How much bigger is the 2023 Honda HRV?

9.16.2022

by Jessica Ray

The Honda HR-V may have arrived a little late to the subcompact crossover party, but, with Honda’s wealth of knowledge on how to load lots of space and features into small packages, when it finally did arrive for 2016, it instantly became a top pick among small utes.  

What Honda has done with the all-new 2nd generation 2023 Honda HR-V is essentially replaced the awkward-looking Fit-based first gen effort, with a more traditional SUV shape that has much more in common with the larger but still compact CR-V.  

But, as is usually the case when things go more mainstream, the HR-V has lost a few things along the way that made it unique. Primarily, its eminently practical rear magic seat is no more, being replaced by a more familiar split folding design.  

We’re less saddened by the rear door handles moving from the pillars down to a more familiar position on the doors. Also our entire staff agrees it’s a much better-looking design, though the rounded face keeps the overall vibe playful.

Now actually based on the Civic, this HR-V is 9.4–inches longer and wider than before. That, along with its more SUV-like shape, generates an extended roofline with more practical cargo space. But, there’s still enough rear glass rake to give the HR-V a hatchback feel.  At 24.4 cubic-ft., cargo room behind the second row split-bench is up over last year, and among best in class.

Now, while it may look more like an SUV, you actually sit lower than before inside. Still, there’s a much nicer interior to look at, with a more functional layout. Materials with honeycomb accents, and French stitching, help HR-V truly feel a step above the price point it’s playing in.  

Tech was not exactly cutting edge in the first HR-V. It is a much different scene now.  There’s even a nice clear digital gauge panel that includes an actual speedometer with needle, not the customary Honda digital readout.  

On top of the dash is either a 7-inch touchscreen as standard. Our test EX-L came with a 9-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are plenty of easy access USBs, and helpful pass thru storage in the console too.  Top EX-L also adds wireless phone charging, power moonroof, leather trimmed seats, dual zone climate controls, ambient lighting, and parking sensors front and rear.  

Front seats are wide and comfy, and while the rear seats no longer perform magic tricks, your mother-in-law will appreciate that they are now much more comfortable than before.  

Under-hood, is the Civic’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4 with 17–more horsepower than the previous HR-V’s 1.8-liter. However, 158-horsepower and 138 lb-ft. of torque are not going to drum up too much excitement.  Transmission is also the Civic’s CVT, but with the ability to add all-wheel-drive.  

The HR-v now also sports the Civic’s multi-link independent rear suspension. It makes for noticeable improvement over the previous HR-V’s torsion-beam setup, with better composure and less body roll on all surfaces. The ride is also far more civilized and an expansive greenhouse gives great visibility all around.  

For our complete road test of the 2022 Honda HR-V, be sure to catch MotorWeek episode #4203 that begins airing on PBS September 23, 2022. For a listing of the PBS public television stations that broadcast MotorWeek, go to motorweek.org and click the “About the Show” tab at the top. You can also watch weekly episodes of MotorWeek on our cable partner MAVTV with new episodes airing each Saturday at 7:30 PM. Check their entire schedule at MAVTV.com. MotorWeek can also be streamed in its entirety on PBS.org/MotorWeek, as well as on PBS Living, a part of Amazon Prime Video. Road Test videos are also available at motorweek.org and on youtube.com/motorweek. 

There may be more Civic and less Fit in this 2023 Honda HR-V, but that actually makes it a better fit for most small families and young “couples on the go” who want a small utility vehicle to live their young active lifestyle lives to the fullest.

Entry-level cars are tricky. Automakers have to balance keeping the cost low with making a worthy product. Some do a fabulous job while others make you wonder if you’d have been better off walking. While its predecessor fell somewhere in the middle of those two extremes, the redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V is a budget crossover that makes driving the right choice.

At a Honda-hosted media event, I got to sample the new HR-V on an extended drive along the Columbia Gorge in Oregon and Washington to give it a test and “all-new” is not an exaggeration in this case.

There’s not much in this vehicle that Honda didn’t change. Improvements start on the outside with a new look that adds significant curb appeal. 

The HR-V’s Glow Up

It’s still Honda’s smallest crossover, but the new HR-V is 2.6 inches wider and 8.7 inches longer with bold, curving lines that make it look sporty and fun. It no longer has the air of an appliance that simply gets you from one point to the next and nothing more. Now it looks like a car that will make the trip one to enjoy. At 179.8 inches long, it also slots neatly between rival crossovers like Volkswagen’s Taos and Tiguan.

Open the door and the changes are even more dramatic, with high-quality materials that avoid making the HR-V look like an economy car. The base LX trim has attractive fabric seating surfaces with an eye-catching metal honeycomb mesh adorning the dashboard, similar to that of this year’s redesigned Civic. The top EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces and an eight-way power driver’s seat for added comfort. In every trim, materials were thoughtfully chosen to create a comfortable, welcoming space for driver and passengers alike.

In addition to looking better, the HR-V is more comfortable with new Body Stabilizing Seats designed to improve the ride on longer drives. 

This isn’t something you see, but it is something you feel. It’s all about what’s inside the seats. There are support structures that stabilize your body as you drive so you don’t feel the need to keep shifting around to stay comfortable. They even help stabilize your upper body, so your arms stay relaxed and your eyes stay easily focused on the road.

The bigger footprint strangely doesn’t translate to more cargo room. There are 24.4 cubic-feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats with 55.1 with them folded. That’s an impressive amount of cargo room for such a small vehicle, but about the same as the old model. It does offer plenty of spots for smaller items with a deep center console storage bin to keep everything secure and out of sight. Sheer space aside, the new HR-V offers a greatly improved experience for everyone.

Infotainment Upgrades

A 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, three USB charging ports and a four-speaker audio system is now standard on both the base EX and midrange Sport trims. Honda added a physical power/volume knob on one side of the screen with a tuning knob on the other, which sounds like a small change, but it’s one that makes this system easier to use. 

There’s also a row of buttons at the bottom to easily navigate through your audio options with an 0.8-inch edge where you can rest your finger and steady your hand while making selections. Again, a small change that makes a big difference.

The EX-L gets a further upgrade with a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen and a faster processor for improved responsiveness. It’s less likely that you’ll tap the screen, think that tap didn’t register, and then tap it again only to realize there was a lag and now you’re lost somewhere in the menus. This upgrade also adds two rear USB charging ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless charging and refined controls with shortcuts that can be tailored to individual user profiles.

More Power

Under the hood of the HR-V is a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The engine, like the HR-V’s platform architecture, is shared with the Civic, but the crossover weighs about 300 pounds more. Still, it’s about 10% more powerful than the old HR-V, which didn’t weigh much less. 

Acceleration isn’t aggressive, but it’s easily enough to get up to highway speeds in heavy traffic. All told, the chassis and engine offer drivers a more confident and refined driving experience.

As on the Civic, there’s still a continuously variable automatic transmission, but it’s updated to deliver better responsiveness. The combination of a new engine and a refined transmission make the HR-V a better choice for long commutes and family road trips. It also gets good fuel economy for the class with front-wheel drive models earning an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined and all-wheel drive (AWD) trims coming in with 27 mpg combined.

I drove the HR-V through winding country roads outside Portland, Oregon up to Oldman Pass. It’s a beautiful route full of tight turns leading up into the mountains on a narrow two-lane road. This is the kind of road you see in car commercials showing off a luxurious sports car whipping through the turns while a supermodel lets the wind blow through her hair without a care in the world. 

Despite not having an exorbitant price or a supermodel at the helm, this compact crossover was controlled, well-mannered and fun to drive. It handles beautifully with better responsiveness than expected. It’s also quiet with minimal road, wind and engine noise intruding into the cabin.

Affordably Priced

Pricing starts at a modest $24,895 for the base LX. The Sport comes in at $25,650 while the top EX-L is $27,450. Front-wheel drive is standard, with AWD available for $1,500 on all three trims. This makes the HR-V more capable in rough weather, but it’s not an off-roader and there are only 7 inches of ground clearance (7.3 in the Sport). There are other, pricier options on the market if that’s what you have planned for your weekend adventures. Instead, the HR-V is focused on providing a responsive ride with a comfortable interior that as easily handles the family as it does friends heading out for the night.

This is a crowded segment so there’s tough competition. The sleek and decidedly upscale Mazda CX-30 delivers a more refined interior and a stronger focus on performance, but with less room for people and cargo. The Kia Seltos takes things in the other direction with more room for cargo, while the Hyundai Kona has a fun, quirky design with even smaller dimensions for those who frequently travel in congested urban areas.

Despite that competition, the 2023 Honda HR-V has a lot to offer. Three affordable trims, a responsive engine and good handling combine with a comfortable and nicely equipped interior. For those who want the versatility of an SUV, but with smaller dimensions that make it easier to manage and more fun to drive, it’s a solid choice.

The Honda HR-V started arriving in dealerships a couple of weeks ago.

Honda provided lodging, meals and travel to enable us to bring you this first-person report. Although Forbes Wheels sometimes participates in manufacturer-hosted events, our coverage is independent, unbiased and aimed at offering consumers an objective view of every vehicle we test.

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