2020 Honda HR-V

The 2020 Honda HR-V is a simple and functional car that doesn’t occupy much space wherever it goes. It sips rather than gulps down fuel and keeps the passengers within as comfy as a typical sedan of equivalent value would. At a starting price of MSRP $20,820, it isn’t too hard on your bank balance too. The rivals of the 2020 Honda HR-V include the likes of the Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-3, and Toyota C-HR. So, should you go out and splurge money on this little Honda? The competition is fierce in this segment, as every manufacturer wants a piece of the “commuter segment” pie. Does the HR-V retain value in the face of competition? Let's move ahead and find out.

The 2020 Honda HR-V SUV comes with 5 trim options; two new ones were added over the previous model. The trims on offer go by the names LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with prices starting from an MSRP of $20,820 for the base trim, and going all the way up to $28,890 for the top-end Touring trim. The 6-speed manual transmission is gone, which is fine since this was never an enthusiast’s car, to begin with. The base variant has a simple CVT transmission, and all other trims get the same with flappy paddle manual mode. Anyone who has used Honda cars before will sing praises for its reliability and dependability.

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The Sport trim is better than the base trim and overall comes at a marginal premium. It gets all the good options, including paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The All-wheel drive variant won’t be missed if you don’t opt for it, as this is a car strictly meant for the urban sprawl.

The HR-V retains the sprightly and eager handling of the Fit hatchback on which it's based, but don't push it too hard - Car and Driver

Hondas are known for their free-revving and exciting engines. The 2020 HR-V features the same 1.8L Inline-4 engine as the 2018 HR-V, and redlines at 6700 rpm, good for the segment, but not good enough for a naturally aspirated Honda. The 2020 HR-V puts out a decent 141 hp under the hood, enough for a breezy drive from point A to B. The HR-V won’t set your pants on fire, but nobody can argue with the price tag.

The Continuously Variable transmission smoothens your drive and makes for an extremely supple ride. It isn’t lightning fast, and noise and vibrations constantly creep into the cabin. While it isn’t prominent, it could be annoying on longer drives. The lack of a manual gearbox for the 2020 HRV reduces its excitement factor. The CVT automatic is slow, programmed for efficiency and comfort rather than performance. Compared to the competition, the little Honda doesn’t feel too slow. The 2020 Honda HR-V is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just about 9.6 seconds, all the while crossing the quarter-mile mark in 16.8 seconds.

The little Honda prioritizes comfort over sportiness, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad handler. It isn’t fun, but perfectly functional. For the urban sprawl, this crossover is a great choice. Its tiny dimensions are perfectly suited to tight parking spots. It doesn’t encourage spirited cornering though. The ride quality is fine, with the suspension sprung neither too stiff nor too soft. There is no scope for dirt at all unless you’re willing to shatter your backbone. Stick to the tarmac, and you shall be greeted with a comfortable ride.

The 2020 Honda HR-V gets an 11.5-inch and 11.1-inch front and rear discs-all-around setup, great for shedding speed. The body too is quite light at 2906 pounds. An educated guess has us speculating the 60-0 stopping distance at just below 114 feet.

The 2020 Honda HR-V is EPA-rated at 28 MMPG in the city and about 34 miles to the gallon out on the highway. This is with the FWD setup. Going for the AWD setup brings the MPG ratings down to 27 and 31 miles to the gallon out in the city and highway respectively. Merge that with the 13.2-gallon fuel tank, and the HR-V is able to go for 449 miles on the go without stopping over for fuel.

The engine might be underpowered and the CVT unit might not deliver the appropriate effect one would want from it, but it certainly adds on as a huge benefit while providing these figures. The Mazda CX-3 is the most efficient here, achieving a class-leading 31 MPG combined, followed closely by the HR-V.

The 2020  Honda HR-V ranks well among subcompact SUVs because it delivers ample passenger and cargo space - Cars.usnews

The Honda CR-V used to be one of the most spacious soft-roaders to ever grace American shores. The 2020 HR-V follows in the same footsteps, with the most spacious front and rear seats in the segment. The segment is composed of not-so-spacious cars though. Tall people in the rear don’t have enough room, and in the front, don’t leave much room. When compared to its competitors, the Honda doesn’t seem too small though. While none of the cars here have a spacious rear cabin, Toyota’s CH-R is horribly cramped around the rear leg area. The HR-V comfortably takes the lead here, with class-leading shoulder and legroom for its passengers.

The biggest advantage of purchasing an SUV is the magnificent trunk space that comes along with it. Anyone who has ever used Honda HR-V will attest to the fact that this car simply gobbles up your luggage. The HR-V's 24.3 cu. ft of space would shame most sedans in the market, and hold the top spot in the segment. The rear seats can fold traditionally with a 60:40 split for bulky luggage. Apart from that, you can also fold the seats upwards to use the under-seat area as well. As such you can fit taller cargo in the rear cabin and use the trunk for other luggage. 

The Infotainment unit on the 2020 Honda HR-V is a 5-inch LCD screen, that is offered with the base trim. The other trims on the block get a rather much more intuitive and responsive 7-inch touchscreen system. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available with eh 7-inch system. Audiophiles also need not worry, as Honda provides a standard 6-speaker premium sound system across the trim lineup.

Other standard infotainment features include:

• Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio
• USB Audio Interface
• Remote Entry
• Apple Carplay
• Android Auto

Some of the key highlights of the 2020 Honda HR-V's interiors are:

• Leather-trimmed heated front seats
• Automatic climate control system
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Steering mounted paddle shifters
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• One-touch power moonroof
• Push-button start
• 60/40 split second-row seats
• Illuminated center console
• Illuminated door-sill trim

The HR-V’s new front end, previewed earlier this year by its Japan-market cousin, the Vezel, seems to mirror that of the Civic and the CR-V, with a more prominent chrome grille insert and LED headlamps, at least on the model shown in the initial photos provided by Honda - Car and driver

On the exterior front, the 2020 Honda HR V wheels in at just over 170 inches in length. The wheelbase is just under 103 inches, which when combined with the high roof, liberates plenty of space inside. At 2906 pounds, the Honda HR-V is one of the lightest SUVs in the segment, which helps with handling as well as efficiency.

On the styling front, 2020 HR-V doesn’t push any boundaries. The front grille is very reminiscent of the smaller Honda Fit, as are the headlights. The tail design has a slight hint of funk, with flowing lines on the trunk lid merging with the taillamps. The C-pillars are thick, and integrate the rear door handles into their design. This leaves the rear doors clean and smooth and gives the car a faux-2-door look.

The HR-V sports a plethora of exclusive design elements that set it apart from the segment. Some of these highlights are:

• Sport grille with black honeycomb pattern
• Sport blackened side sills
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED Daytime running lights
• Intermittent rear wiper
• Rear spoiler

Honda equips the 2020 HR-V with the latest set of active and passive safety features now that the Honda Sensing suite tech is standard now across the trim board. The 2020 HR-V also performs pretty well in terms of safety crash tests, as the HR-V gets a full 5 on 5-star rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS honors it with the Top Safety Pick rating for 2020.

Standard safety features in the 2020 HR-V include:

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane change assist
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive Cruise control
• Turn-signal-activated Honda LaneWatch
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control

2020 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Chevrolet Trax

With an efficient powertrain put together with a spacious interior and large boot space, the HR-V is otherwise different from the Chevrolet Trax. But driving dynamics are better in the Japanese HR-V SUV and so are the features available in the base model. Priced similarly, the competition is stiff, however, due to Honda’s practicality, it sweeps the Chevrolet Trax away.

2020 Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3

Another Japanese car shootout, both these cars are neck to neck in all the significant criteria, such as price, power output, and even fuel efficiency. The Mazda is a better performer though, while the Honda has an unmatched amount of space in the cabin. While the CX-3 is unmistakably fun, the HR-V surprisingly is too. Overall, the 2020 Honda HR-V is a better all-rounder here.

Set aside the performance front of the SUV, the 2020 Honda HR-V aces all the necessary criteria for buyers in this segment. You can easily fit in 5 adults in relative comfort, and arguably better than in some premium sedans. It also has a better road presence than a sedan, along with better visibility as well. The final verdict is a no-brainer; go buy the 2020 HR-V!

2020 Honda HR-V FAQs

What are the different trims on offer with the 2020 Honda HR-V?

The 2020 Honda HR-V is available in over 5 trims, namely LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with prices starting from an MSRP of $20,820 and which goes all the way up to $28,890 for the Touring trim. The features also get more and more premium as you move up the trim lineup.

How fast is the 2020 Honda HR-V from 0-60 MPH?

The 2020 Honda HR-V, with the 1.8L Inline-4 engine in place, allows you to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just about 9.6 seconds.

What takes care of the audio requirements in the 2020 Honda HR-V?

The audio requirements in the 2020 Honda HR-V are taken care of by a 4-speaker sound system in the base trims, whereas the top-most trims get a much better 6-speaker system.