The 2024 Honda HR-V is a subcompact SUV that doesn’t feel like one. It escapes many of the drawbacks common to subcompacts.
It’s surprisingly spacious for such a small vehicle, with more cargo space than a Hyundai Venue or Chevy Trailblazer.
It’s built on the same platform as the larger Honda Civic and CR-V. Those cars come from a more expensive class. By using their underpinnings for the HR-V, Honda engineers were able to build a more sophisticated suspension than the price range might make you expect.
That gives the HR-V a smoother ride and gives it an upscale feel.
The HR-V was redesigned for the 2023 model year, so Honda has seen no need to update it for 2024. It’s sold in three trim levels — base LX ($24,100), mid-level Sport ($25,650), and premium EX-L ($27,650). The best-selling model is the top-of-the-line EX-L. Because of its affordable price, many HR-V buyers can afford to splurge.
Let’s take a look at what the 2024 Honda HR-V EX-L includes.
Available AWD
Many carmakers keep prices low on their subcompact SUVs by leaving out the feature people most associate with SUVs — grippy all-wheel drive (AWD).
Honda, however, builds the EX-L in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD. All-wheel drive adds $1,500 to the car’s price. So, if you live where it rarely snows, you might want to save money by forgoing it. But if cold weather is a fact of life where you live, the available AWD system adds a measure of safety to winter driving.
9-Inch Color Touchscreen
The LX and Sport models get a 7-inch color touchscreen. It’s sufficient for daily needs, but we like the added real estate of the 9-inch model found on the EX-L. More screen surface means larger icons, which you can operate with barely a glance, keeping your eyes on the road. Honda designers had the good sense to mount the screen high, so you don’t have to look down to change a setting.
The HR-V EX-L also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other trims require a wired connection.
Leather-Trimmed, Heated Seats
Subcompact SUVs may not make you think of luxury car features. But the 2024 HR-V EX-L has creature comforts that might surprise you in a sub-$30,000 car. The driver gets an 8-way power-adjustable front seat, and both front seats include heaters.
Leather seating surfaces are standard on the top trim.
Power Moonroof
The EX-L is the only HR-V model with a moonroof. On a gorgeous spring day, it’s an investment you’ll be glad you made.
Honda Sensing Safety Features
Every HR-V comes standard with Honda’s excellent Honda Sensing suite of safety features. It includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control. Our editors love Honda’s Traffic Jam Assist system, which takes over some of the driving work in the kind of high-traffic, low-speed conditions that cause so much driving fatigue.
EX-L buyers also get front and rear parking sensors.
More About the 2024 Honda HR-V
Build and price your own 2024 Honda HR-V to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see HR-V models for sale near you.
