2017 Honda HR-V: Cleverly Meeting Your Needs

Does this vehicle look like something else you’ve seen? Of course it does, the HR-V is a smaller version of the CR-V which is the best-selling crossover SUV on the market. In order to gain the popularity in the compact segment Honda took the same designs and dialed them down a few sizes, essentially making the HR-V appear to be a vehicle that’s been left in the dryer too long. This allows the HR-V to compete in the same class as the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Jeep Renegade to be a vehicle that leads the way when it comes to style and functionality for your daily driving needs.

When you want a compact SUV that offers you the fuel mileage you need and the price you’ve been looking for, the HR-V makes a great choice. This SUV has the ability to take on the deep snow, the harsh rain and still carry the gear you need to go along with you. As one of the most reliable brands on the market today, the HR-V is a vehicle that makes it easy for you to enjoy the resale value when it’s time to move on to something else. For 2017 there haven’t been any major changes to this SUV that has only recently entered the market, except there is one new color offered.

The standard offerings for the HR-V start with the LX trim and work their way up from there. This trim offers you a rearview camera, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a four-speaker audio system, USB and auxiliary ports and a five-inch color display. Moving up to the EX adds the LaneWatch system, a power moonroof, heated front seats, push button starting, SMS text messaging, a six-speaker audio system, a seven-inch touch screen and a touch sensitive climate system. It seems the EX would be the way to go if you can handle the added cost in your budget for this SUV.

Looking to the optional features of the HR-V you will find the EX-L offers a leather interior, a navigation system, Sirius XM satellite radio, HD radio, paddle shifters, an automatic transmission, the Real Time AWD system a rear skidplate, and roof racks for attachments to be added to carry skis, snowboards or bikes on the vehicle. Every model with an automatic transmission can make use of the Real Time AWD system, which is great for trudging through the snow or handling a downpour of rain whenever called upon to do so. With the options listed, you can see how this SUV can be the perfect vehicle for you to drive.

There’s only one powertrain offered for the HR-V and it starts with a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This engine is capable of producing 141 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque. The standard transmission offered is a six-speed manual that allows you to enjoy shifting on your own, but if you prefer you can have a CVT automatic to handle the various shift points for you. This powertrain allows you to enjoy 25 city/33 hwy mpg with the manual, 28 city/34 hwy mpg for the FWD automatic and 27 city/31 hwy mpg when equipped with the automatic in AWD models.

A bit bigger than it’s little sister, Honda CR-V, the HR-V is an affordable SUV that makes it easy to own and easy to love. The starting price for the LX model comes in at just a little under $20,300 while a fully loaded EX-L model will run you as much as $27,000. This makes for an easy vehicle for you to own and is one of the least expensive SUVs on the market, putting the starting point lower than most of the competition that the HR-V faces.

The HR-V feels like a lightweight and capable SUV on the road, because that’s exactly what it is. This little beauty will take off and respond to you much the same way a compact car would. Considering the powertrain is the same one you find in the new Civic, this isn’t a real surprise at all. The shifting is easy to enjoy and happens right away for you, making the CVT one of the best on the market. You’ll feel in control and planted to the road in the AWD versions of the HR-V that take to the road with ease.

Is this the right compact SUV for you? If you’re looking for something that can give you the dynamic drive and controlled road manners of a great AWD vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.