2025 Honda HR-V: four reasons to love it, two reasons to think twice

In the United States, the previous Honda HR-V was a unique player in a growing segment. The size and packaging were its party tricks, getting the same rear “magic seat” treatment its platform brother, the Honda Fit, had. It made a tiny crossover remarkably utilitarian and is still lauded to this day.

With the new generation appearing in 2023, Honda switched to a Civic platform and lost the one unique feature the HR-V offered: the multifunction rear seat. Still, they managed to make the HR-V a better-handling vehicle, one with more usable passenger space and an easygoing personality.

Reason to love it #1: Inexpensive + Honda quality

For a base price of $25,400 for a FWD 2025 HR-V, you get a nice, tall Civic wagon, which isn’t a bad thing. All of the moving and stationary bits have a proven track record, even if you opt for the base.

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While there’s nothing new for the 2025 year, you still get the LX, Sport, and EX-L trims to choose from. The main difference is trim, tech, and wheels, which is why the $27,500 Sport option is the one to get. It gets you heated seats, better sound, trim, and nicer wheels, among other upgrades.

For $29,500, the EX-L gets you a bigger nine-inch screen, leather seats, and a power driver’s seat. You get even more tech and nicer wheels.

Reason to love it #2: Great ride and excellent efficiency

One of the HR-V’s strongest characteristics is its excellent ride. While not luxurious or sporty-firm, it’s a compromise that many commuters will like. The cockpit is fairly quiet as well, and the efficiency is great for a non-hybrid.

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The EPA rates the AWD HR-V at 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD models drop a bit to 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. That’s just shy of the non-hybrid version of the Toyota Corolla Cross, the HR-V’s main competitor.

Reason to love it #3: Fairly utilitarian

Despite having a bit more space behind the rear passengers, the HR-V falls a hair behind the Corolla Cross with overall cargo space. Still, it has a very usable interior cargo area and very good passenger space. I do fit behind my 6’1” body in the rear seat, but my knees do kiss the back of the seat in front of me.

Reason to love it #4: Handles better than many

Honda’s tuning of the suspension goes beyond a good ride and handles well, too. The 2025 Honda HR-V has a MacPherson strut up from and a multi-link rear suspension. Steering effort is easy to modulate and it dutifully goes where pointed. It’s easy to park as well.

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Reason to think twice #1: Less compelling utility than its forbearer

The 2025 generation of the HR-V holds less than its predecessor. Maximum cargo space in the old HR-V went up to 58.8 cubic feet, while the new model tops out at 55.1 cubic feet. The old back seat flipped up, too, exposing a flat floor capable of holding a lot of items. The new model’s back seat is more conventional, folding flat.

Reason to think twice #2: Completely gutless – looks slow too 

It’s not just the 2.0-liter I4 that lets the HR-V down with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque; it’s the transmission, too. Forcing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that’s hooked up to these few ponies to drag along a car that weighs about 3,300 lbs is a bit much. Honestly, this is its weakest trait.

Additionally, there is no turbo or hybrid option available for the HR-V. Thus, not only is it one of the slowest crossovers in its class, but it will remain that way for now. I think the 0 to 60 mph times are less than 10 seconds on a good day.

Final thoughts

To say it doesn’t look sporty isn’t a hyperbole. Even when Honda added some go-fast-looking trim at the Tokyo Motor Show, it still looked somewhat pedestrian. I blame the odd-looking nose, which resembles the old Ford Fusion.

Despite my gripes about the power, looks, and utility, the HR-V is still a good option for certain people. It holds a good amount of stuff and feels like it’s well put together. I cannot deny that it’s a fine commuter and handles well too. If you’re shopping around for a compact SUV, give the HR-V a look, too.

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