The 2023 Honda HR-V, the company's smallest and most affordable SUV, is not only bigger, more powerful, roomier, better equipped - it's also more expensive to run.
Bigger and better
As is usually the case with new generations of vehicles, the 2023 Honda HR-V is bigger. Its wheelbase is 4.3cm longer than before, which Honda says is largely due to the increased rear legroom. Overall, the car is 23.8 cm longer, 6.6 cm wider and a fraction of a cm taller. The reason for this growth is the platform change. No longer based on the discontinued Fit hatchback, the 2023 Honda HR-V now shares a platform with the larger Civic sedan and hatchback.
As much as we loved the old Fit, the new platform is a pretty significant upgrade. Honda really wants you to know that this is not a Civic platform, but a generic platform used by both the Civic and the HR-V. In addition to being larger, this platform also features a new multi-link rear suspension that Honda promises will improve ride comfort and handling over the old torsion beam system. According to many experts, the new Civic handles well, so driving the HR-V should be interesting too.
Honda has yet to reveal how much the new HR-V weighs, but at best it would be difficult to build a significantly larger car with more features and a more sophisticated rear suspension and still weigh less.
More power
The 2023 Honda HR-V four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Civic is now 2.0 liters instead of 1.8. Its power has increased and 160 hp. and 187 Nm, an increase compared to the previous version was 17 hp. and 15 Nm. Given the relatively small increase in power, the noticeable increase in size, and the drop in fuel economy, we don't expect the new HR-V to be any faster than the old model, which took 9.6 seconds to 0-60 when using automatic CVT.
The manual transmission that distinguished the first generation car is gone. Your only choice for front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is a retuned CVT, which Honda says transfers power better. Meanwhile, the optional all-wheel drive system remains unchanged but reprogrammed to send power to the rear wheels faster in slippery conditions.
Became safer
In terms of technology, the 2023 Honda HR-V is now equipped with the latest version of Honda Sensing's active and passive safety technology suite as standard equipment. In addition to features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, that also means every HR-V comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, which most companies charge extra for.
The HR-V also has more standard airbags, including new knee airbags for the front row and side airbags for the second row.
Interior
The interior has also become better. The new dashboard is reminiscent of that of the Civic. A semi-digital, semi-analogue Honda instrument cluster is standard, as is a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with a physical volume control and a few extra hard buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and they go wireless if you upgrade to the 9.0-inch infotainment screen found on more expensive trims.
Honda has made some changes to the center console and armrest. Cup holders are now in front of the shifter instead of behind it, and the optional wireless charger is in a new compartment.
The front seats are new and quite comfortable, but the passenger seat has lost its “chips”. The seat, which used to recline to a horizontal position to rest or accommodate long items, is no longer used. According to Honda, not enough owners have used it to justify its continued use.
In the back row, legroom and shoulder room have increased thanks to the car's increased dimensions, making the 2023 Honda HR-V noticeably roomier for adults than before. Unfortunately, rear passengers of all ages will have to carry long cords or charge their devices before leaving the house: There are no USB ports in the rear.
Thanks to the increase in the car, the trunk volume has increased from 419 to 690 liters.
As a result, it is not surprising that the 2023 Honda HR-V will cost more than the previous model. The base price has increased by $1,780, which seems well worth the extra space, power, and features. The first models will appear at dealers in the near future.
