2021 Honda HR-V Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The HR-V’s styling sharply contrasts Honda’s larger SUVs. Where the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot go for the traditional SUV look, with upright roof lines and intimidating front ends, the HR-V has a softer, friendlier appearance. It’s also distinctive, thanks to details like upper and lower window lines that converge near the taillights in a triangular point that also houses the rear door handles.

Most trim levels get 17-inch alloy wheels, with a machined finish on the HR-V EX and EX-L. Sport models get matte-black 18-inch wheels, plus blacked-out trim. Fog lights are standard on all but the base LX trim level.

Interior styling is fairly plain but functional. We’ve also noticed good material quality and fit and finish in previous HR-V test vehicles, so while this little Honda will never be confused with a luxury car, it still looks and feels solid. EX and EX-L models get push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, and EX-L models get leather upholstery.

The sole HR-V powertrain is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, and is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with paddle shifters on higher trim levels. While AWD is available on all trim levels, front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard.

The powertrain hasn’t changed since the last time we drove an HR-V, which is not a good thing. We’ve found this crossover to be a bit underpowered for highway driving, a problem compounded by an ineffective CVT. Some competitors also offer more powerful engine options, such as the Kia Seltos’ 175-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four, or the 182-hp 2.5-liter boxer-four offered in higher-end versions of the Subaru Crosstrek.

However, we’ve found that the HR-V’s chassis makes up for its engine. It’s one of the only subcompact crossovers that’s genuinely rewarding to drive on twisty roads. It truly lives up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars, and provides decent ride quality, to boot. That’s the advantage of driving a small SUV that’s really just a lifted, enlarged subcompact hatchback.

One of the disadvantages of driving a glorified hatchback, though, is that the HR-V can’t do everything more traditional SUVs can. It’s AWD system isn’t designed for anything rougher than slippery roads, ground clearance is minimal, and the HR-V is not rated for towing.

The HR-V has impressive cargo space for its size, thanks in part to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, inherited from the Fit. Fold that seat down, and you get 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models). Leaving it up still retains 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). Both figures surpass competitors like the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek, but the Kia Seltos and upcoming 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross both offer more cargo space.

The HR-V is also second only to the Subaru Crosstrek in overall passenger space. Much of that space is devoted to rear-seat legroom, as the HR-V leads the segment in that category. In comparison, front-seat legroom, as well as front and rear headroom, are just average.

Honda doesn’t offer any clever interior storage solutions, but that’s also the case with most of the HR-V’s competitors. What you do get are sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control, and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console is dominated by a large shift lever but, while buttons or a rotary knob might have freed up more cupholder space, this is simpler and easier to use. A standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel also makes finding the perfect driving position easier.

The base HR-V LX gets standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system, but you have to upgrade to the Sport trim level to get any real infotainment tech. The Sport and higher trim levels get a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models add SiriusXM satellite radio (with a free trial).

Like the rest of the HR-V’s interior, the infotainment system is plain but functional. We’ve never had any issues navigating it in the past, and the two available USB ports (one for charging, one connectivity) are located in a cubbyhole ahead of the shifter, so you don’t have to stick your phone in a cupholder or storage bin that could be used for other things.

However, it’s worth noting that even the optional 7-inch touchscreen is somewhat small, and many competitors offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment across the board. Honda loses points for making buyers upgrade from the base LX trim level to get these features.

The HR-V received top “Good” scores in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, and the top “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech, but got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings (depending on trim level) and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating and five stars in side crash testing, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing.

The HR-V does get Honda Sensing safety features, but only on the EX and EX-L trim levels. Honda Sensing includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and Honda’s LaneWatch. A step up from conventional blind-spot monitoring, it shows the view from a mirror-mounted camera when the turn signal is activated. The federally-mandated rearview camera also gets upgraded with dynamic gridlines on higher trim levels.

The 2021 HR-V is a more fuel-efficient alternatives to traditional SUVs. It gets EPA-rated fuel economy of 30 mpg combined (28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway) with FWD. With AWD, the HR-V is rated at 29 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway) in LX trim and 28 mpg combined (26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway) in Sport, EX, and EX-L spec.

Honda offers a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile, powertrain warranty. That’s competitive with most other subcompact crossovers, but the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos offer longer warranty terms.

Pricing starts at $22,140 for a base LX FWD model, rising to $28,440 MSRP for the priciest EX-L AWD version (all prices include a mandatory $1,20 destination charge). AWD is a $1,500 option on all trim levels. You’ll pay similar prices for competitor subcompact SUVs.

The HR-V offers solid utility and a well-tuned chassis, but the competition is starting to catch up. The Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offer similar cargo space, and the Subaru also gets standard AWD. Honda is also stingy when it comes to standard driver-assistance and infotainment tech. The HR-V was among the best subcompact crossovers when it launched, but Honda won’t be able to coast along on that for much longer.