2023 Honda HR-V: 5 execs and cons

• I examined the 2023 Honda HR-V, the latest model of Honda’s smallest SUV.
• Its fashionable appears and roomy inside stand out, however it’s sluggish acceleration is a ache level.
• The highest-of-the-line HR-V EX-L that Honda lent me got here out to $30,590, together with a vacation spot payment.

Honda has given its HR-V a radical redesign for the 2023 mannequin yr, injecting some additional measurement and class into its smallest SUV. 

However the widespread compact SUV phase is extra packed than ever. All people from Toyota to Hyundai to Chevrolet is vying for the cash in your pockets.

The second-generation HR-V delivers fashionable appears and a pretty inside, however its wimpy freeway efficiency drags it down. 

Professional: Trendy inside and outside

The brand new HR-V dumps its predecessor’s stubby proportions and quirks in favor of a easy, fashionable, and in the end extra high-end look. The 2023 mannequin appears extra like a full-grown SUV than a wannabe. 

It is engaging inside, too, that includes plenty of delicate surfaces and a good-looking honeycomb sample (fabricated from precise steel) working down its sprint. One good contact: There is a pass-through within the heart console that provides each the motive force and passenger entry to a phone-storage spot and USB port.

The cabin of the top-trim EX-L mannequin I examined (which got here out to simply over $30,000) had upscale appointments like heated leather-based seats, an upgraded 9-inch touchscreen, and a wi-fi cellphone charger. 

Con: Sluggish on the freeway

To make certain, no one is shopping for a small SUV for its zero-to-60-mph time. Nonetheless, it is price noting that the HR-V is considerably sluggish at excessive speeds. Stomp the fuel to make a go at 60 mph, and the HR-V will do a whole lot of groaning and never an excessive amount of accelerating. 

All HR-Vs are powered by a 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine. 

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Professional: Roomy inside

The brand new HR-V shares a chassis with the Civic sedan fairly than the pint-sized Match hatchback (which has been canceled within the US). It is now considerably longer and wider, and which means a roomier again seat. 

With the motive force’s seat in its pure place for me (at round six ft tall), I used to be in a position to slot in the again seat simply fantastic. And I discovered all of the HR-V’s seats decently comfy. 

Con: No extra Magic Seat

The previous HR-V (and Match) had intelligent flip-up seat bottoms that permit homeowners stow massive and tall objects on the ground of the again seat. The brand new mannequin lacks that characteristic however has rear seats that fold fully flat for bulkier cargo. 

Professional: Beneficiant security options and driver aids

All HR-Vs include ample security and driver-assistance tech as a part of the Honda Sensing suite. It contains road-departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise management. All however the base mannequin include blind-spot monitoring as effectively.