The Honda HR-V represented Honda’s first foray into the uber-competitive world of crossovers. Since the vehicle was introduced in 2017, Honda has enjoyed steady sales and a high level of customer satisfaction. Even though the vehicle is still young, Honda has already made some changes.

These include tweaking its appearance, incorporating some upgraded technology, and altering some of the safety features. With all of these changes, it’s natural to wonder just how safe the Honda HR-V is. 

What drivers love about the Honda HR-V

There are two things that attract drivers to the Honda HR-V. The first is the fuel economy. This vehicle is a true gas-sipper. You can anticipate getting 26-28 MPG while driving in town and 31-34 MPG on the highway.

The other thing drivers love about the HR-V is the storage. At first, it doesn’t seem like much, but Honda worked hard to make sure that drivers could fit a bunch of stuff in this vehicle. In the cockpit, there is plenty of storage in the center console, which is perfect for phones, snacks, and documentation.

Additional storage comes in the form of a map sleeve, a covered bin, and a few other cubby holes. Honda designed the HR-V with a lower floor which creates additional storage in the cargo area. All this storage makes it a great choice for getting groceries, hauling pets around, and transporting kids to band practice and sporting events. 

How safe is the Honda HR-V?

Crossovers like the Honda HR-V are starting to become a popular choice when drivers are looking for an economical and comfortable family vehicle, taking the place of station wagons and minivans. Drivers who are specifically in the market for a nice family vehicle are often more concerned about safety than someone who hasn’t yet started building a family and is simply looking for a nice point A-B vehicle. 

When it comes to safety, the Honda HR-V isn’t setting any safety standards, but it received good results. The  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the HR-V a four-star rating for frontal crashes and rollover accidents. It was awarded the full five-stars for side crashes. The overall crash impact rating is the full five stars. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the vehicle a superior rating for its performance in frontal crashes, an acceptable rating for headlight results, and a good rating in everything else.  

Consumer Reviews impressions 

Consumer Reviews typically awards Honda vehicles with a generous overall rating so it’s surprising to see that the HR-V was given an overall score of 66. While the 2020 HR-V’s are still too new to be accurately assessed, Consumer Reviews took data collected from past years and added in the complaints that have already been filed by drivers who already own a 2020 Honda HR-V and compiled a list of possible concerns. 

The vehicle scored a 66 out of a possible 100 on the road test. While the vehicle handles nicely, the issue the reviewer had with the vehicle was that it simply didn’t feel like it had sufficient power, particularly when it came to merging onto the highway.

They also noted that when it came to rough roads the vehicle didn’t absorb the shock as well as similar vehicles. They were impressed with how easy the vehicle was to maneuver in and out of tight spaces, such as crowded parking lots. The reviewer felt that of the various HR-V trims available, the Ex-L and Touring were the best options. 

In the reliability department, the HR-V earned a four out of five. Causes for concern included body integrity, power equipment, and in-car electronics. The good news is that while these are irritating issues, they’re not the type of problems that result in you getting stranded on the highway. 

While this is a nice vehicle that will keep your family safe while on the road, you should also consider the Subaru CrossTrek or the Nissan Rogue Sport.