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The HRV is Honda’s entrant version of Honda company into the subcompact SUV industry. Despite its diminutive size when compared to the CRV, it is built with rugged qualities in mind, allowing it to share the same platform as CRVs.
The 2020 HRV comes with versatility, strong value, and even better, a bit of fun. Optional AWD makes it easy to drive during challenging weather. while the onboard assistant tech helps with maneuvering through difficult traffic. The HRV is a typical subcompact SUV injected with Honda’s reliability.
Pros
- Great fuel economy
- Expansive cargo room
- Spacious leg-room
- Agile and relaxed ride
Cons
- Limited feature options
- Confusing infotainment interface
Is the 2020 Honda HRV a great SUV?
Yes, the HRV is a fantastic subcompact SUV. It’s leading in the class as far as cargo space is concerned, and it comes second in the comparison of capacity. The car has good gas mileage and a sporty handling.
Yet, there are noticeable drawbacks that prevent it from standing out in the crowd. Issues such as weak acceleration, an unrefined powertrain, and complex infotainment systems.
Should I purchase a new or old HRV ?
Honda hasn’t made any major changes in the 2020 model, so you wouldn’t be missing out if you went with the 2019 model, you may even save some money.
The 2019-HRV is also an improvement from the 2016 models. Some of the updates Honda made in 2019 include Touring trims, sport, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the driving assistance tech system. They also improved their Honda touch screen by supplementing it with a physical volume knob.
Since the 2019 model was the first beneficiary of these changes, the 2018 HR-V, 2017 HR-V, and 2016 HR-V are very similar. All of them had a six-speed manual transmission, which changed in 2019.
Honda HR-V Interior
How many people can the HR-V accommodate?
The crossover seats can seat up to five people. HRV has firm cushions, and its front seats are narrow, allowing for sufficient comfort.
Yet, you’ve got to spring for the highest trim level to locate the power-adjustable driver’s seat. The front seat legroom may be uncomfortable for taller drivers and passengers.
People riding in the second row have plenty of legroom to stretch when riding, but the comfort is cut off by the sloping rooftop that limits headspace.
Honda HR-V and kids car seats
The car comes with two sets of LATCH connectors for rear child seats. You can also place the baby’s car seat on the middle seat and use the anchors from both sides.
Although the lower anchors are recessed in the seats, it’s easy to attach them to the straps once you get hold of them. You may confuse other hardware at the back of the seats for the tether anchors, in fact finding the middle tether is even more challenging.
HR-V Interior Quality
Given the price range of the car, the cabin should meet your expectations. Even though there are a few crabby things, the overall design is impressive.
HR-V Cargo Space
This is one of the best qualities of the HRV in the subcompact SUVs category. It comes with 24.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.8 cube feet when the latter is folded.
All cars with wheel-drive have 23.3 cubics behind the back seats. The space behind the first row depends on whether your model has an all-wheel drive and its trim level. Higher all-wheel models come with 55.9 cubic feet, while Lower trims with AWD drive have 57.6 cubic feet.
Honda HRV 2020 comes with a 60/40 split bench back seat and the Honda magic seat feature. If you need more space behind the first row, you can fold up the bottom cushions of the rear seats.
HR-V Infotainment, Navigation, and Bluetooth
HRV’s trim comes with only a few items and a 5-inch audio display. You can upgrade to another interface with a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
One drawback of the HRV is the complex infotainment that takes a while to learn and its virtual buttons that are, at times, hard to press.
However, critics approve of the graphics, and only recommend an improvement in the software.
HR-V Performance
HR-V Engine
Honda HR-V 2020 is powered by a 141-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Although it struggles when it comes to acceleration, it has more than enough juice for cruising around town. And it comes standard with CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission).
HR-V may create uneven power and hampering of acceleration while attempting to gear, which is one of it’s setbacks . The combination of the transmission and engine results in a lot of noise, especially under a throttle.
HR-V Gas Mileage
Its fuel economy compensates all its engine’s inadequacies. With standard front-wheel drive, it gets an EPA estimated 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city. This makes HRV, one of the more efficient nonhybrid subcompact SUVs.
When the HRV is equipped with an all-wheel-drive, it gets 27/31 mpg city/highway.
HR-V Handling and Ride
Thanks to its well-weighted steering, it achieves a very sporty handling. There’s little body roll when taking corners, and the small crossover feels planted on the roads.
It’s ,however, easy to maneuver busy streets, traffic and tight parking lots with HRV.
Although you feel the large potholes and bumps in rough roads, the ride is generally comfortable.
HRV Reliability
Is the Honda HR-V Reliable?
It got a low rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars on reliability from J.D. power
Honda HR-V warranty
Honda covers the 2020 HR-V with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
HR-V Safety
HR-V Crash Test Results
HR-V 2020 scored five stars for its overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It received four stars for its rollover tests and frontal crash and five stars for its crash test.
HR-V safety features
The car comes with a rearview camera. Other advanced features include front and rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, and automatic emergency braking.
Which Honda HRV is the Best?
The Honda HRV is available in five trim levels: EX-L, Sport, LX, Touring, and EX. All models come with a continuously variable automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is available in all models besides the Touring trim, which comes with AWD.
Since the cost difference between trims is so minimal in many cases, sacrificing and buying the highest model you can is a good idea.
For instance, the Sport trim comes with a touch-screen infotainment system that’s easy to operate and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s also worth mentioning that the EX trim comes with benefits such as satellite radio, heated front seats, and automatic climatic control. But to get leather sets, you have to go for EX-L trim.
Customer reviews
Honda seems to have a huge customer base because most Honda HRV 2020 owners already own a different type of Honda.
One customer flaunted his HRV, saying it’s the best car he has ever had. Another customer said he really loves the car, especially when it comes to shopping.
Many customers loved the fact that the car fits in the garage better than Civic.
However, there were a few complaints. One common issue is that you can’t open the trunk from the outside, and closing it is a bit hard.
Generally, many users not only recommended the HRV but most Honda car models as well.
Should I buy the Honda HRV?
If you’re looking for a practical, economical car, then yes. It comes with a well-built and sturdy cabin, not to forget the seats that can be arranged in different ways. Although Honda HRV is short of some features, it is very affordable for its class.
Besides, at a pocket-friendly cost, you can purchase amenities such as safety measures, wheel drive, or an infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
With that said, looking at other options doesn’t hurt. The Mazda CX-3 is among the cars in this category that is worth checking out thanks to its sporty handling and peppy acceleration.
Hyundai Kona is another alternative, although it comes with smaller cargo space, it has nimbler handling, more durable engines, driver assistance features, and a standard infotainment system.