2020 Honda HR-V

The Honda H-RV is available in 5 trims depending on your budget and feature requirement. The base trim is raw bones with very minimal features and the Sport trim has some features which are as exclusive to that trim only. Broadly, the following are the key features in all the trims:

Model	LX	Sport	EX	EX-L	Touring
MSRP	$20,820	$22,520	$23,970	$25,570	$28,890
Key Features	141-hp, 16-Valve SOHC i-VTEC Engine	Features from the LX trim as standard and additional features	Features from the Sport trim as standard and additional features	Features from the EX Trim as standard and additional features	Features from the EX-L trim as standard and additional features
	Available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System	Available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System	Available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System	Leather-Trimmed Seats Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift Knob	Standard Real-Time AWD with Intelligent Control System
	5-Inch Color LCD Screen with USB Audio Interface and Bluetooth Audio Streaming	7-Inch Display Audio Touch-Screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Standard Honda Sensing Safety Suite and Honda LaneWatch	Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror	Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
	17-Inch Silver-Painted Alloy Wheels	Sport-Exclusive 18-Inch Alloy Wheels	17-inch Unique Silver-Painted Alloy Wheels	180-Watt Audio System with 6 Speakers and Chrome Speaker Rings	Driver's Seat with 8-Way Power Adjustment
	60/40 Split 2nd-Row Magic Seat	Sport Mode with Dual-Mode Paddle Shifters and Sport Pedals (Exclusive to Sport Trim)	HondaLink Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock		HomeLink Remote System
	Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines	Body-Colored Rear Roofline Spoiler with Gloss-Black Underbody Spoilers and Roof Rails	One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature		Body-Colored Underbody Spoilers
	Halogen Projector-Beam Headlights with LED Taillights	Fog Lights	Heated Front Seats and Push Button Start		LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off and LED Fog Lights

All trims come with 17-inch wheels as standard with corresponding all-weather tires with it. The Sport trim is an exception with 18-inch wheels and performance tires for sport enthusiasts. While the Touring trim comes with AWD as standard, there is an option of upgrading to the all-wheel-drive for an extra $1,500. 

Our Recommendation

From the trims available, we would recommend the EX trim as it has most of the features that would be needed to make the car a worthy daily driver. You can also add the front and rear parking sensors to it so that the car will intuitively assist in parking and offer a complete value-for-money package. Opt for the AWD only if you absolutely need it, otherwise it will just add weight to it which might overwhelm the car.

Honda engines are built to last and offer peak performances under all circumstances to maximize the driving experience. The 2020 H-RV comes with a 1.8L inline-4 cylinder engine which generates a decent 141 hp @ 6500 rpm and 127 lb-ft of torque at 4300 rpm.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
MRSP	$20,820	$20,100	$17,490	$22,145
Engine	1.8L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder
Transmission	CVT- Automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual	6-speed manual
Horsepower(hp)	141 @6500 rpm	147@ 6200	147 @6200	152 @6000
Torque (lb-ft)	127@ 4300 rpm	132@ 4500	132 @4500	145 @4000

In the typical Honda fashion, the car offers the peak power at high revs and peak torque in the mid-rpm range. The Honda engine is undercut by the competition since its competitors have a better performing engine at the price bracket.

How fast does it go?

The Honda H-RV and its competitors are not particularly made for racing. Being one of the budget crossovers and trying to live to the Honda tag, the engine seems to have taken quite the blow since it is quite unresponsive. Floor the pedal and instead of a refined growl, a noisy clatter will fill your ears.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
0-60 MPH	8.6 secs	6.6 secs	6.3 secs	10.3 secs
Quarter mile	N/A	14.9 secs	16.5 secs	16.8 secs
Engine	1.8L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder	2.0L Inline-4 cylinder
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The pickup of the car is sluggish and you might feel like it is getting pushed to its boundaries. Despite being a reliable brand, the H-RV engine is just uninspired. Even getting up a small climb seems like a daunting task as the torque is just about enough to pull the 2900 pound car. Adding the AWD only adds to the weight and might get overwhelming for the engine to pull it at any inclination.

 What about the Stopping power?

All the trims of the 2020 Honda H-RV have 17-inch unique silver painted alloy wheels. These are married to 215/55R17 all-weather tires. The Sport trim features 18-inch wheels, which come with the high riding 225/50R18 all-weather tires. Considering it is one of the heaviest cars of its segment, Honda has done a marvelous job with the optimization of the brakes.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
Brake Front	11.5 inch- Disc	12-inch- Disc	11-inch- Disc	11.6-inch- Disc
Brake Rear	11.1 inch- Disc	11.2-inch- Disc	10.3-inch- Disc	10.8-inch- Disc
60-0 performance	121 ft	129 ft	143 ft	118 ft
Curb weight (lbs)	2906	2890	2802	3117

Going by the figures, the car comes to a stop in a remarkable 121 feet which is the shortest in its class. The car comes with ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist as standard across all trims.

The EX trim also offers an additional feature in the braking department. It is the Collision Mitigation Braking System which automatically brings the vehicle to a halt when it detects a pedestrian in its path.

 How well does it Handle?

Considering its a subcompact crossover, the car has the charismatic Honda handling. The suspension setup in the Honda H-RV is a McPherson strut arrangement in the front and a torsion beam arrangement in the rear for the 2WD variant. A DeDion suspension setup for the rear is used if you opt for the AWD variant. The setup is well-tuned and covers ground over potholes without causing any discomfort to the passengers. On a curvy road, the H-RV will definitely put a smile on your face.

Steering the 2900lbs car is not at all difficult as the car offers fairly responsive feedback to the driver. The car is very nippy in the city but tends to have some body-roll in cornering. Taking it up on hills or trying to get a sporty thrill out of the car might not be a great idea since the car does not offer any sporty or off-roading character and you will just end up getting disappointed. If 2WD is not something you’re enthusiastic about, you can always opt for the laid back AWD which will add additional weight but give you a more stable driving experience.

Despite being regarded as an SUV, the H-RV offers the best in class fuel economy. Honda engines are one of the most efficient in the business and the H-RV is just another example of this methodology.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
MPG (city)	28	27	25	22
MPG (highway)	34	33	31	29
MPG (combined)	30	30	27	25

Great mileage is particularly where the 1.8L engine shines and becomes one of the USPs of the subcompact crossover. With a fuel tank capacity of 13.2L, the car offers a city range of 370 miles and a highway range of 449 miles which helps the car to come out as the segment leader.

The H-RV LX trim comes with a mono-tone interior while the upper trims feature the dual-tone color scheme. The interiors may not get your pulse spiked but will surely impress you with the finesse and elegance of the build quality.

The three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel is standard and offers much-needed ease of access to the vehicle’s multimedia features. The LX trim features a 5-inch LCD screen with USB audio capability while the upper trims feature the 7-inch touch screen infotainment display with Bluetooth audio streaming.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	39.5/56.8/38.3	39.6/55.5/37.8	39.4/55.5/39.5	39.8/56.7/38
Rear (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	38.3/54.5/39.3	37.8/54.5/34.6	39.5/54.7/38.3	38/55.6/36.5

The car also features the Honda Magic seats, which help in altering the cargo space. The seats are very comfortable and offer a congenial ride to both the front and rear passengers. The thigh support could have been better but for the price its being offered at, the seats are still adequate enough. The driver may experience an occasional bump of the knee to the dashboard due to the expansive size of the dashboard.

Average people have ample legroom and headroom but taller guys might find a bit of a struggle. The sloping roofline adds to the struggle as the rear headroom takes a hit too.

The interior does a good job of shutting out most noises from the outside but it is certainly not the quietest. With Active Noise cancellation as standard in all trims except the base trim, sound damping could have been better and the engine does get noisy at times which can get irritating. The lower trims feature a knob set-up for the A/C controls while trims upwards of the EX feature the Honda touchscreen digipad.

Infotainment System

The Japanese carmaker has equipped the H-RV with an infotainment system in all trims. The LX trim features a 5-inch LCD screen with audio capability. Upper trims feature a 7-inch full touchscreen display. The following are the features that it comes equipped with:

• Honda Satellite linked navigation system with Voice Recognition
• 160 Watt audio system with 4 speakers (LX trim)
• 180 Watt audio system with 4 speakers (Sport trim)
• 180 Watt audio system with 6 speakers (upper trims)
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto
• Bluetooth Handsfree link
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Radio Data system
• Pandora compatibility
• Honda Link
• SMS Text Message function
• Speed-sensing volume compensation
• SiriusXM Satellite and HD Radio Connectivity

Though the infotainment system is pretty straightforward and easy, it can get a little confusing at times. Overall, there is no shortage of tips and tricks in the Honda H-RV to keep you info-tained.

What about Cargo Space?

Cargo space is the one department where Honda has proved its mettle with the Honda H-RV. The car proudly boasts of 24.3 cubic feet of storage space in the back which is the best in its segment. It can easily store 2 medium-sized suitcases and a few duffle bags with space for 2-3 baseball bats and the ball left over. The cargo section also features a cargo light which helps a lot in darker surroundings.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
Cargo space (cubic feet)	24.3	19.2	24.2	20.8

If you feel you’re running out of space in the back, then be prepared to be amazed by the clever 60/40 folding Honda Magic Seats. The ingenuity of these seats can be seen when you fold them. The seats are designed to match the floor level of the cargo area, and essentially, the car offers a variable cargo space based on your requirement. With the seat down, the car will give you a total of 53.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

Additionally, there are door pockets that have a good amount of space to carry daily traveling supplies. There is a dual usage cup holder in front armrest along with a storage section, and cup holders with storage in the rear center armrest as well. The glove box is surprisingly roomy and features an internal light in the top trim.

Other features that the car comes loaded with are:

• 5-inch Audio capable LCD screen or 7-inch Touchscreen infotainment system
• Illuminated steering wheel controls
• Honda Magic Seats
• Adjustable center armrest for the front seat
• Moonroof with power control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Auto High Beam headlights
• LED Daytime running lamps
• Honda Link
• Air conditioning with filtration system
• Illuminated driver window and door lock controls
• Driver side garment hook
• Rear seat heater ducts
• Dual usage cup holders
• Cargo area light
• Power adjusted driver seat (Touring trim only)
• USB Charging ports in the front and rear
• 60/40 Folding rear seat

The H-RV underwent a mid-cycle refresh in 2019 and the 2020 model doesn’t deviate from that design. Giving it a quick glance, from the front, the trademark Honda style with the wide grille and aggressive headlamps makes its appearance. Evidently, the car can fool you with its subcompact look that can likened to a tall compact car.

Models	Honda H-RV	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul	Subaru Crosstrek
Curb weight (lbs)	2906	2890	2802	3117
Length (in)	170.4	164	165.2	175.8
Width (in)	69.8	70.9	70.9	71
Height (in)	63.2	61	63	63.6
Ground clearance (in)	7.3	6.7	6.7	8.7
Wheelbase (in)	102.8	102.4	102.4	104.9

The design language is impressive but seems like a love child of the Honda Pilot and the Honda Accord with the high riding stance and sloping roofline. A body-colored roofline spoiler is also elegantly tucked in at the rear end of the car. It has a very clean look and you won’t be disappointed with the style quotient of the H-RV. The salient features of the crossover are:

• Rain Sensing Variable speed intermittent windshield wipers (Sport and above)
• Reverse Linked Intermittent rear window wiper
• Projector Beam Halogen headlamps
• Power side mirrors
• One-touch moonroof with tilt (EX and above)
• Rear Privacy Glass (EX and above)

In case you forget to lock your car and walk away, the car has smart entry with a walk-away auto-lock feature which will lock the car as soon as the key sensor is more than 10 feet away from the car.

As in the previous model year, there are a lot of safety features that come as standard in the H-RV. Regrettably, to keep costs low, the lower trims lack some essential safety features. All trims above the Sport come with many safety features that can be very useful in the normal driving days and some features that become an absolute necessity on the highway.

Other features that make it stand out in its class are:

• Collision Mitigation Braking system
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Multi-Angle rearview Camera
• Vehicle Stability with Traction Control
• Anti Lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Dual Stage SRS Airbags
• Roll Over Sensor
• 3-point safety belts with two way tensioner
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

With the ACE type body shell, the car shell has designated crumple zones and reinforced sections to make sure that passengers are safe in the event of a collision.

Honda H-RV Vs Hyundai Kona

South Korean auto conglomerate, Hyundai’s Kona SUV is a well-equipped vehicle that certainly has the feel of a semi-premium car and yet holds its own with a refined engine, almost the same amount of space and coming in $700 lesser than the Honda. Though Honda H-RV is more fuel-efficient, the cars cannot be more evenly matched with Hyundai Kona taking the pole position by a very narrow margin.

Honda H-RV Vs Kia Soul

Daughter brand of South Korean giant Hyundai, Kia’s Soul is battling it out for supremacy with the H-RV in the subcompact crossover segment. Often confused as a wagon or a hatchback due to its form factor, the car is based on the Kona platform. With more cargo space than the Kona, the Kia Soul continues to be a practical and thrilling vehicle. Enabled with the optional turbocharged engine, the car becomes one of the fastest in its segment. The H-RV offers a better fuel economy, more cargo space, and better safety features to trump out the Soul and be abetter buying choice at a slightly higher price.

Honda H-RV Vs Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru, the contender from Japan, known for its boxer engines and off-road capabilities, has the Crosstrek competing with the Honda H-RV. A practical car with AWD as a default across all trims along with the added capability for off-road, the Crosstrek is perfect match for adventurers. With the lesser price, more safety features, best-in-class fuel economy, and segment-leading variable cargo space, the Honda H-RV makes the case for being the better option among the two.

While the lack of much-needed safety options in the lower trims and an underperforming engine does cost it the pole position, the subcompact crossover by Honda is a great vehicle. Honda Magic Seats and superb fuel economy help beat out the competition by a big margin. Awarded the Top Safety Pick for 2019 by IIHS and overall 5-star rating by the NHTSA in 2020, the Honda H-RV builds on the same premise of its predecessor and takes it forward. If you want something that can offer safety, practicality, and usage, give this car a serious consideration.