The CR-V, Pilot, and Passport may get most of the attention in the Honda SUV lineup, but the entry-level HR-V offers plenty to like. The crossover SUV enters its second generation for the 2023 model year and gets all-new styling, revised tech, improved safety features, and a larger engine. Those things should help the subcompact HR-V stay afloat in a sea of increasingly competitive rivals.
Honda offers the HR-V in three trim levels for 2023: LX, Sport, and EX-L. All variants get the same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, but Honda offers styling changes to differentiate between trims. Including the $1,245 destination charge, pricing for the new SUV starts at just shy of $25,000 for the base LX front-wheel-drive (FWD) trim and climbs to $30,195 for the top EX-L trim with all-wheel drive (AWD).
The new HR-V’s styling is a departure from the rounded shape of the previous-generation model. Honda says the new HR-V is 2.6 inches wider and 9.4 inches longer, but the most noticeable changes come at the front end. The new SUV features a stretched hexagonal grille with a honeycomb insert that varies in finish depending on the trim. The LX trim comes with a matte grille, the Sport gets more aggressive grille meshing, and the top EX-L gets a gloss-black insert.
The HR-V LX and EX-L ride on 17-inch wheels, while the middle Sport trim gets 18-inch gloss-black wheels. Honda focused on the details with the new model, adding hidden windshield wipers beneath the hood line, and a unique roof design negates the need for roof moldings.
With the 2023 HR-V, Honda followed the formula it set out with the 2022 Civic. The result is a clean, modern interior with new tech, excellent outward visibility, and interesting details. Honda says it paid particular attention to all the HR-V’s controls and switches to make them feel premium with the right amount of heft and click. The center console curves outward to meet the dash on either side, and Honda hid the air vents inside a long metal grate feature, just like in the Civic.
Body-stabilizing seats come standard, and Honda says they can reduce fatigue and increase comfort on long drives. The wider HR-V offers better back-seat space, with more room for three passengers. Honda also added better small-item storage in the back with cubbies and compartments for items like smartphones.
More passenger space is not the only benefit of the HR-V’s enlarged exterior proportions. Its cargo area now measures 24.4 cubic feet in all trims, and the load deck is just 27 inches tall. That should make loading and unloading heavy, oversized items much easier, and the folding rear seatbacks open the space further to 55.1 cubic feet. A wave pattern in the cargo area helps hide scratches and damage from hauling gear.
The outgoing HR-V featured a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine making 141 horsepower, but Honda gave the new 2023 SUV a larger, more powerful engine. The engine now checks in at 2.0 liters and produces 158 hp and 138 pound-feet of torque—increases of 17 hp and 11 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission remains the only choice, but Honda says it reprogrammed the gearbox to be more responsive and engaging. The transmission also features simulated shift points when accelerating hard.
Though far from Honda’s most rugged SUV, the 2023 HR-V is the first model in the brand’s lineup to feature hill-descent control. Drivers can choose a speed between 2 and 12 mph and set the system to maintain the pace. The SUV comes standard with FWD, but AWD is available. Honda says it revised the system with more rear bias, so more torque reaches the rear wheels in slippery conditions.
Improvements under the skin include MacPherson struts and a new multi-link rear suspension system that uses low-friction components for a smoother ride. Honda revised the SUV’s steering column as well; it features altered tuning the automaker says improves straight-line stability and confidence.
The HR-V gets a new single-camera Honda Sensing system cribbed from the new Civic. Honda says the camera alone offers a 100-degree field of vision, improving on the previous camera-radar combo. The system can recognize vehicles and pedestrians, tell the difference between yellow and white lines, detect curbs and other boundaries, and offers bicyclist detection. Honda Sensing also includes a traffic jam assist function and traffic sign recognition. Existing safety tech like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance get updates for 2023 that, according to Honda, bring better and more natural vehicle responses.
Advanced safety tech aside, Honda made structural improvements to the 2023 HR-V, including a new version of its vehicle architecture that reduces weight while meeting current and future collision standards. The automaker claims that high-grade steel and structural adhesives help improve strength and rigidity while reducing weight.
The new HR-V comes standard with a digital gauge cluster—a first for the SUV. Honda split the display between virtual and physical components, including a digital speedometer and tachometer on the left and a physical speedometer on the right. A 7-inch driver display lives in the middle and offers safety alerts, vehicle speed, maintenance information, and more.
A 7-inch touchscreen is standard for the LX and Sport trims. After massive consumer and critical pushback over its decision to remove the volume knobs from some of its models, Honda added the knob back shortly thereafter. It remains a “feature” today and is one that the automaker proudly touts as part of its basic infotainment system. The EX-L trim gets a 9-inch touchscreen that brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and eight speakers. Honda added a 0.8-inch finger rest to improve stability and aim while poking at the screen in motion.
The 2023 Honda HR-V competes with the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Mazda CX-30, and more. The new Honda compares well against similar models from Hyundai and Kia, as its base engine aligns with the 2.0-liter unit found there. However, the Korean automakers offer upgraded engines, with Hyundai’s hottest Kona reaching 280 hp. The Mazda CX-30 is more upscale and engaging to drive than previous HR-Vs, so it will be interesting to see how the new model stacks up against what has been one of the most compelling drivers’ models in its segment.
Honda is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of June 7, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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