The Good and the Bad of Honda’s HR-V - Video Review

In story earlier in the week, we mentioned Honda’s HR-V and why we thought it was ok for a $27,000 car. In fact, we thought it was quite good for a $27,000 car. Sadly, the base model costs $36,700, and the hybrid chimes in at $45,000.

We had similar issues with Toyota’s Yaris Cross, whose price ranges from $26,990 to $34,990, which also includes an AWD hybrid. Like the HR-V, Yaris Cross is based on an entry level city car and has the same entry level cabin. Its saving grace was that it is cute, but we still couldn’t recommend a car we thought to be too expensive for what it is. Since then, Toyota has released Corolla Cross priced between $33,000 and $49,050, and also includes AWD hybrid models.

Some might argue the latter is more akin to HR-V.

Compared to Yaris Cross, HR-V is a smidge larger, but not sufficiently capacious to warrant the top model being $7,000 over the top of the already-expensive Toyota Yaris Cross. The Yaris Cross has one thing the Honda HR-V doesn’t, good looks. Since looks are a matter of opinion, we’ve added Kia’s recently revamped Seltos+ and the all-new Chery Omoda 5 for a touch of verisimilitude for our friends, Austin and Blake.

Gay couple, Austin and Blake asked if we thought the HR-V would make a good weekend camper, as they looked for a CR-V replacement. They wanted a smaller car, so I pointed out that the HR-V was FWD only.

Apparently the was much pearl-clutching going on at the dinner table, and a large emergency glass of wine was required. Their needs are simple, and unusually, looks were not as important gadgets. I mention the Seltos and Omoda 5 as these SUVs are on their list, as they call it, “our big fat gay car list.”

Get HR-V Specs HERE: Honda HR-V 22YM specifications

Video Review: Is 2023 Honda HRV an Expensive Undercooked Pudding? FULL Review #gaycarboys

1 Minute Video Review: 2023 Honda HR-V #short

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ABOVE: 2023 Honda HR-V

Like the Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross, the KIA and Chery look more modern and interesting, inside and out.

In our video, we compare the Seltos Sport+ and Chery Omoda 5 and while the Honda offers a hybrid, HR-V has the lowest power output, and the highest price. Furthermore, only the Seltos adds AWD and a proper 8-speed automatic in place of the spirit-sapping CVT.

Finally, the fully digital cabins of the Seltos+ and Omoda 5 outclass the HR-V in looks, function, and feel.

The Good:

HR-V’s look may not be my box of cogs, but it still has that classy feel of quality that Honda is known for. What you touch and feel is well made.
Head and tail lights are LED, and the tall design and wide doors make for sensible ingress and egress.
The colour range is important, with some offerings making the grille look a little less like Mrs. Mangle’s venetian blinds. Now you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it can you?
The drive shows a decent handler. HR-V corners nicely, and the steering is light and precise.
There is wireless Apple Carplay, but Android users still need a cable.
Honda has superb storage solutions including very many cup holders, and folding rear seat. The squab hinges back to allow tall things to be stashed on the floor.

The Bad:

The CVT is awful. Even with drive mode set to sport, the pistons sound like they’re trying to escape the engine bay. Unlike a conventional automatic, CVTs allow the engine to rev like a Jumbo at take-off, and stay the until the speed catches up. The HR-V has a stepped ratio setup, but it doesn’t seem to help.
There is no AWD option.
The cabin has a lot of hard plakky bits, and the design is a little last-year. The driver’s instrument panel is not fully digital, something you’d expect at this price. Although there is wireless CarPlay, there is no wireless charging.
There is no spare tyre. Although no longer uncommon, there is enough room in the back for a space saver.
Our 0-100 time of just under 12 seconds felt glacial, and the tyres sent quite a bit of noise into the cabin.

Conclusion:

It sounds like I’ve been hard on HR-V, and I have, but only because I liked the previous one so much. Although it was also on the expensive side, it had a sartorial charm. It showed a wit and playfulness that made it feel young and vibrant.

The new HR-V somehow looks older than the Corolla Cross, Seltos, and Omoda 5, and Honda cannot afford a misstep as its sales continue to fall. There is no point in Honda getting cranky with reviewers, as it is the buyer who makes the choice, and the buyers have spoken. I just don’t think Honda is listening.

2023 Honda HR-V