2026 Honda HR-V

Honda elevated the HR-V above many competitors when it launched the second generation in 2023, securing it to the same foundation as the Civic. This transformation brought with it a more spacious cabin and a notably higher level of refinement. We like the HR-V for its user-friendliness, Honda dependability, spacious cabin, and top safety scores.

Russ Heaps contributed to this report. 

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Honda HR-V.

The 2026 model year is the HR-V’s mid-cycle freshening. The 158-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) carry over, along with the HR-V’s roomy cabin, but it now comes with more standard convenience features. Exterior enhancements include new paint colors and wheel designs. Every HR-V now has a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a wireless device charger.

You can add all-wheel drive (AWD) to any of the three HR-V trims for $1,500. Historically, buyers seem most fond of the LX and Sport trims, with all-wheel-drive models selling in greater quantities than front-wheel-drive versions.

Because subcompact SUVs are wildly popular, the segment is crowded with competent competitors like the Mazda CX-30, Toyota Corolla Cross, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, and the Subaru Crosstrek. They all start in the mid-$20K region. The CX-30 and Crosstrek both come with all-wheel drive as standard.

Before buying a new HR-V subcompact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Like many Honda models, HR-V resale values are above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The HR-V neither inspires nor offends. Its 158-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder tends to the cautious, comfort side of things, with a CVT that makes the engine whine in protest when the foot is heavy on the throttle. It lacks the verve of the 191-hp CX-30, and the relatively larger size of the HR-V makes it a bit heavier and slower.

Still, in normal everyday driving, the HR-V is calm and pleasant. Sharing much with the Civic, the steering feel has satisfying heft, and it handles with more agility than the CR-V. It’s a relatively quiet and composed on the highway, but is easy to park, and has excellent outward vision. It’s all well-sorted and balanced, in the Honda way, and is one of the comfiest subcompact SUVs we’ve tested.

Fuel Economy

With all-wheel drive (which most buyers choose), the HR-V nets 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Compare this with the comparable all-wheel-drive Toyota Corolla Cross, returning 30 mpg combined, and the Kia Seltos, returning 29 mpg. Front-drive versions of the HR-V fare one mpg better at 28 mpg combined.

The HR-V has an inviting, comfy cabin with the ideal blend of style and function. It reigns among the top-tier passenger areas in the segment. Rear legroom is also better than most at 37.7 inches. Cargo volume of 24.4 cubic feet behind the back seats is about average.

Who would have thought that some of the most affordable new SUVs also sport really attractive designs? For example, we admire the looks of the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. And this Honda HR-V. Like the interior, it comes across as more expensive than it is. There’s a presence to it while not being polarizing. At 15 feet long, the HR-V is also one of the larger contenders in this subcompact class.

Tiered Console
The HR-V is larger than rivals, but Honda still optimizes that extra space. That’s most evident in the smart center console area. The wireless device charger sits below climate control panel, then cupholders separate it from the gear shifter. Then it narrows into a thin band with a drive mode selector and a few other functions, which all sits over an open recess with USB-C ports, optimally to stow or charge other devices. Deep door pockets also reflect the great use of space.

Smart Entry with Walk-Away Auto Lock
“Did I lock the car?” This question invariably springs to mind just as your plane takes off and you see all the long-term parking lots becoming smaller. With this feature, which is standard in the top two trims, such angst becomes a thing of the past.

Honda Sensing
Standard on every HR-V, Honda Sensing is the bundle of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and lane departure warning with steering assistance.

Rear side-impact airbags
Among the HR-V’s eight airbags, rear side-impact airbags are standard across the lineup. That’s not always the case with rivals.

Active noise cancellation
We like how every HR-V comes with active noise cancelation that uses the audio system’s speakers to neutralize unwelcome sound waves. It makes the cabin feel more premium.

Automatic Climate Control
We appreciate a climate control system you can simply set and forget, letting the system automatically adjust the controls to maintain the preset temperature. A single-zone system is on the lower trims, it is a dual-zone system on the EX-L.

A 158-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder pairs with an automatic transmission of the continuously variable (CVT) variety. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is optional across the lineup.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The HR-V has a basic new-vehicle warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This protection is typical for mainstream companies like Honda, although Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi offer better terms.

Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2026 HR-V the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also gave it a maximum 5-Star overall score.