2024 Honda HR-V Evaluation: Smart however in the end simply ‘wonderful’

2024 Honda HR-V Review: Sensible but ultimately just 'fine'

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Execs: Excessive-end cabin; it’s mainly a giant Civic; high security scores; Honda dependability and resale

Cons: Gradual, even by phase requirements, with out a gasoline economic system bonus; no sporty or outdoorsy trim ranges

The 2024 Honda HR-V is seemingly the best-selling SUV in the USA for first-time automobile 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 house, high security scores and carries Honda’s well-earned repute for reliability and resale. As easy, reliable transportation for these wanting to sit down up a bit increased and luxuriate in some versatility, the HR-V will get the job accomplished.

It seems like there’s a “however” coming right here, doesn’t it? There’s! Whereas the HR-V is definitely wise, it’s also awfully boring. Different subcompact SUVs provide distinctive model and cater to sure niches with sporty or off-road-flavored variants. Briefly, they’ve extra character. Then, with uncommon exception, they’re extra participating to drive and have stronger engines. The HR-V is without doubt one of the slowest vehicles on the market and it completely feels it. Worse, it doesn’t counteract that with above-average gasoline economic system. Even its utility is mid-pack – the cargo space isn’t as spacious as its cargo quantity suggests and there aren’t any roof rails out there to develop its versatility.

Mainly, the HR-V could also be a good selection, however it’s in any other case simply wonderful. We’d sooner advocate others within the phase, 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 an extended checklist, however that speaks to the place the HR-V sits within the pecking order.

Inside & Expertise   |   Passenger & Cargo House   |   Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system

What it is prefer to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Ranges   |   Crash Scores & 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 heart console lined in soft-touch pleather that makes its method from the final HR-V (albeit up to date), the remainder of the cabin’s good-looking design and above-average supplies are largely consistent with the Honda Civic. That’s an incredible factor. The obvious Civic cue is the wheel-to-door air vent plated by a metal-look honeycomb sample. There might come a day when Honda overuses this design aspect however, for now, it’s distinctive. You’ll be able to learn our deep dive evaluation 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 heart console, and the range-topping EX-L trim degree will get wi-fi charging to go together with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Wired variations come normal.   

How large is the HR-V?

The HR-V is each greater and roughly the identical dimension because the SUV it replaces, which is complicated, and if you wish to know the way and why, we dig into that in our HR-V first drive evaluation. In the end, although, the HR-V grew to satisfy the brand new, greater subcompact normal met by virtually the whole lot else within the phase. Passenger house is among the many greatest within the group, and together with the Taos, Trax and Envista, is without doubt one of the extra household pleasant in consequence.

When it comes to cargo house, there’s 24.4 cubic toes of cargo house (mainly 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 troublesome to load baggage inside and reduces performance in comparison with not solely these more-voluminous-on-paper opponents, 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 because of a well engineered, multi-hinged seat backside that dips down into the footwell. No dual-level cargo flooring needed.

What are the HR-V gasoline 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 related to a constantly variable transmission. Entrance- and all-wheel drive can be found. Its output is beneath common for the phase – a lot of which supply much more highly effective upgrades.

EPA-estimated gasoline 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 prefer 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 opponents. That’s contains the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which have related on-paper 0-60 occasions because the HR-V, however in the end really feel a lot faster. The HR-V is sluggish and it feels sluggish. The CVT does a superb 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. Do you have to need to hustle issues alongside, the Sport mode doesn’t actually reside as much as its billing, because it’s too desperate to upshift. There aren’t any paddle shifters out there.

Past the powertrain, the driving expertise is impressively refined for the phase. Maybe it’s the varied current-generation CR-V bits and items within the suspension, however it does have a extra substantial, refined really feel. Physique roll is stored in respectable examine and the steering is persistently weighted with commendable response. The ratio is noticeably slower than the Civic’s, although, and dealing by a winding mountain street required extra turning angle than anticipated. That is in distinction to the extra energetic, participating Mazda CX-30 and Chevy Trax. There’s positively 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 aren’t any roof rails, both.

What different Honda HR-V critiques 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 adjustments had been made (and why there isn’t any turbocharged engine).

 

Honda HR-V Baggage Check

The HR-V underwhelms relating to hauling stuff, particularly in comparison with its ultra-versatile predecessor. 

 

Honda HR-V EX-L Inside Evaluation

Taking a deep dive into the top-of-the-line EX-L inside, together with its supplies high quality, storage, expertise and house. 

 

Honda HR-V vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which is best?

We check out two of the best-sellers within the phase, evaluating specs and our separate impressions of them. In the end, although, we advocate of us 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. Nevertheless, as we’ve acknowledged above, the HR-V has notable demerits or at the very least comes up brief. It’s additionally essential to name out the Chevy Trax and Buick Envista, which value significantly much less.

In contrast to a few of these rivals, there aren’t any particular trim ranges to name out that provide sportier seems to be or driving dynamics, or off-road-themed variations that acquire additional floor clearance and performance for carrying outside journey gear. The HR-V Sport comes shut, however it’s actually simply the mid-grade trim with some sporty-ish touches like black wheels outdoors and amber stitching inside.

All costs beneath embrace 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 scores and driver help options?

Each 2024 HR-V contains as normal gear 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 contains rear aspect 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 general, frontal and aspect crash safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a High Security Decide+ for its best-possible efficiency in all crash safety and prevention classes plus a sufficiently excessive headlight score.

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