And returning 28 combined miles per gallon in front-wheel-drive form, and 27 combined with all-wheel drive, the HR-V isn't the most fuel-efficient option of the bunch, either.īut what the HR-V does offer is a top-end driving experience, a high-quality cabin, and more room than before – meaning you'll be able to load up the boot with lots of luggage. The Nissan Kicks starts at a cool $21,285 with destination and the Hyundai Kona is $22,595. Some of the smaller, more poorly equipped alternatives are more affordable than the HR-V, sure. And even the top-end EX-L model tested here with all-wheel drive costs $30,195 before options. The base LX model with front-wheel drive starts at $24,895 with the $1,245 destination fee included. Priced To FitĪlthough the 2023 Honda HR-V grows in size and makes gains in the tech and safety departments, this small SUV is still priced competitively. The lane-centering tech kept the HR-V put in the lane while the distance control maintained a healthy pace to the vehicles in front of it, applying throttle and braking inputs as needed. Again, only the Mazda CX-30 gives the HR-V a run for its money in this respect.Įven through the twisty mountain roads, the adaptive cruise system allowed me to move in comfort while enjoying the scenery. Even with an electronically assisted rack, the steering wheel never feels overly boosted. Just like in the Civic, the steering is sublime: quick, responsive, and perfectly weighty. Its nondescript nose pointed exactly where I wanted it to, and the fully independent suspension kept body roll to a minimum. With that suspension, the HR-V was eager to dive into the twisty mountain roads north of the Columbia River. Boasting the new Civic chassis underneath – which also underpins the awesome Integra – the HR-V has a stiffer overall structure and a new multi-link rear suspension that makes it markedly more dynamic, as opposed to the torsion beam rear axle of the previous model. Shoehorning in the Civic's turbocharged 1.5-liter engine would be an easy fix here.ĭynamically though, the HR-V is an Olympic skier in a class of novices (except maybe the Mazda CX-30). And still, the HR-V wasn't happy about this additional pressure, wheezing and whining its way up the mountain. Although the 2.0-liter engine was still able to deliver enough power at these peaks, it took moving the shifter to S (for Sport) and burying the gas pedal deep into the footwell to keep the crossover at speed. Higher up in the mountains, though, the non-turbocharged four-cylinder and the faux automatic didn't exactly jive with the extra altitude. Better yet, there's no more annoying droning at low speeds.
Honda implemented fake “Step-Shifts” into this refreshed transmission making it feel more like a traditional automatic, and it “shifts” with respectable quickness. Dynamically, the HR-V is an Olympic skier in a class of novices (except maybe the Mazda CX-30). The HR-V is zippy around town and able to get up to highway speeds with no issue. Torque arrives at a more generous 4,200 RPM – as opposed to 4,300 – with the four-cylinder providing more push on its way to 60 and just beyond. The 2023 HR-V blends into the crowd, with no defining cues or distinguishable features to set it apart from the alternatives.įrom the moment you hit the throttle, the HR-V feels speedier than its predecessor. All of it carries over, and all of it is great. It's not surprising, either, to see the Civic's honeycomb fixture across the HVAC vents, the same clicky metallic knobs for AC controls, and the optional 9.0-inch touchscreen atop the dash. Considering the HR-V's cabin is a near-identical carryover from the Civic, that type of quality isn't unexpected. Textured soft plastic covers the dash and center console, while high-end leather adorns our EX-L tester's seats and door panels, with only a few obvious hard plastic touch points throughout the entire vehicle.Īnd everything just feels solid. It's clean, refined, and of a higher quality than what's typically common for this class. The HR-V's cabin, on the other hand, is fantastic.
And if you opt for the Sport model, you have the option to spice up the exterior with 10-spoke black wheels, matching black badges, and other gloss black accents. The $395 Nordic Forest paint job is one of the few highlights, adding some panache to the otherwise drab design. The previous model, polarizing as it was, was at least recognizable.
It's basically a blob of vaguely familiar styling elements mushed into one nondescript package. The 2023 model blends into the crowd, with no defining cues or distinguishable features to set it apart from the alternatives. Even in these crowded parking lots, though, nobody stops to look at the new HR-V.
0 kommentar(er)
