Honda knows the market and certainly noticed the rising demand for compact SUVs. It has put a lot of effort into making the 2021 Honda HR-V fit the needs of consumers. This SUV may be on the smaller side, but it has a surprising amount of interior room. It comes in several trims, and people will appreciate having the opportunity to get their new HR-Vs with numerous safety and entertainment features.
What's New in 2021?
The 2021 HR-V is pretty much the same as the 2020 model year. The exception is the Sport trim, which now has a rear window tint and new wheels.
Trim Levels
There are four available trims. The LX is the base model, and it's followed closely by the Sport. The top half of the lineup consists of the EX and EX-L, with the EX-L being the most premium HR-V there is.
What are the major differences between the trims? For starters, the Sport is the level at which smartphone compatibility become standard. This is going to be an important factor for many potential customers, especially those who have gotten accustomed to using their phones on a regular basis for so many different tasks. The Sport also has the addition of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sport pedals. At the EX level, there are a lot more upscale components, to include heated front seats, a moonroof, a smart keyless entry system, and driver-assist technology. The EX-L trim treats people to leather seats and a few other sophisticated elements.
Driving the HR-V
Just because the 2021 Honda HR-V is reliable doesn't mean that it's going to be the fastest or strongest vehicle out there. In fact, it's numbers aren't extremely impressive. However, many people aren't going to let that stop them from getting such a dependable and practical vehicle that's easy to drive and perfectly suited for everyday commutes.
The HR-V is powered by an in-line four-cylinder engine. It comes with just over 140 horsepower, and torque is a bit shy of 130 pound-feet. The engine has been paired with a continuously variable transmission. Most trims have paddle shifters to give people more control while they're behind the wheel.
All-wheel drive is available on every HR-V trim. Honda uses a real-time AWD system that can immediately respond to changes in road conditions by adjusting the way power is delivered to the front and rear wheels. Having available all-wheel drive helps toughen up the SUV and can make it more suitable for people who don't necessarily go off-roading but may occasionally run into snowy or icy weather.
In addition, the HR-V comes with Hill Start Assist. When this function is engaged while the vehicle is stopped on a sloped surface, the brakes will be held in place until the driver can press on the gas pedal to get the SUV moving again. Another nice feature is Active Noise Cancellation. It's include on the top three trims, and it can make the ride in the HR-V a little more quiet and peaceful.
A real benefit of driving this Honda SUV is the fuel economy that can be achieved. Front-wheel-drive HR-Vs can earn an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. With an all-wheel-drive HR-V, the mileage rating drops slightly to 27/31 (city/highway) miles per gallon.
Inside the HR-V's Cabin
People shouldn't write off the Honda HR-V as being too small for their needs until they actually see this vehicle in person. Leg room in the second row is almost 40 inches, and this is a very generous amount the most compact rivals aren't going to have.
The cargo area behind the back seats has a volume of about 24 cubic feet, and the rear seats can be lowered to expand cargo capacity to almost 60 cubic feet. What's even better is that the Honda has a Magic Seat in the second row. The Magic Seat can be folded down flat so that people can have an easier time loading bulky cargo in their vehicles. The Magic Seat also has seat cushions that can lift up. This lets people create more vertical space for items. Since the Magic Seat has a 60/40 split configuration, drivers can accommodate cargo and one or two passengers at the same time.
As mentioned earlier, the HR-V can come with leather seats as well as heated front seats. Power locks, power windows, and cruise control are all standard, as are interior storage compartments and vanity mirrors. Bluetooth is standard on the HR-V, and the Sport, EX, and EX-L have Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven-inch touchscreens.
Safety
The top two trims are equipped with Honda Sensing technology. The Honda Sensing package consists of several monitoring systems that can keep an eye out for potential issues. When it seems like certain types of accidents are imminent, the HR-V can prompt drivers to take action through audio and/or visual alerts. In certain situations, such as when a driver is about to rear-end the car in front or change lanes when another vehicle is in a blind spot, the Honda HR-V can actually take control of the situation. It would do so by hitting the brakes or correcting steering, only when appropriate.
Formula for Calculating Dealer Cost:
Total Dealer Cost - Rebate and Incentive + Taxes / Licensing Fees = True Dealer Cost. (You can get rebates and incentives here)
Note: All Honda HR-V MSRP, invoice and dealer cost dollar figures above are approximate amounts. Prices are subject to change without notice.
A note about rebates: Most rebates are subtracted from the "on the road" figure. In most cases, you can have the rebate if you are arranging your own financing or you are paying cash. If you decide to use the manufacturer’s low interest financing, you do not usually get the rebate. Ask your dealer for details.
