Execs: Excessive-end cabin; it’s mainly a giant Civic; high security scores; Honda dependability and resale
Cons: Gradual, even by phase requirements, and not using a gas financial system bonus; no sporty or outdoorsy trim ranges
The 2024 Honda HR-V is seemingly the best-selling SUV in the US for first-time automotive 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 a giant, 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 increased and luxuriate in some versatility, the HR-V will get the job accomplished.
It appears like there’s a “however” coming right here, doesn’t it? There’s! Whereas the HR-V is actually smart, it’s also awfully boring. Different subcompact SUVs provide distinctive model and cater to sure niches with sporty or off-road-flavored variants. In brief, they’ve extra character. Then, with uncommon exception, they’re extra partaking to drive and have stronger engines. The HR-V is likely one of the slowest vehicles on the market and it completely feels it. Worse, it doesn’t counteract that with above-average gas financial 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 accessible to broaden its versatility.
Mainly, the HR-V could also be a good selection, however it’s in any other case simply superb. We’d sooner suggest others within the phase, a few of which value 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 a protracted record, however that speaks to the place the HR-V sits within the pecking order.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & 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?
Other than the excessive, floating middle console lined in soft-touch pleather that makes its approach from the final HR-V (albeit up to date), the remainder of the cabin’s good-looking design and above-average supplies are largely in line with the Honda Civic. That’s an important 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 factor however, for now, it’s distinctive. You possibly can learn our deep dive evaluate 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 gradual, convoluted and just-plain-old touchscreen. Now, are these screens higher than these of the HR-V’s rivals? No, not likely, 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 middle console, and the range-topping EX-L trim degree will get wi-fi charging to go along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Wired variations come customary.
How large is the HR-V?
The HR-V is each greater and roughly the identical dimension 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 evaluate. In the end, although, the HR-V grew to fulfill the brand new, greater subcompact customary met by nearly the whole lot else within the phase. 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 (mainly 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 troublesome to load baggage inside and reduces performance in comparison with not solely these more-voluminous-on-paper rivals, however others just like the Buick Envista and Subaru Crosstrek. The HR-V does not less than boast a again seat that folds completely flat due to a well engineered, multi-hinged seat backside that dips down into the footwell. No dual-level cargo ground obligatory.
What are the HR-V gas financial system and efficiency specs?
There is just one engine and transmission combo accessible: a 2.0-liter inline-four good for 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque that’s related to a constantly variable transmission. Entrance- and all-wheel drive can be found. Its output is under common for the phase – lots of which supply much more highly effective upgrades.
EPA-estimated gas financial 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 truly decrease than these extra highly effective rivals.
What is the HR-V prefer to drive?
It’s fairly gradual, 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 rivals. That’s contains the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which have related on-paper 0-60 instances because the HR-V, however in the end really feel a lot faster. The HR-V is gradual and it feels gradual. The CVT does a very good 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. Do you have to wish to hustle issues alongside, the Sport mode doesn’t actually reside as much as its billing, because it’s too wanting to upshift. There are not any paddle shifters accessible.
Past the powertrain, the driving expertise is impressively refined for the phase. Maybe it’s the assorted current-generation CR-V bits and items within the suspension, however it does have a extra substantial, refined 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 via a winding mountain street required extra turning angle than anticipated. That is in distinction to the extra vigorous, partaking Mazda CX-30 and Chevy Trax. There’s undoubtedly a sportier model attainable 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 critiques 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 have been made (and why there isn’t any turbocharged engine).
Honda HR-V Baggage Take a look at
The HR-V underwhelms in relation to 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 best?
We check out two of the best-sellers within the phase, evaluating specs and our separate impressions of them. In the end, although, we suggest of us 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 start line, plus these of higher trim ranges, are aggressive with most rivals, together with the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. Nevertheless, as we’ve said above, the HR-V has notable demerits or not less than comes up brief. It’s additionally essential to name out the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which value significantly much less.
In contrast to a few of these rivals, there are not any particular trim ranges to name out that provide sportier appears to be like or driving dynamics, or off-road-themed variations that achieve further floor clearance and performance for carrying outside journey gear. The HR-V Sport comes shut, however it’s actually simply the mid-grade trim with some sporty-ish touches like black wheels exterior and amber stitching inside.
All costs under embody the $1,295 vacation spot cost. All trims additionally come customary with front-wheel drive.
LX: $25,395
LX AWD: $26,895
Sport: $26,945
Sport AWD: $28,445
EX-L: $28,945
EX-L: $30,445
What are the HR-V security scores and driver help options?
Each 2024 HR-V contains as customary tools ahead collision warning, automated 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 general, frontal and aspect crash safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a Prime Security Choose+ for its best-possible efficiency in all crash safety and prevention classes plus a sufficiently excessive headlight ranking.
