2025 Honda HR-V review

2025 Honda HR-V Review: 

Honda returned the HR-V virtually unchanged for 2025, fresh off its redesign in 2023. The HR-V is a very competent vehicle with seating for five. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard features on a seven-inch touchscreen, though keep in mind that for 2026 Honda made a nine-inch touchscreen and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard. 

There's just one engine available with the HR-V, and it's merely fine on horsepower, but its EPA-estimated 28 mpg in combined driving^† is competitive with the fuel economy of similarly sized SUVs. The HR-V also comes standard with a lot of desirable driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a lane centering system. The HR-V also tops RepairPal®'s scoring for its class of extra-small SUVs, and it gets excellent crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

The HR-V's biggest drawbacks are its front seats, which are not as comfortable as what you'll find in some rivals. And the interior is not as high-tech as what you'd find in something like a Hyundai Kona. But otherwise, the HR-V is good enough at enough things to make it worth a look. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2025 Honda HR-V have?

Connectivity

The HR-V comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. To get the nine-inch touchscreen with wireless versions of those features, you've got to spring for the top trim EX-L … or buy a 2026 or newer HR-V, which comes standard with the bigger screen. If you prefer plugging in, there's a data and charging USB-C port in the front center console. Unfortunately, rear seaters will have to do without since there are no rear ports. 

Infotainment

The system is easy to use, with large icons to tap and a fairly responsive interface overall. The biggest downside is that there's no native navigation system available on any trim. While using a smartphone is a good substitute most of the time, if you're in an area with spotty cellphone coverage, you might wish for native navigation. The nine-inch touchscreen is a nice upgrade if you spring for the EX-L trim, but the seven-inch screen works just fine. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Honda includes the most important driver-assist technology as standard equipment on all HR-V trims, which is a nice step up from some of its competitors. That means regardless of which HR-V you get, there's lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and even traffic jam assist. Sport and EX-L trims get a bit more, including blind-spot detection with a rear cross-traffic monitor. The HR-V's driver aids generally work well, and Edmunds' testing found them to work well, although some warnings came a bit too early.

How comfortable is the 2025 Honda HR-V? 

Front Seating

The front seating area is a mixed bag. On one hand, there's plenty of space, so even tall drivers will have lots of headroom and legroom, and the driver's reach to the steering wheel and controls is good. Unfortunately, the front seats aren't particularly comfortable. The bottom cushion is flat and hard, and there aren't very many adjustments. Even the eight-way power adjustments on the top-trim EX-L don't include adjustable lumbar, and it needs it. If you're planning on spending hours on end behind the wheel, the HR-V won't be the best choice.

Rear Seating

By contrast, the rear seats are great. They're comfortably padded, with plenty of room in all directions, and the seatbacks have enough of a recline to be genuinely comfortable. Best of all, you don't have to be a child to enjoy them since there's plenty of space for adults, too. The biggest downside is the lack of rear air vents, leaving rear passengers to rely on feeling the air from the front vents.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

With the caveat that this is a budget-minded vehicle, the HR-V has a smooth quality around town. The suspension soaks up bumps surprisingly well; you'll notice them, but only the worst pavement upsets this small SUV. On the highway, there's some wind noise, but overall the HR-V is fairly quiet considering it's a budget-minded SUV. 

Does the 2025 Honda HR-V have good storage?

Cargo 

The HR-V doesn't have the biggest cargo space in its class, but it's up there, and what it lacks in sheer volume it makes up for with ease of use. The low floor makes it easy to heft large items into the cargo area, and once there, this little SUV has more space than you might expect. The seats fold in a 60/40 split, so you can retain two belted positions in the back if you need to carry a long object. For very large items, the rear seatbacks fold almost flat, making it easy to load and unload.

Storage

Storing small items in the cabin is relatively easy. There's a nice storage tray under the console that's big enough for a small bag or your wallet and smartphone; it's where the USB-C ports are. Ahead of the shifter is a small storage area with the wireless charging pad, and the center armrest bin is decently sized. Beyond that, there are two big cupholders in the center console, but only a moderately sized glovebox and door pockets. 

How easy is the 2025 Honda HR-V to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The HR-V's doors open wide, and the vehicle's ride height is ideal for easy entry and exit. The big door openings also make it easy for parents to install car seats, especially with the easy-to-find lower anchors and upper tethers. Even younger kids should have little problem climbing into their boosters on their own, great for that "I can do it!" phase.

Interior Layout and Visibility

Honda keeps it simple inside the HR-V. The gauges use a half-digital display that can be configured to show different functions, and the touchscreen is parked atop the dash, making it easy to see and reach. Thankfully, Honda includes physical knobs for its climate control, and the steering wheel buttons are sensibly laid out as well. Visibility is great thanks to ample glass area, although it'd be nice to have a 360-degree camera view; sadly, that feature's not available on the HR-V.

What’s the 2025 Honda HR-V like to drive?

Driving

There's only one engine available for the HR-V: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While 158 horsepower sounds like plenty, in reality, the HR-V is one of the slowest in its class from 0 to 60 mph. Granted, its competitors aren't exactly "fast" either, but the HR-V is slow to respond to the gas pedal and pick up speed. This means it takes longer to pass slower traffic or even just get up to freeway speeds.

Aside from that, the HR-V is pleasant to drive. While not exactly a fun SUV, the HR-V gives you a comfortable ride around town without being so soft it causes carsickness on a winding road. The brakes feel solid and reassuring. There are SUVs that are more entertaining to drive than this, but the HR-V is overall competent. 

Towing

Honda doesn't recommend towing with the HR-V, which isn't unusual for this class of small SUV. If you really need to tow with something this small, the Subaru Crosstrek might be a better option, although a larger vehicle might be worth considering.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency^†

The HR-V's fuel economy is overall competitive in its class. Front-wheel-drive models get an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined city/highway score, and all-wheel-drive models get 27 mpg combined. During testing, Edmunds noted that the HR-V exceeded those scores handily, which bodes well for the ability to achieve the EPA ratings in the real world. Note that other subcompact SUVs have better EPA scores, though, and that there are even a couple of hybrid options, such as the Toyota Corolla Cross. 

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates