2022 Honda HR-V

Could there be a single subcompact crossover as versatile as the Honda HR-V? Honda redefined compact car practicality with its Magic Seats, first launched on the Fit nearly two decades ago. The seating arrangement in the first-generation Fit set a new standard for space and practicality in a small car, so it's no wonder the Japanese giant would fit the same Magic Seat arrangement in as many models as possible. Enter the HR-V, first launched for the 2016 MY as Honda's competitor in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. It took the class-leading practicality of the Fit and mixed it with the aggressive, chunky styling of a crossover. With crossovers quickly becoming the default car for most families, it made a lot of sense. Honda certainly delivered on the practicality front; both passenger and cargo space are highly impressive in the HR-V for a car of its size. The driving experience isn't up to par, however. The 2022 HR-V is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 141 horsepower. The CVT gearbox Honda chose to mate to this engine takes almost all of the joy out of the driving experience.

The question is, does it even matter? Does the practicality and usefulness of the HR-V SUV outweigh the underwhelming driving experience?

The HR-V doesn't stand out, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It features the general proportions and ride height of a vehicle in this class, with some signature Honda design elements thrown in for good measure. The newly designed alloy wheels on certain models are handsome, while the privacy glass adds a touch of style to the Sport model. The 2022 Honda HR-V Sport is also the only model to be fitted with 18-inch matte black alloy wheels, making it the stand-out model in the range. All other models are fitted with 17-inch silver-painted alloys.

All models in the range are equipped with halogen projector headlights, while the brake lights and daytime running lights are full LEDs.

Given the amount of interior and cargo space available, you might be surprised to learn that the HR-V's compact dimensions include a wheelbase of just 102.8 inches. LX, EX, and EX-L models have a body length of 170.4 inches, while the Sport is slightly longer at 170.9 inches. All models stand 63.2 inches tall, and most are 69.8 inches wide, with the Sport once again bucking the trend being slightly wider at 70.5 inches. Normally all-wheel-drive models would be higher off the ground than their front-wheel-drive siblings, but in this case, it's the other way around. Front-wheel-drive HR-V's have a ground clearance of 7.3 inches (7.4 for the Sport), while all-wheel-drive models have 6.7 inches of ground clearance (6.9 for the Sport). The curb weight ranges from 2,906 pounds for the entry-level LX front-wheel-drive, to 3,142 lbs for the all-wheel-drive EX-L.

A total of seven colors are available, with certain colors reserved for certain trim levels. Crystal Black, Lunar Silver, Modern Steel, and Platinum White Pearl are available across the range, with the latter costing $395 extra. The Sport trim is available in two additional colors called Aegean Blue and Milano Red. The EX trim additionally gets access to Midnight Amethyst Metallic, which costs $395, but loses Milano Red. The top-of-the-line EX-L model can be ordered in any color except Milano Red.

This particular segment isn't known for delivering sporty performance, with most subcompact crossovers geared for green efficiency rather than speed, despite not having a hybrid powertrain option. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder's 141 hp and 127 lb-ft are adequate specs for a naturally-aspirated engine, but the CVT transmission fails to make the best of those figures. The result is a rather disappointing 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds for front-wheel-drive models, and 9.5 seconds for all-wheel-drive models in real-world testing. One could argue that these figures don't matter considering the segment, but the Hyundai Kona is a direct competitor and its modern powertrain allows for impressive efficiency, as well as a six-second sprint from 0-60 mph in real-world testing. While some in the segment are capable of towing, Honda publishes no towing capacity for the HR-V.

Only one powertrain is available in the HR-V range. It's a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that develops 141 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. This power is fed via a CVT transmission to either the front axle or all four wheels depending on the model.

The CVT is effective enough within the confines of the city, and equally so on the highway, once it's up to speed. It's getting up to speed that's a bit of a problem, especially compared to a manual transmission. The CVT doesn't like bursts of acceleration. When you need to merge onto the highway or overtake slower moving vehicles, the CVT can be annoying. You mash the throttle into the carpet, the engine revolutions increase, and the noise levels go up. Everything that needs to happen happens, except for the actual increase in speed. The process of getting the speed of the car to match the noise and revolutions can be a tedious task. Having said that, it's a problem that also haunts many other vehicles equipped with CVT transmissions.

It's also worth mentioning that the naturally aspirated engine feels rough and strained when compared to the more modern powertrains out there. Most manufacturers have moved on to smaller capacity turbocharged engines, with only a few manufacturers, like Honda, choosing to stick with a naturally aspirated engine in this instance.

The HR-V rides on the same platform as the Honda Fit. The Fit provides a decent and entertaining driving experience for what it is.

The sharp steering has been carried over, but the rest of the car doesn't behave as well as a Fit does. The added weight of the crossover body, combined with the higher center of gravity has resulted in a driving experience that's not as polished as the car it's based on. On smooth roads, it does an amicable job, but broken tarmac is its undoing. The higher center of gravity means it leans a lot more in the corners, while the dampers can't cope quickly enough with bad surfaces. It doesn't feel dangerous, but it also never feels 100% settled either. The all-wheel-drive model has an upgraded rear suspension, but even that doesn't do much to improve the ride quality. It's a pity because the HR-V could have been very close to class-leading if all the underpinnings worked together in harmony as they do in the Fit.

Improved gas mileage is the main reason CVT transmissions exist. As annoying as they can be, you can see the benefits when it comes to consumption figures. According to the EPA estimates, the front-wheel-drive models deliver figures of 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. The addition of an all-wheel-drive system does have an impact, but not as much as you might think. Its EPA ratings of 27/31/29 mpg compare favorably to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Toyota C-HR that are only available in front-wheel-drive. Suddenly, the CVT transmission doesn't seem like such a bad trade-off. The HR-V has a 13.2-gallon tank, which allows for between 382 and 396 miles of mixed driving conditions.

Like its engine, the interior of the HR-V is also very much old-school. It's nowhere near as funky on the inside as a Kia Soul or a Hyundai Kona, but the layout is logical, and it feels well put together. The major touchpoints are made of high-quality, soft-touch materials. The rest of the interior is made up of various shades of gray, durable plastic. It may not look fantastic, but it feels as if it will last for decades, even when subjected to destructive toddlers.

Base trim models aren't as lavishly equipped, but Honda's Magic Seat design is standard across the range. As it's one of the HR-V's main selling points, if not the main selling point, that's extremely good news.

While it may look compact on the outside, it's anything but on the inside. The HR-V is a five-seater, and it can seat full-size adults in the second row. Front passengers have 41.2 inches of legroom and 39.5 inches of headroom. Second-row passengers have 39.3 inches of legroom, and 38.3 inches of headroom. To put that in perspective, the Hyundai Kona's rear passengers only have 35.2 inches of legroom at their disposal. So while the Kona might drive circles around the HR-V when it comes to ride and handling, it simply can't match the Honda when it comes to passenger space.

All five seats offer decent support in all the right places. The visibility from the driver's seat is also good thanks to the large windows, while the tall doors and elevated ride height make it easy to get in and out of the HR-V.

As mentioned before, the interior may look a bit drab, but the quality is good. LX models get black cloth seats and EX models come with a choice of black or gray. It's worth keeping in mind that if you do decide to go for gray cloth, the upper door panels, center console, and dash insert will also be changed to match. The Sport model is only available with black cloth seats to match the black leather trim on the steering wheel and shifter. Leather seats, available only in black this year, are only available on models carrying the additional "L" in the trim nomenclature, like EX-L, and EX-L AWD.

This is another HR-V party piece. With all seats in place, the front-wheel-drive HR-V has 24.3 cubic feet of space in the trunk. The all-wheel-drive system does have an impact on trunk capacity, but the remaining 23.2 cubic feet is still impressive. Honda's Magic Seats allow you to fold the second row to a nearly flat position, resulting in 57.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the all-wheel-drive model and 58.8 cubic feet in the front-wheel-drive model.

But it's not just the cargo space that's impressive. The various storage compartments are the result of a properly thought out interior design. The rear seat cushions fold up, revealing a large, secure storage space behind the front seats. It also has a large glovebox, center console bin, door pockets, and a large selection of cupholders.

The Honda HR-V is generously equipped throughout the model range, though the advanced safety features are only available on high-end models. The base LX model is equipped with manual air-conditioning, a reverse camera, cruise control, manual seat adjustment, one USB port, and tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel. The Sport trim adds paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, sports pedals, and an additional USB port.

Moving up to 2022 Honda HR-V EX trim unlocks heated front seats, automatic climate control, a moonroof, smart entry with push-button start, and Honda Sensing. The latter is a seriously impressive bit of kit, as it includes a full suite of advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The EX loses the Sport's sports pedals and the leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob. In addition to adding leather-trimmed seats, the EX-L trim also includes an automatic dimming rearview mirror and speakers surrounded by chrome speaker rings.

The base LX trim is equipped with a basic five-inch screen without touch functionality. It uses physical buttons and a 160-watt four-speaker sound system. It does offer AM/FM and Bluetooth connectivity, however. From Sport derivatives upwards, the HR-V is equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen with full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM and HD radio are available from EX trim. The Sport model has a 180-watt four-speaker sound system, while the EX and EX-L are equipped with 180-watt six-speaker systems. When not working via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the interface can be tricky to understand and use. It does have all the features one could expect, but navigating through the various menus isn't as easy as it is in the Hyundai Kona, for example.

Honda has a stellar reputation for reliability, and the HR-V is another shining example of what the brand is capable of. Complaints are few and far between, but there have been a few recalls issued over the years. In 2016, 2018, and 2019 there were a few recalls, but nothing recent. It was completely recall-free in 2020 and 2021; the 2022 model also has a clean bill of health so far. The HR-V is sold with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000 powertrain warranty.

The NHTSA awarded the HR-V five stars for safety in its review, while the IIHS review of the HR-V gives it a good rating across all the major segments. The major concern on the Honda's result sheet is the poor rating the IIHS gave to the LX and Sport trims' headlamps.

The best safety features are only equipped on the more expensive EX and EX-L models. The Honda Sensing suite includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a blind spot monitoring system called Honda LaneWatch. The LX and Sport models don't get these impressive active safety features, but all of the important safety must-haves are present and accounted for. This includes ABS, EBD, stability control, six airbags, and LATCH anchors for the rear seats.

This depends entirely on what your main priorities are: if you're in the market for a reliable, frugal, practical, and spacious subcompact crossover, the answer is yes. A new Honda HR-V ticks all the right boxes when it comes to practical motoring for a family of five. There's loads of room, the seats are comfortable, there's storage space aplenty, and it comes with a high safety rating if you buy the right model.

The main problem the HR-V has is its lackluster performance and substandard ride quality. Competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul do a much better job in this department.

Most of these subcompact crossovers also rely on a decent helping of style and quirkiness to help them get noticed, and the HR-V just doesn't have that. When you look at its main rivals, you'll see all sorts of unique design features, as well as a few shock-and-awe interior gimmicks. These are the kinds of things some people aspire to, and if you're one of them, the Honda simply won't do and you'd be better off waiting for the forthcoming brand-new 2023 model.

But if you're in the market for an honest, reliable crossover with space for five people, the 2022 HR-V will do.

The cheapest HR-V is the base LX in front-wheel-drive configuration. With an MSRP of $21,420, it's only $200 more expensive than the 2021 model - a price increase that applies to all trims. The Sport model, with all of its unique touches, retails for $23,370. The EX model, with Honda Sensing, which adds all of the advanced safety features, retails for $24,620. The EX-L, with full leather trim starts at $26,220. The all-wheel-drive system is available on all models and costs an additional $1,500 above the sticker price of the HR-V. Honda's destination charge is $1,225.

The 2022 Honda HR-V range comprises the same four trims as last year: LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L. They are all front-wheel drive by default but can be specified with all-wheel drive for $1,500. All trims share the exact same engine and transmission: a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter inline four with 141 hp and a CVT automatic transmission.

The base LX model is equipped as standard with halogen headlights, LED taillights and DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a body-color rear roof spoiler. On the inside, it gets black cloth upholstery, manual air-conditioning, Honda's Magic Seats, and cruise control. The infotainment system gets a five-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker audio system, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Basic safety and driver-assistance features include six airbags, a backup camera, and stability control.

The Sport trim gets all this, but adds exterior mirrors and 18-inch alloy wheels in black, as well as fog lights and roof rails. Inside, it additionally gets a leather trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, sport pedals, and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. The infotainment system is upgraded to a seven-inch touchscreen and gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The EX trim loses the Sport's sport pedals and its leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, but it does gain heated front seats, a moonroof, keyless entry, push-button start, and climate control. The infotainment system gains HD Radio, SiriusXM, and two additional speakers. Most importantly, it gets the entire Honda Sensing safety suite with a huge array of driver-assistance features included, such as forward-collision warning with braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, a lane-watch system, and automatic high beams.

The only equipment that the EX-L trim adds to this is that regains the Sport trim's leather on the steering wheel and shift knob and gets full leather upholstery, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

There's not much you can add to the HR-V. The line-up of models and the standard features each one comes with has been thought out thoroughly. Having said that, there are several optional extras you can add to make the HR-V crossover better. Examples include fog lights on the LX ($427), a bike attachment frame mount for $201 (on all but LX), and wheel locks. There's also an engine block heater ($86) for those who live in colder states. Honda does offer a Fashion Package, which makes the car look a bit funkier. It costs $659 and includes a chrome front bumper garnish, chrome rear bumper garnish, illuminated door sill trim with the HR-V nomenclature, and a cargo organizer. This package is not available on the Sport model.

Customers who regularly use back roads can also add one of three All-Season Protection Packages. These packages are meant to protect the car against dirt and mud, in case you plan on taking the HR-V off-road. The most basic Protection Package retails for $295, with the most expensive and comprehensive protection offering costing $415.

On the EX and EX-L, you can add three additional packages. There's the Black Accent Package ($1,248), consisting of crossbars on the roof, a tailgate spoiler, bodyside moldings, and door sill illumination. The $1,638 Premium Rugged Package includes rugged front lower trim, side lower trim, rear lower trim, crossbars, metal rear bumper protection, and rear seatback protection.

Finally, there's the standard Rugged Package, which features all of the above, except the seatback protection and the metal rear bumper protection. It retails for $1,372.

As the new HR-V is aimed at families, we'd ignore both the LX and Sport models, and opt for the EX spec. It might be a mid-spec car, but it features Honda Sensing and the full suite of active safety features that come with it. It also comes with a larger touchscreen interface that integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. The heated seats will also be useful in colder states. The EX also represents a $1,600 saving when compared to the EX-L, which makes it exceptional value for money. We'd gladly forego the leather seats and auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The optional all-wheel-drive system only really makes sense in cold-weather states. As it sits lower to the ground than the front-wheel-drive model, it's not meant for any serious off-roading. If you don't live in a cold-weather state, it's worth keeping the HR-V's standard front-wheel-drive setup, if only for the better performance and gas mileage.

Since buyers interested in the HR-V likely have space as one of the main considerations, it's worth comparing it to base-spec models from the compact crossover segment.

The first rival comes from within Honda's stable. Pricing for the 2022 Honda CR-V starts at $25,750, which is slightly less than the HR-V EX-L. With the CR-V you get even more room, a larger trunk, and a 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. Crucially, Honda Sensing is standard across the CR-V range, so you're not making any sacrifices when it comes to safety. You do lose out on the larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration on the base model, and leather seats. The ultimate choice depends entirely on what your needs are. The HR-V is already an affordable spacious car, but looking at the CR-V line-up it appears to be even more of a value proposition.

The Mazda CX-5, which is also a size up from the Honda HR-V crossover, is also an interesting alternative. The CX-5 is bigger than the HR-V, and the interior is a huge step up. All models in the CX-5 range come as standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. You do lose out on some of the safety features offered by Honda Sensing, but all CX-5s are equipped with radar-guided cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The CX-5's trump card is its engine and gearbox line-up. On entry-level cars the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is naturally-aspirated, but it does deliver 186 hp. This punchy engine is mated to a traditional six-speed automatic transmission with a manual override and a sport mode. If you can stretch the budget by another $4,000, you'll be able to get into a turbocharged 2.5-liter, which offers 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Out of the three, this car offers the most rewarding driving experience. It has a stunning chassis and is an absolute pleasure on all surfaces. If you can't stretch the budget that far, the HR-V remains a decent alternative.