Execs: Excessive-end cabin; it’s principally an enormous Civic; high security scores; Honda dependability and resale
Cons: Gradual, even by section requirements, with out a gas economic system bonus; no sporty or outdoorsy trim ranges
The 2024 Honda HR-V is outwardly the best-selling SUV in the USA for first-time automobile consumers in addition to these belonging to Gen Z (one would assume there’s an terrible lot of overlap there). Credit score to these consumers, then, as they’re actually making a wise buy. The HR-V has an enormous, well-made cabin, loads of area, high security scores and carries Honda’s well-earned repute for reliability and resale. As easy, reliable transportation for these wanting to take a seat up a bit greater and luxuriate in some versatility, the HR-V will get the job carried out.
It seems like there’s a “however” coming right here, doesn’t it? There’s! Whereas the HR-V is actually wise, it’s also awfully boring. Different subcompact SUVs provide distinctive type and cater to sure niches with sporty or off-road-flavored variants. Briefly, they’ve extra character. Then, with uncommon exception, they’re extra participating to drive and have stronger engines. The HR-V is likely one of the slowest automobiles on the market and it completely feels it. Worse, it doesn’t counteract that with above-average gas economic system. Even its utility is mid-pack – the cargo space isn’t as spacious as its cargo quantity suggests and there are not any roof rails obtainable to develop its versatility.
Principally, the HR-V could also be a good selection, but it surely’s in any other case simply tremendous. We’d sooner advocate others within the section, a few of which price much less cash whereas delivering extra. That features the Chevrolet Trax, Buick Envista, Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Niro hybrid, Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen Taos, Mazda CX-30 and super-budget-friendly Nissan Kicks. Sure, it’s an extended record, however that speaks to the place the HR-V sits within the pecking order.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The HR-V carries over unchanged for 2024.
What are the HR-V inside and in-car know-how like?
Aside from the excessive, floating heart console lined in soft-touch pleather that makes its method from the final HR-V (albeit up to date), the remainder of the cabin’s good-looking design and above-average supplies are largely consistent with the Honda Civic. That’s a terrific factor. The obvious Civic cue is the wheel-to-door air vent plated by a metal-look honeycomb sample. There might come a day when Honda overuses this design aspect however, for now, it’s distinctive. You may learn our deep dive overview of the HR-V EX-L trim degree right here.
The touchscreen (7 inches in LX and Sport, 9 inches in EX-L), are shared with the Civic, and are exponentially higher than the outgoing HR-V’s sluggish, convoluted and just-plain-old touchscreen. Now, are these screens higher than these of the HR-V’s rivals? No, probably not, particularly when in comparison with the Kia Seltos and Chevy Trax/Buick Envista twins. They’re additionally now not demonstrably worse. Three USB-A ports additionally reside within the heart console, and the range-topping EX-L trim degree will get wi-fi charging to go together with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Wired variations come customary.
How large is the HR-V?
The HR-V is each larger and roughly the identical measurement because the SUV it replaces, which is complicated, and if you wish to know the way and why, we dig into that in our HR-V first drive overview. In the end, although, the HR-V grew to fulfill the brand new, larger subcompact customary met by virtually the whole lot else within the section. Passenger area is among the many greatest within the group, and together with the Taos, Trax and Envista, is likely one of the extra household pleasant because of this.
When it comes to cargo area, there’s 24.4 cubic toes of cargo area (principally the identical as earlier than, however once more, lengthy story). That’s solely mid-pack, with the Seltos, Taos and Bronco Sport having extra. Extra importantly, we discovered the HR-V’s angled liftgate opening makes it tough to load baggage inside and reduces performance in comparison with not solely these more-voluminous-on-paper opponents, however others just like the Buick Envista and Subaru Crosstrek. The HR-V does at the very least boast a again seat that folds completely flat because of a neatly engineered, multi-hinged seat backside that dips down into the footwell. No dual-level cargo flooring essential.
What are the HR-V gas economic system and efficiency specs?
There is just one engine and transmission combo obtainable: a 2.0-liter inline-four good for 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque that’s related to a repeatedly variable transmission. Entrance- and all-wheel drive can be found. Its output is beneath common for the section – a lot of which supply much more highly effective upgrades.
EPA-estimated gas economic system is available in at 26 mpg metropolis, 32 mpg freeway and 28 mpg mixed with front-wheel drive. It falls to 25/30/27 with all-wheel drive. That is really decrease than these extra highly effective rivals.
What is the HR-V prefer to drive?
It’s fairly sluggish, with a dearth of low-end grunt (its piddling 138 pound-feet of torque arrives at a lofty 4,200 rpm). Lay into the throttle and nothing actually occurs, which is in distinction to the punchy little turbo engines of many opponents. That’s contains the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which have comparable on-paper 0-60 occasions because the HR-V, however in the end really feel a lot faster. The HR-V is sluggish and it feels sluggish. The CVT does a great job of behaving like a fairly regular transmission by simulating gears, and even making use of engine braking when going downhill when in Sport or Low modes. Must you need to hustle issues alongside, the Sport mode doesn’t actually dwell as much as its billing, because it’s too desirous to upshift. There are not any paddle shifters obtainable.
Past the powertrain, the driving expertise is impressively refined for the section. Maybe it’s the varied current-generation CR-V bits and items within the suspension, but it surely does have a extra substantial, subtle really feel. Physique roll is saved in first rate test and the steering is constantly weighted with commendable response. The ratio is noticeably slower than the Civic’s, although, and dealing by means of a winding mountain highway required extra turning angle than anticipated. That is in distinction to the extra energetic, participating Mazda CX-30 and Chevy Trax. There’s undoubtedly a sportier model doable right here ought to Honda select to go there – ditto one higher suited to outdoorsy actions. Its floor clearance is modest at solely 7 inches, and there are not any roof rails, both.
What different Honda HR-V evaluations can I learn?
2023 Honda HR-V First Drive
A deeper dive into how the brand new HR-V differs from its predecessor, plus insights on why these modifications had been made (and why there is not any turbocharged engine).
Honda HR-V Baggage Take a look at
The HR-V underwhelms in the case of hauling stuff, particularly in comparison with its ultra-versatile predecessor.
Honda HR-V EX-L Inside Evaluation
Taking a deep dive into the top-of-the-line EX-L inside, together with its supplies high quality, storage, know-how and area.
Honda HR-V vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which is healthier?
We check out two of the best-sellers within the section, evaluating specs and our separate impressions of them. In the end, although, we advocate people look past these two.
What’s the 2024 HR-V value?
Pricing begins at $25,395 for the bottom, front-wheel-drive LX trim degree. That features the $1,295 vacation spot cost. That place to begin, plus these of higher trim ranges, are aggressive with most rivals, together with the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. Nonetheless, as we’ve said above, the HR-V has notable demerits or at the very least comes up quick. It’s additionally vital to name out the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which price significantly much less.
Not like a few of these rivals, there are not any particular trim ranges to name out that provide sportier seems to be or driving dynamics, or off-road-themed variations that acquire further floor clearance and performance for carrying out of doors journey gear. The HR-V Sport comes shut, but it surely’s actually simply the mid-grade trim with some sporty-ish touches like black wheels exterior and amber stitching inside.
All costs beneath embody the $1,295 vacation spot cost. All trims additionally come customary with front-wheel drive.
LX: $25,395LX AWD: $26,895Sport: $26,945Sport AWD: $28,445EX-L: $28,945EX-L: $30,445
What are the HR-V security scores and driver help options?
Each 2024 HR-V contains as customary gear ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping help, and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help. It additionally contains rear aspect airbags, which is uncommon. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning are included on the Sport and EX-L.
The NHTSA gave the HR-V five-out-of-five stars for total, frontal and aspect crash safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a High Security Decide+ for its best-possible efficiency in all crash safety and prevention classes plus a sufficiently excessive headlight ranking.