V. Most of the increase is attributable to an elongated hood. The width is up by more than six centimetres while the distance between the front and rear wheels has increased by about four centimetres.
There’s more passenger room, but there’s only a marginal gain in cargo area behind the rear seat and a slight decrease with the rear seat folded forward. Not carried over is the previous HR-V’s flip-up rear seat cushion that provided floor-to-ceiling stowage for toting tall objects.
Where the redesigned HR-V shines bright is its fresh bodywork, which provides a more substantial look. The aerodynamically shaped nose appears similar to the Ford Escape’s, while the upright rear section adds to the HR-V’s wagon shape and creates more side-glass area. The shape leans more to the practical side.
The interior has been upgraded with richer-looking fabrics and less-plastic-y plastics, for a higher quality feel. The dashboard and assorted controls include a 7.0-inch driver’s information screen plus a 7.0-inch or optional 9.0-inch touch-screen, the latter including a navigation system. A traditional shift lever and adjustable fresh-air vents appear similar to the Civic’s.
For motivation, the HR-V uses the Civic’s base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Its 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque bests the previous 1.8-litre four-cylinder’s rating of 141/127 pound-feet.
The drive modes — Normal, Eco and Snow — alter throttle and transmission functions plus the output of the air conditioning (Eco, in particular).
Fuel economy of the front-wheel-drive model is rated at 9.1 l/100 km in the city, 7.4 on the highway and 8.3 combined. That’s only slightly better than the previous HR-V’s numbers, but it’s still reasonable considering the greater heft and the larger engine.
A continuously variable transmission with simulated gear changes is standard. Hill descent control is also included. When heading downhill, drivers can limit vehicle speed to between three and 20 km/h by pushing a button on the floor console.
All-wheel drive is optional on the base LX trim and standard for Sport and EX-L Navi. According to Honda, the system has been programmed to send a higher percentage of engine power to the rear wheels when additional traction is required.
The base LX starts at $31,650, including destination charges. It arrives reasonably well equipped and includes an array of active-safety technologies such as collision-mitigation braking, road-departure warning/mitigation, lane-keeping assist and driver-attention monitoring.
Also of note is the standard backup camera that provides 100 degrees of view.
The midrange Sport trim has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats, remote engine start, up-level audio system and 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers are standard).
The EX-L Navi comes with dual-zone climate control, power moonroof, leather-trimmed interior, power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless phone charging and ambient LED lighting. Front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control are also exclusive to the EX-L Navi.
For budget-minded shoppers, the HR-V’s decent passenger and stowage s capacities and clean, uncluttered shape make it worth checking out. Other contenders to consider include the Toyota Corolla Cross, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Volkswagen Taos, to name a few. Among with theses and others in its class, the HR-V easily measures up.
