People might not love subcompact cars like they used to, but subcompact SUVs are selling like hotcakes. The Honda HR-V is a popular contender in the segment, offering refined styling and a solid number of standard technology and driver-assistance features.
2026 Honda HR-V Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Honda HR-V
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Honda HR-V
Honda refreshed the HR-V for 2026 with updated interior and exterior styling, a larger touchscreen with more features, and new color and wheel options. The automaker said the changes were intended to make the HR-V more appealing to a younger demographic and draw new buyers to the brand.
Design
Honda pushed the HR-V’s styling closer to that of the larger CR-V and Civic sedan when it was last updated, and the changes in 2026 give it a more refined look. The SUV features standard 17-inch wheels with available 18-inch alloy wheels for the Sport and EX-L trims.
Powertrain
The HR-V’s powertrain didn’t change for 2026. It carries on with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. Power reaches the front or all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission. While it’s far from quick, the HR-V has consistently earned high marks for its lively, engaging handling and responsive steering. The SUV also has three driving modes, with settings for normal, eco, and snow, and hill-descent control comes standard.
Interior
The HR-V seats five people across two rows, though it’s most comfortable as a four-seater. Cloth upholstery comes standard, and the top trim comes with leather upholstery and heated front seats. Cargo space is above average for the class, at 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet with the back bench folded flat. The HR-V also added standard rear privacy glass for 2026.
Technology
Honda boosted the HR-V’s standard screen size, pushing it from seven to nine inches. The system also gained a more powerful processor for more responsive performance, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. Other standard features include wireless phone charging, USB-C ports, and Bluetooth.
Safety
The 2026 HR-V hasn’t received crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yet, but it should perform similarly to its predecessor, which was named a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, the IIHS’ highest award. Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic-jam assist, lane-departure warning, a rearview camera, rear-seat alert, and driver attention monitoring. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors are available. The HR-V also sports the latest generation of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, which pairs with a new airbag system to provide better head and all-around protection for occupants.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, the 2026 Honda HR-V starts at $27,595 for the base LX trim, which includes a $1,395 destination charge. Adding AWD to that trim pushes the price to $29,025. The top EX-L trim costs $31,445 with front-wheel drive and $32,945 with all-wheel drive.
