Professionals: Excessive-end cabin; it’s principally a giant Civic; prime 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 US for first-time automotive patrons in addition to these belonging to Gen Z (one would assume there’s an terrible lot of overlap there). Credit score to these patrons, then, as they’re definitely making a smart buy. The HR-V has a giant, well-made cabin, loads of area, prime security scores and carries Honda’s well-earned popularity for reliability and resale. As easy, reliable transportation for these wanting to sit down up a bit larger and luxuriate in some versatility, the HR-V will get the job finished.
It looks like there’s a “but” coming right here, doesn’t it? There may be! Whereas the HR-V is definitely wise, it is usually awfully boring. Different subcompact SUVs supply 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 among the slowest vehicles 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 out there to increase its versatility.
Principally, the HR-V could also be a good choice, nevertheless it’s in any other case simply fantastic. We’d sooner suggest others within the section, 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 wish 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 expertise like?
Aside from the excessive, floating middle console lined in soft-touch pleather that makes its means 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 awesome factor. The obvious Civic cue is the wheel-to-door air vent plated by a metal-look honeycomb sample. There could 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, 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 normal.
How huge is the HR-V?
The HR-V is each greater and roughly the identical measurement because the SUV it replaces, which is complicated, and if you wish to understand how and why, we dig into that in our HR-V first drive overview. In the end, although, the HR-V grew to satisfy the brand new, greater subcompact normal met by nearly every little thing else within the section. Passenger area is among the many greatest within the group, and together with the Taos, Trax and Envista, is among the extra household pleasant because of this.
By way of cargo area, there’s 24.4 cubic ft 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 rivals, 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 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 economic system and efficiency specs?
There is just one engine and transmission combo out there: a 2.0-liter inline-four good for 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque that’s linked to a constantly variable transmission. Entrance- and all-wheel drive can be found. Its output is under common for the section – lots of which provide 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 wish 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 rivals. That’s consists of the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which have related on-paper 0-60 occasions because the HR-V, however finally really feel a lot faster. The HR-V is sluggish and it feels sluggish. The CVT does 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 wish to hustle issues alongside, the Sport mode doesn’t actually reside as much as its billing, because it’s too desirous to upshift. There are not any paddle shifters out there.
Past the powertrain, the driving expertise is impressively refined for the section. Maybe it’s the assorted current-generation CR-V bits and items within the suspension, nevertheless it 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 a winding mountain highway required extra turning angle than anticipated. That is in distinction to the extra energetic, 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 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 have been made (and why there is not any turbocharged engine).
Honda HR-V Baggage Check
The HR-V underwhelms with regards to hauling stuff, particularly in comparison with its ultra-versatile predecessor.
Honda HR-V EX-L Inside Overview
Taking a deep dive into the top-of-the-line EX-L inside, together with its supplies high quality, storage, expertise 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 suggest people look past these two.
What’s the 2024 HR-V worth?
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 acknowledged 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 value significantly much less.
Not like a few of these rivals, there are not any particular trim ranges to name out that supply sportier seems to be or driving dynamics, or off-road-themed variations that achieve additional floor clearance and performance for carrying out of doors journey gear. The HR-V Sport comes shut, nevertheless 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 normal 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 rankings and driver help options?
Each 2024 HR-V consists of as normal tools 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 consists of rear facet 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 facet 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.
