Vehicle Overview
Just because something is small doesn't necessarily mean it will come up short. As a wise Jedi master once said, "Size matters not. ... Judge me by my size, do you?" In the same vein, the 2017 Honda HR-V is far more capable than its diminutive size suggests.
As part of the burgeoning subcompact SUV class, the HR-V slots in under Honda's CR-V and larger Pilot. It also utilizes one of the company's clever innovations, the so-called Magic Seat from the related Fit hatchback, which features a flip-up rear seat cushion to accommodate tall and narrow cargo like a bicycle or a flat-screen TV. With all the seats in place, there's suitable space for five average-size adults, too. Besides the HR-V's flexibility, it also benefits from strong fuel economy figures and an unobstructed outward view.
Yes, the Force is strong with the Honda HR-V, but it's not without a twinge of the Dark Side. The admirable fuel efficiency comes at the expense of strong acceleration, and the infotainment system isn't as intuitive or easy to operate as rivals. That said, the HR-V received an Edmunds B rating, as have its chief competitors that include the more engaging Mazda CX-3, chic Fiat 500X and more rugged Jeep Renegade.
Performance and MPG
All Honda HR-V models are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on LX and EX trims. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is available as an option and is standard on the EX-L or if you add all-wheel drive.
In Edmunds testing, an HR-V EX-L Navi with AWD accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds, making it one of the slowest in the class.
What the HR-V lacks in performance, it makes up for with efficiency. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 28 mpg combined (25 city/33 highway) for the front-wheel-drive HR-V with the base manual transmission. With the CVT, the estimate increases to 31 mpg combined (28 city/34 highway). The all-wheel-drive HR-V splits the difference at 29 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway). These are as good as they get for the class, and our real-life results support these estimates.
Safety
Standard safety features for all Honda HR-V models include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot display is included in both EX and EX-L Navi trim levels.
In Edmunds brake testing, an EX-L Navi AWD stopped from 60 mph in 124 feet, which is an average distance among competing SUVs. In government crash tests, the HR-V was awarded five out of five stars for overall and side-crash protection and four stars for front-crash and rollover protection. Similarly, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the HR-V its best grade of Good for moderate-offset front-impact protection, roof strength, and head restraints and seats. For the small-overlap front-impact and side crash tests, it earned the second-best score of Acceptable.
Additional Information
The 2017 Honda HR-V may be priced and sized below Honda's other SUV offerings — the CR-V and Pilot — but Honda's smallest SUV offers plenty of functionality and value for shoppers in the market for a subcompact utility vehicle. Built on the Honda Fit platform, but significantly larger than the hatchback, the HR-V makes the most of its size with seating for five and a configurable 60/40-split folding rear seat that provides up to an impressive 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Primarily a carryover model, the 2017 HR-V's only noteworthy change from the previous year is a new color choice, Lunar Silver metallic, which is a slightly darker hue than the outgoing Alabaster Silver. Other than that, Honda chose to stick with the formula that has resulted in strong sales for the HR-V, including exterior styling that is conservative but refined with pleasing lines and a generous amount of outward vision.
In addition to plenty of cargo space, the interior of the 2017 HR-V offers quality materials, reasonable comfort and a host of standard and available technology features. Feature-laden as the HR-V may be, it is worth noting that the 7-inch touchscreen on the EX and EX-L trims isn't as easy to use as those of some competitors, and the infotainment system doesn't yet support Android devices.
Still, the cockpit is pleasant and functional. The versatile backseat, which Honda calls the Magic Seat, has multiple modes to accommodate long, tall or bulky items.
Power for all HR-V trim levels is provided by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. And like its larger stablemates, all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The base transmission in the LX and EX models is a six-speed manual, while a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. Ordering the EX-L model or AWD brings the automatic as standard equipment.
Although performance lags behind most rivals (zero to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds in Edmunds testing), the resulting fuel economy puts the HR-V near the top of its class. The EPA rates the FWD automatic-transmission model at 31 mpg combined (28 city/34 highway), while the AWD version is rated at 29 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway).
The base HR-V LX trim level comes well-equipped with features that many buyers have come to expect as standard equipment, such as air-conditioning, Bluetooth capability and a rearview camera. The EX model ups the ante with more luxury and convenience goodies, while the top-of-the-line EX-L Navi trim offers leather seating surfaces and a navigation system. Whatever your needs in a subcompact SUV, let Edmunds help you find the right 2017 Honda HR-V.
2017 Honda HR-V Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Honda HR-V and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 HR-V featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Honda HR-V and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 HR-V 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 HR-V.
Vehicle
EX-L w/Navigation 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
Review
I knew basically what I wanted but did not know what would give it to me. I looked around and had never heard of the HR-V until I was looking at a CR-V and remarked to the salesman that it was bigger than I wanted. He asked if I had looked at the HR-V. He had one. I looked it over and the salesman and I took a test drive. It had the magic seats that I really liked in the Fit. It was bigger, which I was looking for, quieter, nicer ride, etc. The features were excellent although the USB, HDMI, and 12 volt power supply are inconveniently located. At the time I was driving my F150. I took it home and came back with my Fit. I then took the HR-V for a ride by myself. I took it home and got my wife and we went for a ride, curvy road, highway, etc. I just had to have it back before the dealership closed. This was a Saturday. I bought it the next week. I just returned from a trip where I drove from Arkansas to Maryland and back. I have no regrets. The car performed fine in every respect, ride, comfort, mileage, etc. The automatic climate control is wonderful. I filled up in Cumberland, MD and stopped for the night in Morehead, Kentucky with still about a third of a tank of gas. I filled up when I left Morehead and had a third of a tank or so when I got home. I used the Honda Nav app that I downloaded to my IPhone as my GPS. I carried my regular GPS along just in case. The Honda Nav App was great. A $60.00 down load, an HDMI cable, a lightning adapter from Best Buy, and a USB charge cord for the IPhone to keep the phone charged and forget the regular GPS. It runs through the 7" display. I am extremely pleased with the HR-V, price, features, ride, everything. I had no problems in the mountains in West Virginia or Maryland. I mostly left it on economy the whole trip until I hit the mountains and then I turned it off for the the extra power. Car did fine. I now have approximately 16k miles on it. Have had it about 54 weeks. I have taken it to northern Illinois, Maryland 4 times, and Florida once. I am extremely happy with the HRV. I will be taking it to south Dakota soon. Note, it cruised the SD 80 mph speed limit with no problem and I have had no problems in the mountains with it. I basically set economy on and left it. Very seldom do I take it out of economy. I had my 2016 HRV EX for approximately 14 months. I put approximately 18,800 miles on it. I had no complaint with the car at all. I traded it in about 5 months ago on a 2017 HRV EX-L-Navi-AWD. The main reason I traded was I wanted an AWD. I took it to northern Illinois over Christmas. I cannot say anything negative about the HRV at all. Even with the upgrade to AWD it still gets good mileage, although I did drop some from the 2 wheel drive, but then that is to be expected. The HRV goes about 10,000 miles between oil changes. For me it has been a great car. I wanted something bigger than the Fit but smaller than the CRV. The HRV fit the bill perfectly. It rides and handles well. Acceleration is very adequate but it is not a race car. The acceleration, even on mountains is very adequate. I have run mountains in Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia, and South Dakota. In my opinion they are great cars. Just returned from a 12 day trip to Arizona. Have also taken the 2017 HRV to northern Illinois and Maryland. Will be going to Maryland again, likely within the next 3 weeks. I love the car. It is plenty big and comfortable for two people to travel in. We also have a Honda Cross Tour. It is a very nice car also. We used it for trips until I got the HRV. Now we use the HRV for trips. If we were traveling with more than just my wife and I we would use the Cross Tour but the HRV is perfectly fine for two people to travel in. Plenty of room for our stuff, plus souvenirs and stuff we pick up along the way.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Honda HR-V
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Honda Hr-v earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 2.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Honda HR-V 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: EX, EX-L w/Navigation, LX
Exterior Colors: Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Milano Red, Misty Green Pearl, Aegean Blue Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Mulberry Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Deep Ocean Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Black leather, Gray cloth, Gray leather
Popular Features: Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Back-up camera, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Auto Climate Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Heated seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Sunroof/Moonroof, AWD/4WD, Leather Seats, Navigation, Aux Audio Inputs
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
