2020 Honda HR-V

Honda HRV is one the best offerings in the subcompact SUV segment, primarily due to its perfect middle-ground approach. It is the best jack-of-all-trades, while also being the master of interior space, especially in the rear seats. The performance might not be the best, but for a starting price of $20,520, you can't really complain, can you?

At a starting price of 20 grand, it isn’t too hard on your bank balance too. So, should you go out and splurge money on this little Honda? The competition is fierce in this segment, as every manufacturer wants a piece of the “commuter segment” pie. Does the HRV retain value in the face of competition? Let's move ahead and find out.

The Honda HR-V lets you choose from as many as five variants, prices for which begin at just a little under $21,000. All variants are very well rounded and offer exceptional value for money. While the base LX variants offer features like a multi-angle rearview camera and 5-inch non-touch LCD screens, opting for the top-tier Touring variant will equip your HR-V with power-adjustable seats and a bigger 7-inch touchscreen.

Regardless of the chosen variant, all HR-Vs get a 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder engine that comes mated to a continuously variable transmission also standard across the range. The 1.8-litre engine and CVT work together to send power to either the front wheels or all the wheels of this subcompact crossover.

Model	LX	Sport	EX	EX-L	Touring
MSRP (CVT)	$20,820	$22,520	$23,970	$25,570	$28,890
Key Features	141-hp, 16-Valve SOHC i-VTEC Engine	Features from the LX trim as standard and additional features	Features from the Sport trim as standard and additional features	Features from the EX Trim as standard and additional features	Features from the EX-L trim as standard and additional features
	Available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System	7-Inch Display Audio Touch-Screen	Standard Honda Sensing Safety Suite and	Leather-Trimmed Seats	Standard Real-Time AWD with Intelligent Control System
	5-Inch Color LCD Screen with	Apple CarPlay and	Honda LaneWatch	Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift Knob	Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
	USB Audio Interface and Bluetooth Audio Streaming	Android Auto	17-inch Unique Silver-Painted Alloy Wheels	Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror	Driver's Seat with 8-Way Power Adjustment
	17-Inch Silver-Painted Alloy Wheels	Sport-Exclusive 18-Inch Alloy Wheels	HondaLink Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock	180-Watt Audio System with 6 Speakers and Chrome Speaker Rings	HomeLink Remote System
	60/40 Split 2nd-Row Magic Seat	Sport Mode with Dual-Mode Paddle Shifters and Sport Pedals (Exclusive to Sport Trim)	One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature		Body-Colored Underbody Spoilers
	Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines	Body-Colored Rear Roofline Spoiler with	Heated Front Seats and Push Button Start		LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off and LED Fog Lights
	Halogen Projector-Beam Headlights with LED Taillights	Gloss-Black Underbody Spoilers and
		Roof Rails
		Fog Lights

We recommend:

We would suggest you go with the EX variant because you get more creature comforts at a little price hike.

The Honda HR-V derives power from a 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder engine with Honda’s i-VTEC feature. This engine puts out 141 hp and 127 lb.-ft. torque, which might not seem like a lot but the i-VTEC helps with a punchier performance at higher revs.

Power from the engine can be manipulated to the front wheels of this Honda as standard, while an all-wheel-drive unit is optional across the range. Helping the engine in effortlessly channelling power to the wheels is a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Models	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
MSRP	$20,820	$21,295	$23,240	$22,145
Engine	1.8 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Horizontal-4
Transmission	2-speed CVT w/OD	2-speed CVT w/OD and auto-manual	2-speed CVT w/OD and auto-manual	6-speed manual w/OD
Horsepower	141 hp @6500 rpm	144 hp @ 6100 rpm	141 hp @ 6,000 rpm	152 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	127 lb. ft. @ 4,300 rpm	139 lb. ft. @ 3,900 rpm	147 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm	145 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm

While most other subcompact SUVs make do with a 2.0-litre inline-four, the HR-V gets a smaller 1.8-litre engine. Though at 152 hp the 2.0-litre inline-four of the Subaru Crosstrek is the most powerful.

How fast is the Honda HR-V?

The Honda HR-V is no V8 powered SUV. In fact, it is powered by a humble 1.8-litre engine dynamic enough to make this subcompact capable enough of offering immense practicality but not so much performance. However, the HR-V is no slug.

Yes, the CVT favours efficiency over extravagance, and yes the HR-V takes a while to pick up speed but it surely does, eventually. Moving past the 4000 rpm engages the i-VTEC after which the HR-V starts to feel adequately lively. Though the CVT unit is noisy and tends to get annoying over longer commutes.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
0-60 MPH	9.3 sec	11.0 sec	9.9 sec	9.0 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	18.4 sec	17.5 sec	16.8 sec
Engine	1.8L I-4	2.0L I-4	2.0L I-4	2.0L H-4
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yr)	5.9	6.0	6.3	7.1

Despite having the smallest engine that also makes the least power and torque, the Honda HR-V is the quickest to the 60 mph mark. A lot of it results from the fact that the HR-V is the lightest subcompact SUV in this lineup.

What about the braking performance of the Honda HR-V?

The braking seems very competent when contrasted with the other rivals. The HR-V has good braking and inspires confidence in you.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
Brake front (in.)	11.5	11.8	11.7	11.6
Brake Rear (in.)	11.1	11.1	11.5	10.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2906	3300	3261	3117
60-0 MPH (ft.)	125	N/A	115	N/A

What about its driving dynamics?

The Honda HR-V is based on the Fit hatchback so it carries over driving dynamics that are very similar to it. While the lightly weighted steering wheel and standard suspension make the HR-V remain compliant over most roads, its smaller size means manoeuvring it in city traffic is relatively easy but don’t expect it to soak up harsh bumps.

The HR-V lacks some engine power but it is great for urban commuters who seek above-average fuel economy. The all-wheel-drive variant has a slightly lesser fuel economy.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
MPG (city)	28	27	25	22
MPG (highway)	34	31	32	29
MPG (combined)	30	29	28	25
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)	13.2	13.2	14.5	16.6
Range (city/highway) (miles)	370/449	356/409	363/464	365/481

The jewel of the whole deal is the level of comfort you get inside. It is very copious and has got more legroom than any other car in this segment. You will be amazed by looking at a different type of shapes and sizes that can fit inside a Honda HR-V. The headroom in the rear may get affected because of the sloping roofline.

Model	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	39.5/56.8/41.2	38.1/49.0/43.5	39.6/56.6/42.8	39.8/56.7/43.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	38.3/54.5/39.3	38.3/52.5/31.7	38.3/55.7/33.4	38.0/55.6/36.5

  HR-V’s exterior styling will remind you of the Honda Fit as both of these cars share the same platform. HR-V gets sloping roofline and curved side contours that enhances the sporty look of the crossover. On the other hand, the EX and EX-L Navi trims feature tilting and sliding sunroof over the front seat. The practical add-ons offered by Honda include a rooftop bike carrier and roof-rack crossbars.

Neither too much, nor too less, the dimensions are just typical of the segment to which the 2020  Honda HR-V SUV belongs. The ride boasts a total curb weight of 2888 lbs. It is, therefore, heavier than the Subaru Crosstrek and the Nissan Rogue  but lighter than the Toyota CH-R.

Model	HR-V LX	Toyota CH-R	Nissan Rogue Sport	Subaru Crosstrek
Curb weight(lbs)	2888	3300	2805	2809
Length(in)	169.1	171.2	167.20	168.3
Width(in)	69.8	60.6	69.90	60
Height(in)	63.2	61.6	66.1	60.7
Ground clearance(in)	N/A	5.9	6.2	6.2
Wheelbase(in)	102.8	103.9	100.6	101.2
Track width(in) F/R	60.4/60.6	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6	60/59.9

Exterior Features 

This is apparent by the sweeping rear roof pillar as well as the embedded rear door handles. Main exterior features boasted by the 2020 Honda HR-V SUV include:

• A backup camera
• Arched roofline
• Curved fenders
• Power Moonroof [Optional]
• Rear roof pillar with an upward sweep
• Standard 17-inch alloy wheels

Even the most attentive of drivers can miss things. That's why Honda offers an array of safety and driver-assistive technologies designed to assist and help protect you and your passengers. You get the following safety tech :

• Emergency Braking Assist
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Auto Delay Off Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Front Fog/Driving Lights
• Lane Departure Warning Accident Avoidance System
• Rear-View Camera with Multiple Views

2020 Honda HR-V vs Chevrolet Trax

With an efficient powertrain together with spacious interior and large boot space, the HR-V is otherwise a tad similar to the Chevrolet Trax. But driving dynamics are better in the Japanese SUV and so are the features available in the base model. Priced similarly, the competition is stiff, however, due to Honda’s practicality, it sweeps the Chevy away.

2020 Honda HR-V vs Toyota C-HR

Both these cars are offered by two of the biggest Japanese Auto giants, and both these cars are the finest in the segment. Toyota, however, has a very peculiar exterior design, one which is highly subjective. If you like the looks of the CHR, then you can go for it. The Honda would still be our pick though.

2020 Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3

Another Japanese car shootout, both these cars are neck to neck in all the significant criteria, such as price, power output, and even fuel efficiency. The Mazda is a better performer though, while the Honda has an unmatched amount of space in the cabin. While the CX3 is unmistakably fun, the HRV is too. Overall, the HR-V is a better all-rounder here.

 

Save for the performance, the CR-V aces all the necessary criteria for buyers of these cars. You can easily fit in 5 adults in relative comfort, and arguably better than you can in some premium sedans. It also has a better road presence than a sedan, along with better visibility as well. The final verdict is a no-brainer; go buy!