2019 Honda HR-V Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What's new

Refreshed front and rear stylingNew Sport and Touring trim levelsNew center screen system with Apple CarPlay and Android AutoHonda Sensing suite adds multiple available safety featuresPart of the first HR-V generation introduced for 2016

　　By the very nature of their size, subcompact crossover SUVs can't offer the practical benefits as larger SUVs. Check the spec sheets and you'll find that many don't even have as much cargo space as similarly priced compact hatchbacks. The 2019 Honda HR-V is one vehicle that does a great job of overcoming its size limitations, however. A thoughtful interior layout that includes the second-row Magic Seat that can flip up so you can carry tall items gives the HR-V more passenger room and greater storage space than others in the class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$124/mo  for HR-V LX

　　HR-V LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $20,620 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $22,020 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $22,320 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $23,720 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $23,820 MSRPEX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $25,220 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $25,420 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $26,820 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $28,640 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Honda has also made improvements this year. New front and rear styling cues differentiate the 2019 HR-V from the last year, but you'll probably more interested in the expanded list of features. This includes a volume knob (the car had an annoying-to-use touch-sensitive volume slider before) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality for the 7-inch touchscreen. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver safety features is another new addition for EX trims and above. Shoppers looking for additional luxuries will be pleased with the new Touring trim, which bolsters the HR-V with LED headlights and foglights, alongside a power-adjustable driver seat and navigation system.

　　Unfortunately, The HR-V's underpowered engine is the same for 2019. Though fuel-efficient, the HR-V is slow and noisy when you mash the gas. Honda has also discontinued the manual transmission. We doubt many people were opting for it, but it helped make the most of the HR-V's available power. Overall, though, the HR-V's exceptional utility makes this pint-sized Honda a top pick in the class.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.6 / 10

　　Shoppers looking for a subcompact crossover with lots of useful cargo space can begin and end their search with the 2019 Honda HR-V. Thanks to a configurable rear seat, the HR-V makes the most of its small size. Notable improvements for the 2019 model year make the HR-V even easier to recommend.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Honda HR-V Touring (1.8L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.6 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	7.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　If the HR-V had a bit more power, it would get a very high score in this segment. The steering and handling are top-notch, and the brakes perform well in everyday use. The engine and transmission, however, are always underwhelming, leading to a less rewarding driving experience.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　The Honda HR-V's 1.8-liter engine is reasonably equipped to handle routine driving on flat ground. But it can feel stressed on long grades, or if you need to floor it to pass someone quickly. Zero to 60 mph at the zzdcar test track took 10.4 seconds — one of the longer times in the segment.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　Brake feel is adequate with a pedal that's easy to control and has a decent amount of travel. At the zzdcar test track, the HR-V did a simulated panic stop from 60 mph in 121 feet — average for the class.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The steering is well-weighted, with a good amount of assist to get you through corners or quick lane change maneuvers. There's an above-average amount of feedback for a car in this class, too, which makes the HR-V enjoyable to drive on curvy roads. Navigating tight parallel-parking spots is a breeze.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　Thanks in part to the good steering but also to a well-tuned suspension, the HR-V handles well and can put a smile on your face on curvy roads. Body roll is kept to a minimum, it displays a good sense of balance, and there's plenty of stability if you happen to hit a bump in the middle of a corner.

　　

Drivability

6.5

　　The HR-V is well-suited to low-demand city driving and relaxed freeway cruising, but it can be flummoxed by common scenarios such as short freeway on-ramps, long uphill grades, or even an aggressive driving style. Low engine power and a continuously variable automatic transmission tuned for fuel economy result in sluggish power delivery in such high-demand situations.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　Getting up to speed is not a comfortable part of the HR-V ownership experience because of the raucous noise from the underpowered 1.8-liter engine. Once you're there, though, the seats and ride quality are relatively good. Climate control suffers from some usability issues, but the system controls cabin temps very well.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The front seats strike a good balance between support and comfort. Exceptionally tall drivers might have trouble finding the perfect seating position — there isn't much thigh support up front. The rear seats are flat and firm but relatively comfortable.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The HR-V is comfortable on the road. Reasonably sized wheels and tires help soak up the smaller bumps, while a compliant suspension does the work of taking on the bigger stuff. The HR-V is certainly comfortable enough for a road trip.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.0

　　Highway cruising in the HR-V is accompanied by reasonably low levels of wind and road noise that are easy to ignore. But engine noise is noticeable when accelerating around town, and the noise gets downright loud and whiny when you floor it.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　While the touchscreen-style climate controls are cumbersome to use when the vehicle is in motion, the system itself does a very efficient job of heating or cooling the cabin. The two-level heated front seats work well, but the heating elements time out after a short period and cool down.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The HR-V's interior is one of its best features, with plenty of room to spread out for adults in the front or back row. The driving position is good thanks to lots of adjustability. But interior ease of use is compromised by touchscreen interfaces.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　Many controls are easy to understand and operate. But we are not fans of the touchscreen audio and climate control systems. Many simple tasks require distracting glances and manipulation of the touchscreens.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　Because of the slope of the rear doorline, you have to duck a bit in the back seat. The front seat is no problem at all. The seats in both rows are at a good height to slide in for adults. The rear exterior door handle is a bit funky and hard to find if it's your first time getting in.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The tilt-and-telescoping steering column has plenty of range of adjustment for drivers of average size, as does the driver's seat. Elbow rests are close by, and major cabin controls are easy to reach from the driver's seat.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　There's enough headroom and legroom for adults in all four of the main seating positions. Larger drivers may want a bit more space, but that's common in this class. In fact, the HR-V does better than most when it comes to roominess. The rear seats are definitely large enough for two adults or three kids in a squeeze.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　Forward and side visibility is excellent thanks to well-placed and slim front pillars, a low dashboard, and a big windshield and windows. The HR-V's blind spots are very small thanks to large rear windows. The right-side blind spot is also covered well by the LaneWatch blind-spot camera on EX-and-above trim levels.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The inside of the HR-V is a well-built and attractive place. There are a few cheap plastics in the cabin if you look hard enough, and competitors such as the Mazda CX-3 and Kia Soul offer a more pleasing aesthetic. But you're not likely to feel like you're driving a cheaply built car.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　The HR-V is the class leader when it comes to cargo space, both with the rear seats up and with them folded. And that folding rear seat is unlike no other. Small-item storage, however, is not impressive. Car seat accommodation is good thanks to a big back seat, but getting the seats secured isn't as simple as we'd like.

　　

Small-item storage

7.0

　　There isn't much space in the center console or in the doors for any of your small items. There are some interesting under-console storage areas, but they're hard to see and reach and they're small. Cupholders are merely average.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　Cargo capacity is excellent at 23.2 cubes, or 55.9 cubes with the rear seats folded — much more than the Mazda CX-3 or the Jeep Renegade. Beyond the numbers, though, the HR-V excels because its fold-flat and flip-up Magic Seat rear seats are extremely useful for all sorts of cargo combinations.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　Thanks to the rear-seat room and the wide opening on the doors, loading a child seat into the HR-V is easy. Bulky rear-facing seats might prompt a front-seat passenger to scoot forward some, though. Lower car seat anchors are easy to locate, but making the connection can be fiddly because they are set a bit deep in the seat cushions.

　　

Technology

7.5

　　The HR-V has some desirable safety features that used to be restricted to more expensive cars. Plus, it gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on EX-and-above trim levels. The voice controls and standard touchscreen controls are weak spots on an otherwise tech-friendly car.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.5

　　The six-speaker stereo in the HR-V has good sound quality for the price, but audiophiles may bemoan the lack of a better option. The navigation system requires very specific commands and has a dated look, but it works just fine and gets you where you want to go once you've got the address dialed in.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.5

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims except the base LX. We used Apple CarPlay during our test, and it connected right away and worked flawlessly. Bluetooth connections took a bit longer but didn't drop off once they were hooked up.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　In EX-and-above trim levels, the HR-V includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, and lane departure mitigation. The systems work relatively well, although adaptive cruise control keeps a pretty long following distance — even on the closest setting.

　　

Voice control

6.5

　　The voice controls in the HR-V are unable to understand natural language and require specific commands that must be learned. Once you get past that hurdle, they do certain tasks well enough. Those with a paired smartphone can hold the voice button longer to access the phone's built-in assistant without taking their hands off the wheel.

　　

Which HR-V does zzdcar recommend?

　　With standard heated front seats, keyless entry and advanced safety equipment, we think the midtier EX gives you the best bang for the buck. It doesn't cost too much more than the base LX, so the numerous added features represent a pretty good value. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the central touchscreen are also included at this level.

　　

2019 Honda HR-V models

　　The 2019 HR-V is the least expensive crossover in Honda's stable, but thanks to the number of features offered, it doesn't have to feel like an econobox special. There are five trim levels available: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring. All three models are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 127 lb-ft of torque) and a CVT automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on all models except the Touring, which comes with the other models' optional all-wheel-drive system.

　　Standard feature highlights for the LX include 17-inch alloy wheels, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat with Honda's Magic Seat feature, a 5-inch central display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port.

　　The Sport adds 18-inch wheels, foglights, roof rails, black-painted exterior trim, active noise cancellation, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, dynamic guidelines for the rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 7-inch touchscreen display and a six-speaker sound system with an additional USB port and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration.

　　The EX trim adds a sunroof, rear privacy glass, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a passenger-side blind-spot camera (Honda's LaneWatch), and satellite and HD radio. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features (forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning and mitigation and adaptive cruise control) is also standard. It does without the Sport's styling features and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.

　　Next up is the EX-L, which comes with leather upholstery, the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Lastly, the range-topping Touring comes with unique wheels, LED headlights and foglights, an eight-way power driver seat and a navigation system with voice recognition

　　

2019 HR-V Highlights

Trim: LXSportEXEX-LTouringLX

　　

Base MSRP	$20,620
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles