2020 Honda HR-V Review

Name: 2020 Honda HR-V Review
Brand: Honda

Price Range: $18,995 - $24,998

+275

Spacious and fun to drive on curvy roads, the HR-V is a good choice in the subcompact SUV segment. Utility is top-notch, and it has a comfortable and quiet cabin. Unfortunately, the underpowered 1.8-liter engine is too noisy, and some of the tech can be frustrating to use.Read full review

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2020 Honda HR-V Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Relatively roomy seating
Versatile for carrying cargo
Above-average fuel economy
Excellent outward visibility

Cons

Unimpressive power output results in lackluster acceleration
Palpable engine noise and vibration
Touchscreen interface is difficult to use

What's new

No significant changes this year
Part of the first HR-V generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Subcompact SUVs have a pretty fine line to walk. On the one hand, their diminutive size makes them ideal for urban environments or for buyers seeking good fuel economy with a higher than average seating position. But they still need to be practical, so space efficiency is at a premium. The 2020 Honda HR-V manages to walk this line quite well and remains one of our favorite small SUVs on the market.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$124/mo

$162/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The HR-V's spacious and flexible cargo area is one of its biggest strengths. A thoughtful rear-seat design (Honda calls it "Magic Seat") flips up, allowing you to carry taller items while still folding down in a more traditional manner to open up cargo capacity through the rear hatch. Interior comfort is good as well, and the HR-V can be used for longer journeys without a second thought.

But in a very un-Honda-like manner, the engine is thrashy and underpowered and can be genuinely unpleasant when merging on the freeway or climbing a long grade. Competitors such as the Mazda CX-3 and Kia Soul both offer more refinement. In the big picture, however, the HR-V's value for money and practicality make it a smart pick for a pint-size crossover.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the HR-V drive? If the HR-V had a bit more power, it would get a very high score in this segment. The steering and handling are top-notch. And thanks to a well-tuned suspension, the HR-V handles well and can put a smile on your face on curvy roads. Body roll is kept to a minimum, and it displays a good sense of balance.

The engine and transmission, however, are always underwhelming, leading to a less rewarding driving experience. The Honda HR-V's 1.8-liter engine is reasonably equipped to handle routine driving on flat ground. But it can feel stressed on long grades, during short freeway merges, or if you need to floor it to pass someone quickly. At the Edmunds test track, 0-60 mph took 10.4 seconds — one of the longer times in the segment.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the HR-V? Getting up to speed is not a comfortable part of the HR-V ownership experience because of the raucous noise from the underpowered 1.8-liter engine. The noise gets downright loud and whiny, and it is accompanied by vibration if you floor it. It's even noticeable when accelerating around town.

Once you're up to speed, though, the seats and ride quality are relatively good. The touchscreen climate control suffers from some usability issues, but the system controls cabin temps very well. The HR-V is certainly comfortable enough for a road trip.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The HR-V's interior is one of its best features, with plenty of room to spread out for adults in the front or back row. The driving position is good due to lots of adjustability. Forward and side visibility is excellent thanks to well-placed and slim front pillars, a low dashboard, and a large windshield and windows. Rear visibility is good, and the HR-V's blind spot is very small thanks to large rear windows.

Many controls are easy to understand and operate, and we like the array of buttons on the steering wheel. But we are not fans of the touchscreen audio and climate control systems. The main touchscreen finally has a volume knob, but otherwise simple tasks require distracting glances and manipulation of the touchscreens.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The HR-V has some desirable safety features that used to be restricted to more expensive cars. Plus, it gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on Sport-and-above trim levels. The voice controls and standard touchscreen controls are weak spots on an otherwise tech-friendly car.

In EX-and-above trim levels, the HR-V includes Honda Sensing, which is Honda's suite of safety aids. Those include adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist and lane departure mitigation. The systems work relatively well, although adaptive cruise control keeps a pretty long following distance — even on the closest setting.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The HR-V is the class leader when it comes to cargo space, both with the rear seats up and with them folded. And that folding rear seat is unlike no other. Cargo capacity is beat slightly by the Kia Soul (by only 0.2 cubic foot) but still excellent at 23.2 cubic feet, or 55.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded — much more than the Mazda CX-3 or Jeep Renegade. Car seat accommodation is good thanks to a big back seat, but getting a seat secured isn't as simple as we'd like.

Small-item storage, however, is not impressive. There isn't much space in the center console or in the doors for any of your small items. There are some interesting under-console storage areas, but they're hard to see/reach and small, too. The cupholders are merely average.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The HR-V does pretty well at the pump for a subcompact SUV with all-wheel drive. It's rated at 28 mpg combined (26 city/31 highway), which is above average for this class of vehicle.

Value

7.5/10

Is the HR-V a good value? For the money, the HR-V offers a lot of equipment, but savvy buyers may upgrade to a larger vehicle, such as Honda's own CR-V, for a similar price. Warranty and cost of ownership in the HR-V are average for the class, with a few rivals offering longer warranties and the first scheduled maintenance for free. Fuel economy is good but no longer class-leading.

The inside of the HR-V is a well-built and attractive place. There are a few cheap plastics in the cabin if you look hard enough, and competitors such as the Mazda CX-3 and the Kia Soul offer a more pleasing aesthetic, but you're not likely to feel like you're driving a cheaply built car.

Wildcard

7/10

It won't stand out in a parking lot or wow your friends when you pull up to the softball game, but the Honda HR-V is pretty fun to drive relative to its size and price. For a bit more personality or style, we recommend competitors such as the Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul or Mazda CX-3.

Which HR-V does Edmunds recommend?

Situated right in the middle of the available trim levels, we like the EX for its mix of standard equipment and good value for money. Creature comforts include heated front seats and a moonroof, and Honda Sensing is also included for not much more money than the base LX. All-wheel drive is available should you live where there's inclement weather.

2020 Honda HR-V models

The 2020 Honda HR-V is offered in five trims: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring. All trim levels have the availability of all-wheel drive and are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 127 lb-ft of torque) mated to a CVT automatic. Each ascending trim level offers a greater level of standard features, and with no option packages available, it makes the buying process pretty straightforward.

Although the LX is the base model, it still includes all the practicality of the top trim level as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, a 5-inch LCD radio display and Bluetooth streaming audio. Missing is Honda's safety suite of driver aids, Honda Sensing, which is available on the EX and above. The Sport trim takes the LX and adds 18-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and paddle shifters.

The EX trim includes Honda Sensing, heated front seats, an upgraded sound system, and a power moonroof. Stepping up to the EX-L furnishes the HR-V with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. And the top trim Touring adds standard all-wheel drive, satellite navigation, an eight-way power driver's seat and LED headlights.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda HR-V from 2008-2022.}

$321/yr

vs. $435/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.29x/yr

vs. 0.69x/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.1%

vs. 10.7%
for Average Subcompact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Honda HR-V.

5 (64%)

4 (16%)

3 (10%)

2 (5%)

1 (5%)

4.3

39 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 39 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Neat, luxury, suv

Lovy, 08/07/2020

2020 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

I love my hrv! It looks small from outside, but is bigger inside. I wish it had more trunk space but I rarely use it anyway. I love the magic backseats. I got EX and it’s like WHOA! It’s everything!!! I’m a 4’11” plump little thing so it’s very short people friendly and my mom is tall and very plump and she has plenty of room. I easily got my niece’s car seat in the back and she …

Love the AWD option!

Pimentel, 07/10/2020

2020 Honda HR-V Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

Fuel goes LONG way with this awd model! Handles great in snow! The backseat folds down as well as up and rear seat can be split at same time so its a great asset for space! The downside, lacks moon/sun roof, flimsy body, has an active recall and not even a year old...also I do miss my 14yr old car when I plug a phone in to charger because it only charges while running but that is …

Peppy agile super quiet- Love the HR-V

Vel, 06/26/2020

2020 Honda HR-V EX-L 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

This car is easy to maneuver and it’s so quiet you don’t even know is running half the time. Compared to my Nissan rogue there is no comparison. I will never own a Nissan again basically because the transmission died within five years and Ison refused to replace it or repair it. I am very very satisfied with my Honda and I will be buying a Honda probably for the rest of my life. The …

2020 Honda HR-V EX

GK, 09/01/2020

2020 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

My new Honda HR-V is my next leased vehicle from Honda, had Civic before. The only reason I chose HR-V as I need a higher car, and didn't want to switch to other makers, as I have been very happy with Honda for 9 years. If you looking to buy, I would say, look for CR-V. If you are interested in lease, go with HR-V. Drive nice, even it only has141 hps. Good fuel economy. Everything …

See all 39 reviews of the Honda HR-V

Write a vehicle review

2020 HR-V Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,820
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the HR-V models:

Honda LaneWatch: Reduces blind spots by displaying an image of the lanes next to the HR-V's passenger side in the central touchscreen.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera: Displays several angles when in reverse, including a top-down bumper view. Sport models add guidelines that move when the wheel is turned.
Honda Sensing: Added on EX models and above, this suite of safety features includes forward collision warning and lane departure mitigation.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Poor
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Honda HR-V Review

Price & Payment

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AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2020 Honda HR-V Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which HR-V does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Honda HR-V models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Neat, luxury, suv

Love the AWD option!

Peppy agile super quiet- Love the HR-V

2020 Honda HR-V EX

2020 HR-V Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}