Honda HR-V Review

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Image shows a blue Honda HR-V driving in a city.

If you’re looking for a practical subcompact SUV, the Honda HR-V is a strong option to consider. We’ve reviewed a range of models from 2019 to present, to give you an idea of what to expect from a used Honda HR-V, and hopefully help you with your buying decision.

As with any car, the Honda HR-V has its pros and cons which we’ve weighed up to make things easier.

Pros of the Honda HR-V:

Great cargo space
Excellent fuel economy
Easy and balanced handling

Cons of the Honda HR-V:

Less power than some rival SUVs
Technology can take some getting used to
Lack of standard features

Honda HR-V price

Latest 2021 version: From $27,960

Used version (2019-2021): From $22,000-$26,000

Pricing for this model will vary depending on the specification, year, and location that you choose but generally, the HR-V is priced competitively against similar cars. It’s an affordable and fairly priced SUV which holds its value well.

Factors such as condition and mileage may also affect the price – the more miles traveled generally means a lower cost. It’s important to balance this carefully, an older model might cost less, but be more expensive to maintain in the long-term.

Performance

To understand the performance of the Honda HR-V, it’s important to look at all models from 2019 to present, as things have stayed fairly consistent.

You can expect roughly 141-hp whichever year you opt for and sporty handling which is helped by responsive steering and great stopping power. The drive will be comfortable and fun, but it might not give you the oomph you desire thanks to a middle of the road 4-cylinder engine.

The 2019, 2020 and 2021 models all share the same engine specifications:

1.8-liter
141-hp at 6,500 rpm
127lb-ft torque at 4,300 rpm

So, as you can see, the Honda HR-V won’t blow you away with its speed or torque, but it’s a reliable car which will be comfortable to drive.

Reliability

The HR-V is rated well for its reliability as Honda is known as a quality and dependable brand. This reputation comes from high engineering and manufacturing standards which ensures Honda vehicles stand the test of time. Combine this with low maintenance costs and you have yourself a reliable car.

Honda also provides the HR-V with impressive warranty coverage: either a three- year/36,000-mile basic warranty or a five-year/60000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety

The 2021 Honda HR-V received an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the NHTSA and performed well in The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests. 2019 and 2020 models were also well rated for their safety, although headlight reach and brightness has been rated poorly across all models.

However, automatic high-beam headlights are an upgradable safety feature and Honda provides drivers with a rearview camera as standard in 2019 models and upwards. There is also a wide range of advanced safety features which may be built into your used Honda.

Available driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation and lane departure warning to help in distracting circumstances or emergency situations. Front and rear parking sensors are also an option which is handy for parking your SUV in those tighter spots.

Fuel economy

This model offers great fuel economy compared to its rivals in the small SUV market. You’ll achieve an average of 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city with front-wheel drive.

If you opt for all-wheel drive your mpg will drop ever so slightly to 31 mpg on the highway and 26 in the city. This is the case for 2019 models onwards.

Cargo space and interior

With more than enough space for five passengers, the Honda HR-V will suit all your cargo and interior needs. In the EX, EX-L and Touring trims you’ll find a generous 96.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, and 100.1 cubic feet in the LX and Sport trims.

Taller friends and members of the family will be comfortable thanks to 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 39.3 inches in the rear. Your holiday luggage, shopping hauls or furry friends will have plenty of room as the cargo volume measures in at 24.3 cubic feet with the seats up and 58.8 cubic feet with the seats down.

Available interior features will depend on the model trim and year but include leather upholstery, heated seats, drinks holders, illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls and a telescopic steering column.

Infotainment and technology

The infotainment system in this car is modest with heaps of available upgrades. In the base trim you’ll adjust the climate and audio settings with physical controls and a 5-inch display, whereas upper trims have a 7-inch touchscreen.

Smartphone connectivity doesn’t come as standard with the Honda HR-V but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. You can enjoy your podcasts or music via Bluetooth (available with all trims) and either four or six speakers, depending on the trim. Satellite navigation is also an optional extra.

A rearview camera is standard in 2019-2021 models for tricky parking situations, and you can add front and rear parking sensors. Other available safety upgrades include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a collision mitigation braking system.

Is the Honda HR-V a good family car?

So, the Honda HR-V might not be the sleekest and most luxurious model on the market, but it is incredibly practical and reliable. It’s not for the drivers who want to hear the engine roar as they accelerate, it is, however, the perfect family subcompact SUV.

With fantastic fuel economy, affordable price tag, quality engineering and roomy cargo space, the HR-V is a sensible choice. Not to mention its great safety ratings and warranty guarantee. And, although it won’t blow your socks off with its engine performance, the comfortable drive makes this car the perfect road trip companion.