There is another small SUV on the market, it is the 2023 Honda HR-V. We have all noticed a great influx of small compact SUVs that are flooding the market. It feels like people are spoiled for choice. But not all of those are good, not all are great, and some are straight out bad. So, it can be daunting to choose the right one for you. Honda decided to give its small SUV a refresh. This redesign is just in time as other manufacturers are releasing their creations. This way, the HR-V has a fighting chance.
Hopefully, they equipped the SUV with some tools to win the battle. The small HR-V has been often updated and redesigned. This is not a bad thing. Constant improvement is what people want. That way, nothing is obsolete and nothing is outdated. Honda probably did a good job on the interior. Giving it a contemporary style along with nice technology. Also, on the outside, we see them making minor tweaks. Mostly to follow what is in style at the moment and to improve its performance. Under the hood is a great unknown. We see the possibility of electrification and an updated powertrain.
Let us read in more detail what is to come in the new refresh of the 2023 Honda HR-V.
Is Honda Bringing Out a New HR-V?
On the outside, the 2023 Honda HR-V looks smooth and elegant. Smoothness is due to using laser brazing, which is a joining technique for the body and the roof. We have 18-inch lightweight alloy rims. They are aluminum to shave off some weight. Although the 2023 Honda HR-V does not require a diet, improving the power-to-weight ratio is always beneficial.
Bumpers are prominent and protrude a little bit. The aerodynamics and ergonomics of the SUV are amazing. It handles and steers really well on the road. Due to its build and wheels, it is not meant for off-road use. This doesn’t mean it won’t do great there. Headlights and tail lights are linear and use the latest LED technology. They give the SUV some extra sleek points.
In-Car Technology
The interior also got a redesign. It was already stylish inside the 2023 Honda HR-V cabin. We get comfortable seats with good cushioning and decent lumbar support. Material options include leather, fabric, and suede. They are heated and ventilated, though massaging their features is unlikely. The infotainment system is in the middle of the instrument panel.
This allows for everyone to join in on the fun as it is 10 inches in size. The dashboard is also digital, which is a nice way to allow for customization. That way, we can track what we want and not get distracted often. There is an electric sunroof, which is a great addition during sunny hours. The instrument panel also has a nice honeycomb pattern, which is the central point of the cabin. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, which is a great way to add some luxury. There are safety features galore. Some of them are lane change alerts, collision alerts, and all-around cameras to make parking easier.
2023 Honda HR-V Engine Options
The powertrain setup depends heavily on where you are planning to drive it. For example, the European version of the 2023 Honda HR-V has a hybrid powertrain. The same one can be found in Insight and Accord. However, the US version has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas-guzzling engine with 158 horsepower. This might make you wonder, where have I seen this already? Well, in the Honda Civic, obviously. This amount of power doesn’t seem like too much. But keep in mind that the 2023 Honda HR-V is just a small SUV.
We might be able to get a stronger engine. It is a turbocharged version of the 1.5 liters with 180 horsepower. A hybrid powertrain has a good possibility of joining the lineup of powertrain options. We get only front-wheel drive as standard. Also, a continuously variable automatic transmission is present. All-wheel drive is something that has a chance of happening. The hybrid powertrain is not known at the moment.
There could be an electric motor that boosts the 1.5-liter lethargic engine. Hopefully, it does happen and we get a more powerful compact SUV. An electric engine can run on its own for 40–50 miles, usually. We would also get more horsepower out of it, which is a win-win situation.
Electric Variant Rumored
Full electrification is also a possibility. Honda is a pioneer when it comes to electric vehicles. There should be no reason for the SUV to not have a battery pack powering it. Due to its size, it could get by with a battery pack of 100–150 kWh. This would give it a great range as well. We are aiming at more than 300 miles.
Lower than this, recharging becomes too much of a burden. It remains to be seen what comes off the assembly line and whether Honda is about to give us what we want. Fuel economy is decent for a front-wheel drive. We get 26 mpg in the city and 32 on the open road. All-wheel drive decreases this a bit, namely 25 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.
2023 Honda HR-V Price and Release Date
Expect to see the new 2023 Honda HR-V on the road later this year. Hopefully, it doesn’t get pushed back due to supply issues and a pandemic. The starting price is $23.650. This is, of course, for the basic trim. We have the LX trim that will cost $24.985, and the Sport, which is the best bang for the buck, costs $26.895. In the end, we have EX-L, which costs $28.695.
The main competitors for the 2023 Honda HR-V are the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, Subaru Crosstrek, and Kia Soul. Look for the HR-V to put up a good fight based on its toolset.