2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L test drive review

Everything in Honda’s lineup is great right now. From the award-winning Civic and its performance variants to the recently redesigned seven-seat Pilot, it’s a good time to be a Honda fan. When Honda dropped off its new generation of HR-V in my driveway, We were immediately struck by its styling and ultra-compact design. It looked cool, and even faintly exotic (faintly). If it was anything like the new Civic, we knew we were going to love it. Well, good news: It is and we do. If you’ve been looking for a compact car that does the daily driving routine well, then the Honda HR-V should definitely be on your shortlist. Shop HR-V listings

Price and value 

In a world where the average new car price is about $48,000, the loaded 2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L tester we had was a huge bargain. The MSRP range for the 2023 Honda HR-V is truly budget-friendly, ranging from $23,800-$27,900. It is available in three trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a 158-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, Honda Sensing and Apple CarPlay. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.

• LX: $23,800 See listings

Apple CarPlay 

Honda Sensing

Cloth seats 

• Sport: $25,900 See listings

Heated front seats 

Leather-wrapped steering wheel 

6-speaker audio system

• EX-L: $27,900 See listings

Parking sensors 

8-way adjustable driver seat

8-speaker audio system

The 2023 Honda HR-V is an excellent value, especially in the top EX-L trim. For only $4,000 more than the base model (which is still a decent value at just under $24,000), you get a lot of nice features, technology, upgraded visual cues and creature comforts. It’s the trim we’d pick, no question. Honda’s warranty is about on par with the industry average, offering a limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles and complimentary maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Performance 

Let’s get this out of the way: The HR-V is not a performance machine by any stretch. It’s one of the pokiest driving experiences we’ve had since, well, maybe ever. But, it does everything else really well, and those pros far outweigh this one con.

Power comes from a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine (why the turbocharged 4-cylinder from the Civic isn’t used here is an unfortunate mystery), producing a paltry 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. As you can guess, acceleration is less than riveting and requires some planning ahead when merging and passing on the freeway. Car and Driver clocked its 0-60 mph time in 9.4 seconds, a full four seconds slower than its hot rod sibling, the Civic Type-R. To its credit, the HR-V handles pretty well. Steering feel is confident and controlled, if a bit heavy, and we had fun tossing it around corners. Its relatively lightweight and compact size gives the HR-V a slightly chuckable feeling, which we always enjoy. 

The upside of its barebones powerplant is pretty good fuel economy. In our week of testing, we averaged 27 mpg, which is exactly the estimated fuel economy from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

We’re not usually fans of CVTs, but this one was well-suited to HR-V’s lethargic tendencies. The all-wheel-drive system worked well on slippery surfaces, and we can imagine it being a tank in the snow — especially when fitted with winter tires. The Civic’s 180-horsepower turbocharged engine would be a perfect (and much desired) fit here. Fingers crossed Honda grants our wish.

Interior comfort and convenience 

As with the rest of Honda’s current lineup, the HR-V boasts a clean, simple and spacious interior. It’s beautiful to look at and should age gracefully. The materials look and feel high-quality, and the EX-L’s leather-appointed seats dress up the interior in a way that visually belies its economical price tag.

If there is a letdown in the interior, it’s the bottom cushion of the front seats. It’s almost lunch tray hard, but at least the side bolsters and other cushions do a nice job of hugging you in. Other than that nitpick, the HR-V is a genuinely nice place to spend time, and we can see it being a near-perfect commuter. It’s small but never feels claustrophobic, and there’s plenty of room in the rear for two adults or children in child seats. The rear does lack air vents and charging ports, though.

Cargo space is better than expected, thanks to the generous-for-its-size hatch space. Fold the rear seats down and you’ll have plenty of room for hauling gear, a bike or your largest wholesale club runs. The slightly higher seating position is excellent, and we found it easy to get in and out of, making it appealing for children and older folks alike. 

The infotainment system is also excellent. The 9.0-inch touchscreen display that comes on the EX-L trim looks great and boasts wireless Apple CarPlay — a feature commonly absent on vehicles much more expensive. We only wish it were able to fold into the dash, as it does sit quite proud atop it, muddying an otherwise clean view out the front windshield.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

As subcompact crossovers go, the Honda HR-V is among the more stylish entries in the segment, especially in its Nordic Forest Pearl paint. The front end even has a slightly exotic look to it, almost like a baby Lamborghini Urus. It’s a cool, modern and sporty look, which should appeal to a variety of buyers. Other paint colors include Crystal Black Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Milano Red.

The EX-L trim also brings front and rear parking sensors, which were helpful even with such a small car. LED headlights with automatic high beams, a rearview camera and 17-inch wheels are standard on the EX-L. Browse HR-V listings

Safety 

The HR-V might be small, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t tough. In fact, it boasts some of the best safety ratings in the segment. While it hasn’t been tested as of this writing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award. In addition, Honda’s five-star safety reputation with Civic and the previous generation HR-V only bolsters our confidence in its ability to do well in an accident.

Features 

Here are just some of the safety features included in the 2023 Honda HR-V EX-L.

• Adaptive cruise control

• Collision mitigation braking system

• Lane keeping assist system

• Road departure mitigation

• Traffic jam assist

• Blind spot information with rear cross traffic monitor

• Driver attention monitor

For a full list of safety features visit Honda.

Final impression 

The 2023 Honda HR-V is a great little car. Its ability to check nearly every box makes for a compelling case as to why you would buy anything else. Its well-appointed and classy interior is comfortable, with all you need and most of what you could want. The hatch adds utility you can’t find in a sedan. It looks cool and gets great gas mileage. It’s loaded with tech and even offers wireless Apple CarPlay in the EX-L trim. It’s decently fun to drive and handles well. 

The only downside is the power. It’s slow and desperately needs a shot (or three) of caffeine. However, if you’re OK with its poky engine, the HR-V makes for an excellent daily driver all at a very affordable price, even when loaded up with options. Because of this excellent value play, the EX-L trim is the way to go. Go and drive one, you won't be disappointed. Just be prepared to mash your foot to the floor. A lot.

Find a Honda HR-V on KSL Cars today.

FAQs

Is it fun to drive? 

Yes and no. Its small size and good handling characteristics make for a good time around town. But, the engine acts totally exhausted most of the time. It’s quite lethargic, and you have to coax it and give it plenty of time before it is willing to get up to your desired speed. 

Is it good for families? 

If you’re not hauling a lot of stuff around, then it could work for brief around town errands. It’s probably not the ideal family car though, given its compact space and limited cargo and storage space.

KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com