AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9.0/10
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Safety9.0/10
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PRACTICALITY8.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES7.0/10
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POWER6.0/10
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COMFORT7.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL10.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY9.0/10
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VALUE8.0/10
The Honda HR-V has come a long way since it was first introduced to the North American market eight years ago.
Back then it looked and felt more like a wannabe version of the larger CR-V. Today, thanks to a recent redesign, the 2024 Honda HR-V stands on its own merits, with a roomy and modern cabin, and a stylish exterior.
Styling: 9/10
The third-generation HR-V is longer and wider than the one that came before it, and benefits from a more upscale and refined exterior design. The cabin has a clean look with soft-touch materials throughout, and an eye-pleasing tone-on-tone colour palette. The uncluttered design features easy-to-read instruments and dials, and uncomplicated displays.
Safety: 9/10
The HR-V gets top marks in the safety department. All trims come with a full suite of advanced technologies; however, only the top EX-L Navi comes with front and rear parking sensors and a blind-spot warning system.
The not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award, and the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) handed it the highest five-star overall rating for crashworthiness.
Features: 7/10
All HR-V trims come with the same engine and transmission, while all-wheel drive is included with all but the cheapest version. Automatic climate control is standard (dual-zone in Sport and EX-L Navi trims), and so are heated front seats. All trims come with notable features like a remote engine starter, push-button start, walk-away door locks (lock automatically), and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (The systems are wireless in the top trim.)
The LX has a four-speaker stereo, the Sport gets six, and the EX-L Navi gets eight. Only the Sport and EX-L Navi get a heated steering wheel and a sunroof, and only the latter comes with satellite radio, leather upholstery, a nine-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation (all other trims get a seven-inch screen), and wireless charging.
User Friendliness: 8/10
The HR-V is roomy, comfortable, and fuel-efficient enough to do well as a daily driver, or as a family hauler for the occasional road trip. Typical of Honda, everything works well, the screens are easy to read, and all the knobs and buttons are well-placed and intuitive to use. The only gripe is with the audio system, which doesn’t allow you to store over-the-air and satellite radio stations together in a single favourites menu.
Practicality: 8/10
The HR-V’s seats are firm and supportive, and the rear seats are surprisingly roomy, with ample head- and legroom – unless, of course, you’re an aspiring NBA player. Four average-sized adults should be fine on longer trips, and even the middle rear seat is suitable for shorter trips.
However, the rear seats lack a middle seat-back that can fold down to act as an armrest when the middle seat isn’t needed, and although both rear doors have water bottle holders, no cup holders are available for rear passengers. The HR-V comes with a decent amount of cargo space: 691 L behind the back seats, and 1,559 L with them folded.
Comfort: 7/10
According to Honda, the HR-V is equipped with seats that are designed to “firmly hold the body, reducing fatigue and enhancing comfort on long drives.” That seems about right, because both the front and rear seats are surprisingly comfortable. Cloth upholstery is standard, while the top trim has leather. Heated front seats are standard, although the cheapest trim skips the matching steering wheel.
Power: 6/10
Every HR-V comes with the same powertrain: a 2.0L four-cylinder, and an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The naturally-aspirated engine makes a mere 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. Worse still, the combination can be whiny when pushed.
Driving Feel: 10/10
The HR-V gets top marks for driving feel. What it lacks in power and performance, it makes up in handling and drivability. Easy to manoeuvre and park, it’s a pleasure to drive around town and on the highway. While it doesn’t offer the neck-snapping acceleration needed for aggressive passes, it remains civilized and calm.
Fuel Economy: 9/10
According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the HR-V is rated to burn 9.4 L/100 km in the city, 7.8 on the highway, and 8.7 combined. The base front-wheel-drive version sees those numbers improve slightly. We managed to squeeze an indicated 8.7 L/100 km out of it during this test.
Many of the HR-V’s competitors have similar fuel economy numbers. The Mazda CX-30 is rated for 8.2 L/100 km combined, although the fun-to-drive turbocharged version is a bit thirstier at 9.3. The Volkswagen Taos is rated at 8.8 combined, while the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid tops them all at 5.6.
Value: 8/10
The 2024 HR-V starts at $30,960 (including a $2,000 freight charge) for the base LX-2WD trim. The LX-AWD is priced at $33,260, the Sport at $36,160, and the top-of-the-line EX-L Navi at $39,910. That’s pricier than the Volkswagen Taos, about the same as the Mazda CX-30, and a lot more affordable than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
The Verdict
The 2024 Honda HR-V is roomy, stylish, and a pleasure to drive. Packed with safety features, and with ample room for four or five adults, it won’t make your heart pitter-patter with excitement, but it will get you to where you need to go in comfort.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 9.4 / 7.8 / 8.7 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 691 /1559 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Honda HR-V EX-L Navi |
| Base Price | $37,910 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,000 |
| Price as Tested | $40,788 |
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Optional Equipment
Paint: $300
Protection Package: $478
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