The 2023 HR-V Comes in Three Trims, Which Is the Best?
A new, larger, Honda HR-V is heading to dealerships now. There wasn’t much wrong with the previous version of the HR-V, but the new one is bigger, more powerful, and a lot more sophisticated. Critically, it’s keeping its low price and friendly features. But, the all-new 2023 Honda HRV offers three trim levels, from the base LX version to the fully-optioned EX-L. So which is the best?
Is the Honda HR-V worth buying?
The second generation of the HR-V SUV is 100% new, but it keeps its value and updates its styling. All HR-Vs get new Body Stabilizing Seats that are designed to hold passengers more firmly, and higher-quality materials and updated technology. Honda designed the large cargo hold with a low lift-over height of just 27 inches to make getting heavy stuff in the back easier, too. All HR-Vs get a seven inch color digital display for the driver and a 7-inch center touchscreen tied to the Honda Sensing system.
The new HR-V is built on the Honda Civic platform, which gives it a 1.7-inch longer wheelbase than the previous version that was built on the Fit platform. Every new HR-V is powered by an efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 158 horsepower. While not everyone is a fan of CVT automatic transmissions, the new CVT has Honda’s step-shift programming that simulates gear changes and feels for more natural. It also adds a hill-decent control button that controls the HRV’s speed going downhill.
How much is a new Honda HR-V?
The HR-V starts at $23,650 and goes all the way up to $28,950. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option on any HR-V, before destination fees. All versions can be ordered with a variety of packages such as the protection packages, the HPD Package, or the Rugged Package which all have a variety of fender flares, splash guards, and door trim.
| 2023 HR-V Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings – City/Hwy/Comb.1 | |||
| Trim | MSRP | MSRP Plus $1,245 Destination Charge | EPA Mileage Rating City/Hwy/Comb |
| LX (FWD) | $23,650 | $24,895 | 26 / 32 / 28 |
| LX (AWD) | $25,150 | $26,395 | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| Sport (FWD) | $25,650 | $26,895 | 26 / 32 / 28 |
| Sport (AWD) | $27,150 | $28,395 | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| EX-L (FWD) | $27,450 | $28,695 | 26 / 32 / 28 |
The base LX Version is the value leader
The big thing that’s missing on the LX version that’s standard on the other versions of the HR-V is the blind-spot information system. It has a single-zone HVAC system, and simple gray 17-inch wheels. IT comes standard with Honda Sensing driver’s aids, cloth seats, heated mirrors, Bluetooth audio, and a four-speaker stereo. However, it packs a lot in for less than $24,000. Reviewers, like those at The Drive, said even in base trim it’s better than the 2022 HR-V.
The HR-V in sport trim may be the best
The 2023 Honda HR-V Sport trim gets several exterior updates that let it make the most of the styling updates. It gets a mesh grille, a gloss-black rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust tip, as well as 18-inch wheels. Critically, it gets one of our must-have options, heated seats, as well as remote engine start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and rear privacy glass.
In the Sport trim, you get the new tech, engine and styling, (and heated seats) but not the superfluous stuff like the leather-trimmed seats of the EX-L.
The EX-L makes the bigger CR-V look enticing
The EX-L comes with power, leather-trimmed, seats, a nine-inch center screen, wireless charging in the front, a moonroof, and dual-zone climate control. On the styling front, it gets gloss-black door pillars and gloss-black trim on the front and rear bumpers. The Sport and LX trim comes with Honda Sensing, but the EX-L does have parking sensors, low-speed braking control, a multi-angle rearview camera, and a lane-keeping assist system. But, at about $28,000 it may make more sense to step up to the new for 2023 Honda CR-V, which is much roomier and more powerful than the HR-V.
