Honda redesigned the HR-V for 2023. It’s finally moved from the old Honda Fit platform to the Civic platform, which means the new HR-V is more powerful, bigger, and more practical. It comes in three trim levels, including Sport trim. But is the new 2023 Honda HR-V Sport trim really sporty or is it just a trim level?
What is the difference between the 2023 Honda HR-V LX and the Sport?
The base version of the HR-V is the LX version. Step up to the Sport trim and you get a more aggressive front grille, gloss black spoiler, and special exhaust tip on this SUV. The Sport also gets unique 18-inch split-spoke black wheels. So it’s not really a “sporty” version like, say, the Honda Civic R, with its wings and loud exhaust. But it’s a step up from the LX, which has basic cloth seats and a four-speaker stereo. However, all 2023 HR-Vs get a new fully independent suspension that improves ride and handling compared to the 2022 HR-V.
The top-level version of the HR-V EX-L comes with a honeycomb grille insert, gloss black trim, and 17-inch wheels. All HR-Vs come with a non-sport 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower. Although the new engine is more powerful than the old one, it is still tied to a continuously variable transmission. However, to add some sportiness, Honda added staggered gears, which simulate full-throttle gear changes.
Does the 2023 HR-V Sport have navigation?
Navigation is standard on the 2023 HR-V EX-L trim. Sport and LX trim levels have to make do with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. With them, you can use your phone’s navigation to get turn-by-turn directions and maps. The screen in the Sport version is a 7-inch touch screen.
Is the 2023 HR-V bigger?
The 2023 Honda HR-V is larger in every dimension. It is longer and wider than the 2022 version because it rides on the new Honda Civic platform. The 2023 version’s wheelbase is about nine inches longer than the 2022 version. That means you get a lot more room, especially in the rear. The 2023 HR-V holds 55 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which is a generous amount of space.
The new platform also made the HR-V safer. The HR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from Insurance Road Safety Instituteor IIHS. That little plus symbol means this SUV is in the top tier of all vehicles tested by IIHS. To earn the +, IIHS evaluates auto parts most of us wouldn’t think about until we needed them, like headlight covers and seat belts.
The 2023 HR-V earned a “superior” rating for its standard front crash-avoidance system, which is part of the HondaSensing driver-assist software package, which is standard on the HR-V. Add pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and more. So far, NHTSA has not rated the new 2023 Honda HR-V.
How much will the 2023 HR-V cost?
The 2023 HR-V starts at $23,650 in base LX trim. The mid-level Sport trim starts at $25,650 for the front-wheel drive version, or $27,150 for the all-wheel drive version. The top EX-L trim is $27,450.
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