2021 Honda HR-V Review

　　

2021 Honda HR-V Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Honda HR-V has been on the extra-small SUV scene since 2016 and has made a name for itself as a value-packed vehicle with a clever folding back seat (Honda calls it the "Magic Seat") and a comfortable ride. Honda hasn't done much to change the HR-V over the past five years, and as a result, some of its competition has muscled in on its turf.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) - $21,020 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $22,520 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $22,970 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $24,470 MSRPEX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $24,220 MSRPEX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $25,720 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $25,820 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $27,320 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT) - $29,340 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The all-new and ultra-stylish Mazda CX-30 brings some real premium flair to the class, while Kia offers both the Soul and its new Seltos as feature-rich competitors. This once sparsely populated class also has competitive entries from Hyundai, Buick and Fiat, all of whom have had time to catch up to the HR-V's early dominance. The HR-V is in need of an update, but does it still have enough practicality and value to fend off its rivals? Read our Expert Review to get an in-depth take on the 2021 HR-V.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the HR-V drive? 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 thanks 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, and the HR-V displays a good sense of balance.

　　The engine and transmission, however, are always underwhelming, leading to a less rewarding driving experience. 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, during short freeway merges, or if you need to floor it to pass someone quickly. At the zzdcar test track, 0-60 mph took 10.4 seconds — one of the longer times in the segment.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the HR-V? 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. The noise gets downright loud and whiny, and it is accompanied by vibration if you floor it. It's even noticeable when accelerating around town.

　　Once you're up to speed, though, the seats and ride quality are relatively good. The touchscreen climate control suffers from some usability issues, but the system controls cabin temps very well. The HR-V is certainly comfortable enough for a road trip.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The HR-V's interior is one of its best features, with plenty of room for adults to spread out in the front or back row. The driving position is good due to lots of adjustability. Forward and side visibility is excellent thanks to well-placed and slim front pillars, a low dashboard, and a large windshield and windows. Rear visibility is good, and the HR-V's blind spot is very small thanks to large rear windows.

　　Many controls are easy to understand and operate, and we like the array of buttons on the steering wheel. But we are not fans of the touchscreen audio and climate control systems. The main touchscreen finally has a volume knob, but otherwise simple tasks require distracting glances and manipulation of the touchscreens.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? 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 Sport and above trim levels. The voice controls and standard touchscreen controls are weak spots on an otherwise tech-friendly car.

　　In the EX and above trim levels, the HR-V includes Honda Sensing, which is Honda's suite of safety aids. Those include 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.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? 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. Cargo capacity is beat slightly by the Kia Soul (by only 0.2 cubic foot) but it's still excellent at 23.2 cubic feet, or 55.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded — much more than the Mazda CX-3 or Jeep Renegade. Car seat accommodation is good thanks to a big back seat, but getting a seat secured isn't as simple as we'd like.

　　Small-item storage, however, is not impressive. 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 small and hard to see and reach. The cupholders are merely average.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The HR-V does pretty well at the pump for a subcompact SUV with all-wheel drive. It's rated at 28 mpg combined (26 city/31 highway), which is above average for this class of vehicle.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the HR-V a good value? For the money, the HR-V offers a lot of equipment, but savvy buyers may upgrade to a larger vehicle, such as Honda's own CR-V, for a similar price. The HR-V's warranty and cost of ownership are average for the class, with a few rivals offering longer warranties and the first scheduled maintenance for free. Fuel economy is good but no longer class-leading.

　　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 the Kia Soul offer a more pleasing aesthetic, but you're not likely to feel like you're driving a cheaply built car.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　It won't stand out in a parking lot or wow your friends when you pull up to the softball game, but the Honda HR-V is pretty fun to drive relative to its size and price. For a bit more personality or style, we recommend competitors such as the Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul or Mazda CX-3.

　　

Which HR-V does zzdcar recommend?

We like the EX for its mix of features and value. It's also the least expensive trim level to come standard with Honda's suite of advanced driver aids. Added to that you get a sunroof, heated seats and keyless entry for only a few thousand dollars more than the base LX.

　　

2021 Honda HR-V models

The 2021 Honda HR-V is offered in four trims: LX, Sport, EX and EX-L. All trim levels have the availability of all-wheel drive and are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 127 lb-ft of torque) mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

　　LX

　　Keeps thing basic with:

　　17-inch alloy wheels 5-inch infotainment touchscreen LED brake and daytime running lights One USB port Sport

　　Adds features and style with:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Roof rails Foglights Paddle shifters Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob 7-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Two USB ports Gloss black exterior trim EX

　　Includes a few nice-to-have features, such as:

　　Keyless ignition and entry Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Sunroof Heated front seats HD and satellite radio Honda's suite of advanced driver aids, known as Honda Sensing, is standard on the EX and EX-L trims. It includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the HR-V and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the HR-V back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) EX-L

　　Tops the range by adding:

　　Leather seating surfaces Upgraded 180-watt audio system Auto-dimming rearview mirror

　　

2021 HR-V Highlights

Trim: LXSportEXEX-LTouringLX

　　

Base MSRP	$21,020
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