LoadingSomething is loading. Show
Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Honda has given its HR-V a radical redesign for the 2023 model year, injecting some extra size and sophistication into its smallest SUV. But the popular compact SUV segment is more packed than ever. Everybody from Toyota to Hyundai to Chevrolet is vying for the money in your wallet. The second-generation HR-V delivers modern looks and an attractive interior, but its wimpy highway performance drags it down. Pro: Stylish inside and outThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V dumps its predecessor's stubby proportions and quirks in favor of a smooth, modern, and ultimately more high-end look. The 2023 model looks more like a full-grown SUV than a wannabe. It's attractive inside, too, featuring lots of soft surfaces and a handsome honeycomb pattern (made of actual metal) running down its dash. One nice touch: There's a pass-through in the center console that gives both the driver and passenger access to a phone-storage spot and USB port. The cabin of the top-trim EX-L model I tested (which came out to just over $30,000) had upscale appointments like heated leather seats, an upgraded 9-inch touchscreen, and a wireless phone charger. Con: Sluggish on the highwayThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderTo be sure, nobody is buying a small SUV for its zero-to-60-mph time. Still, it's worth noting that the HR-V is somewhat sluggish at high speeds. Stomp the gas to make a pass at 60 mph, and the HR-V will do a lot of groaning and not too much accelerating. All HR-Vs are powered by a 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine. Read more: I've driven 15 different electric cars. These are my 13 favorite features, from the F-150's frunk to Rivian's camping kitchen. Pro: Roomy interiorThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V shares a chassis with the Civic sedan rather than the pint-sized Fit hatchback (which has been canceled in the US). It's now substantially longer and wider, and that means a roomier back seat. With the driver's seat in its natural position for me (at around six feet tall), I was able to fit in the back seat just fine. And I found all the HR-V's seats decently comfortable. Con: No more Magic SeatThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe old HR-V (and Fit) had clever flip-up seat bottoms that let owners stow big and tall items on the floor of the back seat. The new model lacks that feature but has rear seats that fold completely flat for bulkier cargo. Pro: Generous safety features and driver aidsThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderAll HR-Vs come with ample safety and driver-assistance tech as part of the Honda Sensing suite. It includes road-departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. All but the base model come with blind-spot monitoring as well. Jack R. Nerad | Oct 26, 2022 One might view a comparison between the 2023 Honda CR-V and the 2023 Honda HR-V as a duel between big brother and little brother. A brand will rarely bring to market all-new versions of two important models like the CR-V and HR-V back-to-back. It is rarer still when the two models share the same platform and, in many ways, are so similar. But that is the situation Honda presented, so let's unpack it a bit. The Honda CR-V is one of the original crossover SUVs and has been a mainstay of Honda sales for decades. Beyond that, Honda claims the CR-V has been the bestselling SUV model for the past 25 years. The 2023 model-year CR-V is the first of its sixth generation, based on Honda's enhanced global architecture that supports the Honda Civic and the HR-V. Versus the previous-generation CR-V, Honda stretched the 2023 model's wheelbase 1.6 inches—to 106.3 inches—and widened the CR-V's track front and rear. Honda says the body is 15-percent torsionally stiffer than before. That, combined with a heavily revised suspension, gives the CR-V better handling with an equally comfortable ride. Available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or a hybrid drivetrain powers the 2023 CR-V. The availability of a hybrid setup is a key differentiator between the CR-V "big brother" and the HR-V "little brother." As you will note, there are several others. The Honda HR-V has not been around as long as the CR-V, nor has it been nearly the sales success of its sibling. The 2023 HR-V is the first of its second generation, based on the same basic platform as the new CR-V. For the smaller HR-V, the new platform represents a major upgrade in its underpinnings. Honda lengthened the HR-V's wheelbase by 1.7 inches—to 104.5 inches—and the front and rear tracks are much wider (by 2.0 and 2.5 inches, respectively) than the previous HR-V. Honda also significantly upgraded the suspension, with a fully independent multi-link design replacing the semi-independent design of the past. The 2023 HR-V also receives a significant powertrain upgrade. The lone engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 17 more horsepower than the previous-generation HR-V's 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. Unlike the CR-V, the HR-V does not offer a hybrid powertrain. Explore new car previews  2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty Preview F-Series Super Duty trucks got what they needed for the 2023 model year. Ford announced a more powerful line of heavy-duty trucks with a load of available new tech, great standard safety features, and unique upfits to make the trucks more appropriate for specific industries. Read the full review 2023 Honda Pilot Preview The fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot is about to go on sale, and Honda substantially upgrades it over the popular third-generation model it replaces. Honda will offer the redesigned 2023 Pilot in Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite trim levels in December 2022. Read the full review 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel Preview Ram used the 2022 State Fair of Texas to show off its new 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel, a beefy off-road truck that retains its work-truck capabilities. It brings hardcore off-road upgrades such as an electronic-locking rear differential and a rear limited-slip differential. Read the full review |
