Used 2017 Honda HR-V EX SUV Review

Name: 2017 Honda HR-V Review
Brand: Honda

More about the 2017 HR-V

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2017 Honda HR-V EX SUV.

5 (33%)

4 (45%)

3 (11%)

2 (0%)

1 (11%)

3.9

9 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Consider the HR-V for your second or third car.

MG Brown, Highland Park, IL, 03/17/2017

2017 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

It is just slightly a month after delivery of our Honda HR-V EX AWD. There were certain dealer-installed options that we wanted, and we found after using the ‘build your Honda’ tool on their website, that installation and other required installation kits were not included in the price of the options. This raised the price considerably and was a bit of a sticker shock. If you are … planning to have options installed, check the price of labor, etc. on the Honda e-store for a more realistic bottom line price. Speaking of dealer installation charges, shop around before buying or ordering your HR-V. We saved a substantial amount of money buying either OEM or third party accessories from eBay and Amazon. I feel anyone can ‘install’ a rear cargo tray or floor mats so why pay the dealer’s labor charge for something that you can do yourself? We feel that the HR-V is a good choice for a second or third car (our case) for a small family or a childless couple. In many ways, the HR-V is a throwback to when families had a low-end station wagon as a second car for hauling people or cargo. With the price being what it is- I can imagine some young families looking at the LX model for an only car. I'm not sure if the HR-V is the best choice for an only car so I'd advise people such as that to shop around. Honda surprised us by including some features as standard on the HR-V that I would consider to be luxury oriented and not including some features that I would call practical in nature. For example- both of our other cars have push button memory seats (not available in the HR-V) which is extremely helpful if you have 2-3 people who drive all of the cars. As with most Hondas made in the last 20 years or so, major options are by package so if you want XM satellite radio, you have no choice but to pay for leather seating and navigation also. It’s a shame that you can’t pick and choose more features but I assume it’s that way to keep costs down. I read other reviewers complaining about driver positioning; I can only assume that they have not read their owners manual because our EX model has tilt and telescope steering wheel as well as seat height and backrest tilt adjustments. I am a tall guy but with some adjusting, I can get reasonably comfortable in the HR-V driver compartment. My only interior complaint is that both driver and passenger seating areas have an encroachment by the front wheel well into the interior which pushes back my left leg when driving or right leg when I am the passenger by about an inch. This is just enough to be slightly uncomfortable when driving but less so when I am the passenger. If you are tall or have a long inseam, this may be a consideration for you too. Others have complained about the HR-V’s engine performance; I believe that Honda changed the engine mapping for 2017 and our AWD version gets down the road nicely. I can’t imagine anyone buying an HR-V expecting it to be a rocket. We feel the power and torque are more than adequate and at the same time it delivers good to great fuel economy. The AWD on our HR-V proved its worth after the first heavy snowfall in our area and unless you are really on a tight budget, I’d certainly suggest you get the AWD version. We had another car in the past with a CVT automatic and the HR-V has some of the same characteristic transmission and power train noise that the other car had. It’s a shame because most Honda automatics are relatively quiet. I have heard that some people have complained about Honda not including Apple Play or the Android equivalent in the HR-V. We feel that the HondaLink system included in the EX is all that we need and quite easy and intuitive to use. I understand the infotainment system in the LX is different so perhaps those that have complained have the LX. Our HR-V is a fun and versatile vehicle. The various cargo configurations such as ‘long mode’ and the magic seats in the 2nd row make for a lot of options when transporting stuff from here to there. We have found the HR-V to be a crossover that does almost everything well; it is very practical and economical as well as having a handsome appearance without too much glitz and gadgetry.

HRV misnomer

David C, Denver, CO, 12/09/2018

2017 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

If you think an HRV is the little sister of the CRV, think again. My last Honda was a CRV and it met expectations for an SUV, but it seemed so much like a clunker. My 2017 HRV EX isn't perfect either, but this class of vehicle much better suits my needs: nimble, handles well, carries TONS of gear (better cargo layouts for sure), quiet enough (less engine noise than my Outback had), and …

Great small SUV

Mina L, Boston, MA, 08/10/2017

2017 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

Great small SUV!! Seats in the back fold up and down so it's very versatile. The only two things I wish it had was power seats and an electric hatch. Other than that the car is great. Car has a back up camera and right turn lane signal camera which comes in very handy. Handles well on the road and is sporty looking. Great SUV for the price.

hrv it's how i roll

David, Denver, CO, 01/26/2018

2017 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

i wouldn't buy an entry level if only cause i cant live w/o a sunroof. the AWD / CVT version is fine (way better than Subaru) and I pretty much only use the Sport configuration when driving in the mountains; around town fuel economy v. acceleration is fine in Econ mode. Fit and finish is typical great Honda strength. +++A year in this vehicle now, updated as follows: I do get tired of …

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Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Honda HR-V EX SUV

Pros & Cons

Pro:Easily fits average-sized adults in front and back
Pro:Clever cargo solutions make it more versatile than rivals
Pro:Fuel economy figures are better than most competitors
Pro:Outward visibility is excellent
Con:Unimpressive power output results in lackluster acceleration
Con:Infotainment system is not user-friendly
Con:There's an abundance of engine noise and vibration

Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Honda HR-V SUV

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

What’s new

The Honda HR-V, all-new last year, is unchanged for 2017.

Vehicle overview

Searching for an affordable crossover? Honda's 2017 HR-V is a strong contender. It makes the most of its small dimensions thanks to an innovative second-row seat that offers plenty of cargo-carrying flexibility. We're not fond of the HR-V's slow acceleration, but overall it gets most things right.

The HR-V uses one of Honda's clever innovations, the so-called Magic Seat that the company also features in the related Fit hatchback. The seat has flip-up rear seat cushions that, when raised, create a tall and narrow cargo area between the front and rear seats that's great for things such as a bicycle or a flat-screen TV. With all the seats in place, there's suitable space for average-size adults, too. Besides the HR-V's flexibility, it also benefits from high fuel economy and an unobstructed outward view.

At this price point, there are bound to be a few drawbacks. The HR-V's admirable fuel efficiency is offset by pokey acceleration, and the touchscreen infotainment system isn't as intuitive or as easy to operate as rival systems. The HR-V also a bit unrefined in certain respects, which is unusual for a Honda. Though these flaws are cause for concern, we think the HR-V is a pretty good value overall and worth a look if you're in the market.

2017 Honda HR-V models

The HR-V might be the least expensive crossover in Honda's stable, but buyers won't feel let down by the many features on tap. The base LX is admittedly light on luxuries, but there are some impressive standard features such as alloy wheels, a rearview camera and Bluetooth. The EX is considerably more value-rich. It increases the price a little but comes loaded with a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats and other goodies. The EX-L Navi is the only way to get navigation, satellite radio and leather upholstery. There are no significant factory options to add.

All versions of the 2017 Honda HR-V are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 127 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual transmission is standard on LX and EX models, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. The CVT comes standard on the EX-L Navi. You can get a HR-V with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. When you pick the latter, the CVT is part of the deal.

Standard feature highlights for the LX include 17-inch wheels, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a configurable 60/40-split folding rear seat, a 5-inch central display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary jack and a USB port.

The EX trim adds a sunroof, rear privacy glass, automatic headlights, foglights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, automatic climate control, dynamic guidelines for the rearview camera, a passenger-side blind-spot camera (Honda's LaneWatch), a 7-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker sound system (with an additional USB port), and HondaLink smartphone apps and integration.

At the top of the line, the EX-L Navi comes with roof rails, leather upholstery, a navigation system with voice recognition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and satellite and HD radio.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Honda HR-V EX-L w/Navigation (1.8L inline-4 | CVT | AWD).

Note: Since this test was conducted, the HR-V has not received any significant revisions. Our findings remain applicable to this year's model.

Driving

3.0

The 141 horsepower generated by its 1.8-liter four-cylinder is fairly meager by segment standards. On the bright side, the HR-V's handling is sporty enough to have some fun when going around turns.

Acceleration

2.0

The HR-V is one of the slowest subcompact SUVs we've tested. It went from zero to 60 mph in an unhurried 9.7 seconds. After lurching off the line abruptly, the HR-V feels weak, even in regular driving. When driving up hills, the CVT is constantly adjusting engine rpm, to your annoyance.

Braking

3.0

The brakes are barely adequate power-wise, but the pedal has a decent feel, making it easy to modulate when coming to a stop. In a simulated-panic stop, the HR-V stopped from 60 mph in 124 feet, a bit longer than average.

Steering

4.0

The steering has a pleasant and natural feel to it. It gives you confidence as you steer the HR-V around turns. It's also an easy car to wield around in tight parking lots.

Handling

4.0

This is a fun vehicle to drive thanks to the steering's quick turn-in and well-tuned suspension that enhances stability. The stability control system rarely intervenes on public roads.

Drivability

3.0

Full-throttle acceleration brings vibrations through the steering wheel and gas pedal, especially above 5,000 rpm. The gas pedal's responsiveness isn't linear either, making the HR-V seem jumpy and hard to drive smoothly.

Off-road

The HR-V comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all three trim levels are available with all-wheel drive, as on our test vehicle. As is typical for this class, an all-wheel-drive HR-V is meant for improved traction during inclement driving rather than any true off-road adventuring.

Comfort

3.0

The 2017 HR-V has one of the best ride qualities in its class. Seat comfort is mediocre, however, resulting in average scores overall.

Seat comfort

2.5

The front seats are narrow and firmly cushioned. Lumbar support is not adjustable. Taller folks might take issue with the lack of adjustability and poor legroom. The door and center armrests have good padding, though, and the rear seats are firm but comfy.

Ride comfort

4.0

No vehicle in the subcompact crossover class is cushy. But the Honda HR-V does better than most, with a completely livable ride quality. Only when you drive over big bumps does the HR-V seem a bit choppy or still-riding.

Noise & vibration

2.0

At full throttle or high rpm, the engine sends a considerable amount of racket into the cabin. Even at idle at a stoplight, there's noticeable engine vibration. The tires are noisier than expected over most surfaces, but wind noise is impressively muted.

Interior

3.5

The 2017 HR-V's interior is more useful than any other vehicle in the class, with a nifty rear seat that can fold or swing up and out of the way. Rear seat occupants will be pleased with the amount of room.

Ease of use

3.0

All of the HR-V's central controls are easily within the driver's reach, and the steering wheel controls feel substantial and high-quality. The lack of physical infotainment and climate control buttons and knobs is a huge minus, however.

Getting in/getting out

3.5

The front seat is at a near-perfect height for slipping in and out, and the roofline is high. Doors are large for this size of vehicle and open quite wide. It's more difficult to get into the rear because of the sloping roofline, small door openings and high-mounted seats.

Roominess

3.0

Space for rear passengers is excellent. Average-size adults can actually fit back there, which can't be said for a lot of subcompact crossovers. But the front seats lack legroom and adjustment range for tall folks.

Visibility

5.0

Most of the vertical roof pillars are slim, particularly up front, giving you a great view out. The rear pillars are thick, but the side windows are long, making for easier lane changes. A rearview camera is standard; the LaneWatch blind-spot camera is standard on EX and EX-L Navi models.

Quality

3.0

Although the interior looks nice, some of the trim pieces and the functionality of a few controls aren't up to Honda's usual high standards.

Utility

4.5

Cargo capacity is excellent at 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 58.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded (FWD figures; with AWD, cargo space is slightly less). It has unbeatable versatility thanks to the flat-folding rear seat and flip-up cushions. Small item storage is subpar, though.

Technology

2.5

The touchscreen user interface looks nice even with its low-rent nav graphics. It's frustrating to use, though, because of the imprecise virtual buttons and a confounding menu structure. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would help some, but alas, the HR-V is not one of the Hondas with this technology.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO^® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Honda HR-V in Ohio is:

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Used 2017 Honda HR-V EX SUV Review

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