2023 Honda HR-V: Improved But Not Groundbreaking

The Honda HR-V originally debuted in 2016 as a smaller and cheaper alternative to the immensely popular CR-V and one of the first subcompact crossovers on the market. Anyone who has ever stepped inside knows that it’s way more spacious than its diminutive footprint suggests.

Honda has made a few updates to the HR-V over the years—minor stuff but enough to keep it relevant. The second generation, which was previously expected to arrive for 2022, is now reaching dealerships across Canada as a 2023 model.

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How good is it? We took one unit out for a spin in the Greater Montreal area and you can find our first impressions below.

New Architecture and Engine

Once built on the same platform as the late Fit, the new 2023 Honda HR-V rides on the automaker’s enhanced global architecture that combines the best of the CR-V platform with the latest Civic platform.  It also shares its engine with the latter, namely a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that replaces the old 1.8-litre mill. Output is rated at 158 hp along with 138 lb-ft. of torque, representing an increase of 17 hp and 11 lb-ft., respectively. Not bad.

Of course, there is no manual gearbox to choose from now, the lone option being a continuously variable transmission. It’s not the best in the business, either. In fact, we found it to be rather annoying at times. If you’re not in a hurry, you’ll be fine, but don’t think of the new HR-V as a little bundle of dynamite.

While it won’t knock your socks off, the 2.0-litre engine proves to be an efficient performer. Honda claims a combined rating of 8.3 L/100 km in FWD configuration and 8.7 L/100 km in AWD configuration. We drove the HR-V mostly around town for more than 150 km and it returned an average of 9.2 L/100 km.

Just so we’re clear, there is no other engine on the menu. A hybrid variant would have been nice, as is the case with the equally new 2023 CR-V, but that’s not happening. Too bad.

Redesigned Interior

The original HR-V stood out with an amazingly spacious interior, and the new one is no different. There is ample headroom and legroom in the second row. On the other hand, Honda made the curious move of eliminating the so-called Magic Seat, which provided a ton of versatility and further separated the HR-V from the competition. The trunk is still one of the largest in the segment with up to 691 litres of cargo room.

Up front, you will feel like you’re in familiar territory if you’ve previously sat in the latest Civic. The HVAC controls are the same and so is the metal honeycomb mesh accent that stretches from door to door and conceals the air vents. A 7- or 9-inch touchscreen (depending on the trim level) takes centre stage and brings some colour to the otherwise dark environment.

Big Dollars

There’s no such thing as a cheap Honda anymore. The 2023 HR-V carries a base MSRP of $28,730, an increase of about $2,500 from the outgoing model. Add $2,210 for an all-wheel drive model. The top-line Sport and EX-L NAVI start at $33,930 and $37,130, respectively. That’s a heck of a lot of money for an SUV of this size, especially with just 158 ponies under the hood.

The HR-V has always been a sensible purchase in the segment, though not an exciting one. Change was in order, and customers will appreciate the sharp new exterior, stronger engine and more modern tech. We also anticipate the HR-V to maintain its solid reputation for reliability.

Watch: 2023 Honda HR-V is Radically Transformed