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Actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
The standard features of the Honda HR-V LX include 1.8L I-4 141hp engine, 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), SmartVent side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" aluminum wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, VSA electronic stability.
Starting at: $19,670
| MSRP | Engine | Transmission | City/Hwy mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LX 2WD
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$19,670 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-spd man. | 25 / 33 |
LX 2WD
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$20,470 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 28 / 34 |
EX 2WD
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$21,720 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-spd man. | 25 / 33 |
LX AWD
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$21,870 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 27 / 31 |
EX 2WD
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$22,520 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 28 / 34 |
EX AWD
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$23,920 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 27 / 31 |
EX-L w/Navigation 2WD
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$25,140 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 28 / 34 |
EX-L w/Navigation AWD
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$26,540 | 141-hp 1.8L 4-cyl | continuously variable auto | 27 / 31 |
The power is adequate, considering it brings back more than 30 miles per gallon, but the HR-V lacks oomph when the throttle goes down, thanks to the continuously variable transmission, which lags between shifts. However, on the EX models there is a sport mode that brings a bit of snap to the shifts, and using the paddle shifters helps a lot. Thank heavens they are there, to salvage some fun out of driving the car.
With the manual transmission, the acceleration feels fine, zipping around town and out on the highway. However it gets 3 mpg less, at 25 city, 33 highway, and 28 combined. But give Honda credit for offering it, as an option to their unexciting CVT. If only they built a CVT with as much feel as Subaru.
The HR-V is designed for commuter driving, not sporty cornering or off-roading, so the ride is better than the cornering. The body motions are well controlled, and it never feels brittle, even on terrible roads. The suspension uses struts in front and a torsion beam in the rear, with standard 17-inch wheels; it’s more absorbent than that on the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade or Chevy Trax.
As for handling, it’s adequately confident and balanced, although far from entertaining on a twisty road. The steering is fairly relaxed. If cornering is what you want in a small crossover, the Mazda CX-3 is the way to go.
The HR-V is perky and blunt, a smooth blend of hatchback and coupe. Honda says it’s designed to look like a coupe, with its short overhangs, sharp creases and aggressive angles. From the front it resembles the larger CR-V, but with a wider front grille and a stronger nose. From the side, the curved roofline is punctuated by a roof spoiler. A sharp, rising character line runs from the door up into the D-pillar. In the rear, a strong crease swoops from the outside of each tail light, creating a wide grin.
The cabin feels heavy on fabric and plastic. The controls are well laid out, with a five-inch touchscreen on the center stack, and better seven-inch screen on the navigation model, that’s perfectly located in the high center console, that helps separate the driver from the front passenger. Below the center stack there’s a small storage space that can fit a phone, with a USB port. The door pockets are wide and shallow.
The front seats are quite comfortable, with a fine fabric, but small persons might not find a place that fits, with the manual adjustment.
The leather on the top EX-L model feels somewhat stiff.
Rear visibility is good despite a small rear window. When you get used to Honda LaneWatch, it’s helpful. When you flip the turn signal, a screen shows the rearward view of the side of the car that’s turning, from the point of view of the sideview mirror.
If you go by total interior space, more than 100 cubic feet in the LX, the HR-V is the roomiest vehicle of its kind. In the rear seat, adults have excellent headroom and legroom.
The 60/40-split rear seat can fold completely flat, and Honda’s Magic Seat that folds and flips the second-row seat like a lawn chair. The rear cargo is square and flat with a ton of space. With the seats up, there’s a fat 25 cubic feet of cargo space; with them down, there’s 58.8 cubic feet. Compare to the Chevy Trax, with 18.7 cubic feet and 48.4 cubic feet.
The HR-V is a strong contender in the subcompact crossover class. It’s exactly what Honda bred it to be: a cross between the Honda Fit and CR-V. It’s not exciting to drive, but it is exciting in its ability to do so much and carry so much, while getting 30 mpg.
Sam Moses contributed to this review, with staff reports.
Honda HR-V comes in LX and EX models. Front-wheel drive with six-speed manual gearbox is standard, all-wheel drive with CVT is optional ($2100). (Prices are MSRP and do not include destination charge.)
The 2018 Honda HR-V LX ($19,570) comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, Bluetooth, five-inch color display, four-speaker 160-watt audio system, single USB port, auxiliary audio jack, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
EX ($22,420) adds sunroof, fog lights, automatic climate control, heated front seats, six-speaker 180-watt stereo system, seven-inch display screen with the HondaLink interface, Pandora, text message function, second USB port, and Honda Lane Watch.
EX-L Navi CVT 4WD ($26,340) adds leather, navigation with voice recognition and real-time traffic, HD radio, and satellite radio.
Safety equipment on all models includes frontal airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and multi-angle rearview camera.
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