2021 Honda HR-V Review

Name: 2021 Honda HR-V Review
Brand: Honda
Price: 16095 USD

2021 Honda HR-V Sport 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2021 Honda HR-V Touring 4dr SUV Exterior

+170

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.

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2021 Honda HR-V Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

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

Cons

Lackluster acceleration
Palpable engine noise and vibration
Touchscreen interface is difficult to use

What's new

Tinted rear glass now standard on Sport trim
Part of the first HR-V generation introduced for 2016

Overview

The Honda HR-V has been on the extra-small SUV scene since 2016 and has made a name for itself as a value-packed vehicle with a clever folding back seat (Honda calls it the "Magic Seat") and a comfortable ride. Honda hasn't done much to change the HR-V over the past five years, and as a result, some of its competition has muscled in on its turf.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$124/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The all-new and ultra-stylish Mazda CX-30 brings some real premium flair to the class, while Kia offers both the Soul and its new Seltos as feature-rich competitors. This once sparsely populated class also has competitive entries from Hyundai, Buick and Fiat, all of whom have had time to catch up to the HR-V's early dominance. The HR-V is in need of an update, but does it still have enough practicality and value to fend off its rivals? Read our Expert Review to get an in-depth take on the 2021 HR-V.

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 the HR-V 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 for adults to spread out 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 the 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

8.5/10

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 it's 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 small and hard to see and reach. 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. The HR-V's warranty and cost of ownership 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?

We like the EX for its mix of features and value. It's also the least expensive trim level to come standard with Honda's suite of advanced driver aids. Added to that you get a sunroof, heated seats and keyless entry for only a few thousand dollars more than the base LX.

2021 Honda HR-V models

The 2021 Honda HR-V is offered in four trims: LX, Sport, EX and EX-L. 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 continuously variable automatic transmission.

LX
Keeps thing basic with:

17-inch alloy wheels
5-inch infotainment touchscreen
LED brake and daytime running lights
One USB port

Sport
Adds features and style with:

18-inch alloy wheels
Roof rails
Foglights
Paddle shifters
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Two USB ports
Gloss black exterior trim

EX
Includes a few nice-to-have features, such as:

Keyless ignition and entry
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Sunroof
Heated front seats
HD and satellite radio

Honda's suite of advanced driver aids, known as Honda Sensing, is standard on the EX and EX-L trims. It includes:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the HR-V and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the HR-V back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

EX-L
Tops the range by adding:

Leather seating surfaces
Upgraded 180-watt audio system
Auto-dimming rearview mirror

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 2021 Honda HR-V.

5 (65%)

4 (6%)

3 (17%)

2 (0%)

1 (12%)

4.1

32 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

HRV’s are the best

TM, 06/16/2021

2021 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

I’ve purchase/leased 4 HRV’s over the past 4 years. Nice looking cars, plenty of cargo space and great gas mileage. Most important of all to me: they are the perfect combination of size and safety features for our kids. That was the reason we bought the first one, and they haven’t disappointed. 2 slight annoyances though: 1.) You can get a slight shimmy at higher speeds, when heavier …

Dependable workhorse

Pawel K, 02/12/2021

2021 Honda HR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

- Honda reliability. Older design for both the frame and the engine. Which means this will be reliable vehicle for years to come. All the kinks are worked out over past few years. - I don't care for audio system. It could use redesign. Specifically, I will be missing USB-C port and blutooth android/apple car play. - The engine is not as efficient as I would like and is underpowered but …

I love my HR-V!

Nina, 06/18/2021

2021 Honda HR-V Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

I chose the Sport because I love the android auto/apple carplay for myself and passengers to play their playlists with apps. Smooth drive, way more comfortable seats than my old car. I could probably drive in this for hours and my back not hurt. I like that it tells me if I'm wasting gas by the way I drive and I like the all electronic dash. Still getting used to sitting higher but I'm …

Good for teen drivers

K Ford, 07/26/2022

2021 Honda HR-V LX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

As a driving instructor I recommend Honda HRV. The reason is its good visibility, reliability, and safety. The engine has enough power so a teenager can’t really accelerate too fast and lose control. That said it’s a light car, meaning it’s not a heavy Ford truck or a beefy Chevy. But it’s still a better choice. Rear wheel drive cars like Fords and Chevys are harder to control and can …

See all 32 reviews of the Honda HR-V

Write a vehicle review

2021 HR-V Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,020
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

See all features & specs

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
Poor
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Poor
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Honda HR-V Review

2021 Honda HR-V Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.05 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?

2021 Honda HR-V models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

HRV’s are the best

Dependable workhorse

I love my HR-V!

Good for teen drivers

2021 HR-V Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}