The HR-V is the smallest member of Honda’s comprehensive crossover lineup. It’s a fitting competitor to the Chevrolet Trax, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, and Jeep Renegade. Honda gave the HR-V a substantial update for 2019, and 2020 brings new trim levels.
The HR-V spreads its options across LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. The base LX comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a 5-inch color infotainment system, Bluetooth, USB, keyless entry, halogen projector-beam headlights, and LED brake and daytime running lights.
The Sport and Touring trims are new for 2020. Honda treats the Sport trim to subtle black underbody spoilers, unique 18-inch wheels, sport pedals, paddle shifters, roof rails, and a body-colored rear roof spoiler. Meanwhile, the Touring becomes the HR-V’s new top end, with leather upholstery, LED headlights, an 8-way power driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and body-colored underbody spoilers.
Other optional features include a 7-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a power moonroof, keyless start and access, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 180-watt audio system, and a garage-door opener.
No matter which HR-V you buy, you’ll find a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder under the hood, developing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, plus a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but all trims are available with all-wheel drive (AWD). The HR-V’s fuel economy is as high as 28 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 combined with FWD, or 27, 31, and 29 with AWD, though most AWD trims get 26, 31, and 28.
The Honda Sensing safety suite comes on EX and above trims. It includes a multi-angle rear-view camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and road-departure mitigation. The HR-V was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick in 2019.