2020 Honda HR-V

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Rating6.1

Ranked #13 in 

SUV
Write Review
$20,820 - $28,890
Starting Price 
Amratya Nigam's image
Amratya Nigam 

Automotive Journalist,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious cabin

Engine lacks punch

No new changes on offer

Impressive fuel efficiency

Seats aren't the most comfortable

Excellent road visibility

Fit and finish not up to Honda standards

Specs & Features

$20,820

price

141 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

127 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Slotted beneath the best-selling CR-V, the 2020 Honda HRV is one of the best offerings in the subcompact SUV segment, primarily due to its perfect middle-ground approach. It is the jack-of-all-trades, while also being the master of interior space, especially in the rear seats. The performance segment might not be the best with the 141 hp 1.8L Inline-4 engine, but for a starting price of MSRP $20,820, you can't really complain, can you?

Trends are ever-shifting, especially in today's age. The oil crunch has made the general public more appreciative of smaller, more frugal options, and this is where the 2020 HR-V jumps in with its segment-best combined 30 MPG. On the front of the new changes, the 2020 Honda HR-V carries over the same specs and features list as that of the 2019 Atlas, as it was heavily revamped that time around.

Buying Advice

The Sport trim is better than the base trim and comes at a marginal premium. It gets all the good options, including paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The All-wheel drive variant won't be missed, as this is a car strictly meant for the Urban Sprawl.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2020 Honda HR-V is a simple and functional car that doesn’t occupy much space wherever it goes. It sips rather than gulps down fuel and keeps the passengers within as comfy as a typical sedan of equivalent value would. At a starting price of MSRP $20,820, it isn’t too hard on your bank balance too. The rivals of the 2020 Honda HR-V include the likes of the Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-3, and Toyota C-HR. So, should you go out and splurge money on this little Honda? The competition is fierce in this segment, as every manufacturer wants a piece of the “commuter segment” pie. Does the HR-V retain value in the face of competition? Let's move ahead and find out.

Features
5.0/10

The 2020 Honda HR-V SUV comes with 5 trim options; two new ones were added over the previous model. The trims on offer go by the names LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with prices starting from an MSRP of $20,820 for the base trim, and going all the way up to $28,890 for the top-end Touring trim. The 6-speed manual transmission is gone, which is fine since this was never an enthusiast’s car, to begin with. The base variant has a simple CVT transmission, and all other trims get the same with flappy paddle manual mode. Anyone who has used Honda cars before will sing praises for its reliability and dependability.

Trim

LX

Sport

EX

EX-L

Touring

MSRP

$20,820

$22,520

$23,970

$25,570

$28,890

Key Features

Electric Parking Brake with hill hold assist

In addition to the LX trim features

In addition to the Sport trim features

In addition to the EX trim features

In addition to the EX-L features

 

Projector-Beam Halogen headlights

Honda LaneWatch

Auto-On/Off Headlights

Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel and gear knob

LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off

  Body-Colored, Power Side Mirrors

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature

180-watt Audio system with 6 speakers

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic

 

Eco Assist system

Exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels

Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock

Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror

HomeLink Remote System

 

Roof Rails

Lane Keeping Assist System

Heated, Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators

 

8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat

 

Security System with Remote Entry

Adaptive Cruise Control

Heated front seats

   

We Recommend

The Sport trim is better than the base trim and overall comes at a marginal premium. It gets all the good options, including paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The All-wheel drive variant won’t be missed if you don’t opt for it, as this is a car strictly meant for the urban sprawl.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The 2020 Honda HR-V is EPA-rated at 28 MMPG in the city and about 34 miles to the gallon out on the highway. This is with the FWD setup. Going for the AWD setup brings the MPG ratings down to 27 and 31 miles to the gallon out in the city and highway respectively. Merge that with the 13.2-gallon fuel tank, and the HR-V is able to go for 449 miles on the go without stopping over for fuel.

Model

2020 Honda HR-V

2020 Toyota C-HR

2020 Mazda CX-3

2020 Chevrolet Trax

MPG (city)

28

27

29

26

MPG (highway)

34

31

34

31

MPG (combined)

30

29

31

28

Fuel Capacity 13.2 gallons 13.2 gallons 12.7 gallons 14.0 gallons

The engine might be underpowered and the CVT unit might not deliver the appropriate effect one would want from it, but it certainly adds on as a huge benefit while providing these figures. The Mazda CX-3 is the most efficient here, achieving a class-leading 31 MPG combined, followed closely by the HR-V.

Interior
6.0/10

The 2020  Honda HR-V ranks well among subcompact SUVs because it delivers ample passenger and cargo space - Cars.usnews

The Honda CR-V used to be one of the most spacious soft-roaders to ever grace American shores. The 2020 HR-V follows in the same footsteps, with the most spacious front and rear seats in the segment. The segment is composed of not-so-spacious cars though. Tall people in the rear don’t have enough room, and in the front, don’t leave much room. When compared to its competitors, the Honda doesn’t seem too small though. While none of the cars here have a spacious rear cabin, Toyota’s CH-R is horribly cramped around the rear leg area. The HR-V comfortably takes the lead here, with class-leading shoulder and legroom for its passengers.

The biggest advantage of purchasing an SUV is the magnificent trunk space that comes along with it. Anyone who has ever used Honda HR-V will attest to the fact that this car simply gobbles up your luggage. The HR-V's 24.3 cu. ft of space would shame most sedans in the market, and hold the top spot in the segment. The rear seats can fold traditionally with a 60:40 split for bulky luggage. Apart from that, you can also fold the seats upwards to use the under-seat area as well. As such you can fit taller cargo in the rear cabin and use the trunk for other luggage. 

Model

2020 Honda HR-V

2020 Toyota C-HR

2020 Mazda CX-3

2020 Chevrolet Trax

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (in.) (Head/ Shoulder/ Leg)

39.5/ 56.8/ 41.2

38.1/ 49.0/ 43.5

38.4/ 53.5/ 41.7

39.6/ 54.1/40.8

Rear Row (in.) (Head/ Shoulder/ Leg)

38.3/ 54.5/ 39.3

38.3/ 52.5/ 31.7

37.2/ 50.4/ 35.0

38.8/ 52.8/ 35.7

Cargo Capacity 24.3 cu. ft 19.1 cu. ft 17.8 cu. ft 18.7 cu. ft

The Infotainment unit on the 2020 Honda HR-V is a 5-inch LCD screen, that is offered with the base trim. The other trims on the block get a rather much more intuitive and responsive 7-inch touchscreen system. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available with eh 7-inch system. Audiophiles also need not worry, as Honda provides a standard 6-speaker premium sound system across the trim lineup.

Other standard infotainment features include:

  • Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Guidelines
  • Bluetooth Streaming Audio
  • USB Audio Interface
  • Remote Entry
  • Apple Carplay
  • Android Auto

Some of the key highlights of the 2020 Honda HR-V's interiors are:

  • Leather-trimmed heated front seats
  • Automatic climate control system
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Steering mounted paddle shifters
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • One-touch power moonroof
  • Push-button start
  • 60/40 split second-row seats
  • Illuminated center console
  • Illuminated door-sill trim

Exterior
5.0/10

The HR-V’s new front end, previewed earlier this year by its Japan-market cousin, the Vezel, seems to mirror that of the Civic and the CR-V, with a more prominent chrome grille insert and LED headlamps, at least on the model shown in the initial photos provided by Honda - Car and driver

On the exterior front, the 2020 Honda HR V wheels in at just over 170 inches in length. The wheelbase is just under 103 inches, which when combined with the high roof, liberates plenty of space inside. At 2906 pounds, the Honda HR-V is one of the lightest SUVs in the segment, which helps with handling as well as efficiency.

On the styling front, 2020 HR-V doesn’t push any boundaries. The front grille is very reminiscent of the smaller Honda Fit, as are the headlights. The tail design has a slight hint of funk, with flowing lines on the trunk lid merging with the taillamps. The C-pillars are thick, and integrate the rear door handles into their design. This leaves the rear doors clean and smooth and gives the car a faux-2-door look.

Model

2020 Honda HR-V

2020 Toyota C-HR

2020 Mazda CX-3

2020 Chevrolet Trax

Curb weight (lbs.)

2906

3300

2851

3124

Length(in)

170.4

172.6

168.3

167.2

Width(in)

69.8

70.7

69.6

69.9

Height(in)

63.2

61.6

60.7

64.9

Ground clearance (in)

7.3

5.9

6.1

6.2

Wheelbase (in)

102.8

103.9

101.2

100.6

Track width (in) F/R

60.4/60.6

60.6/60.6

61/61.2

60.6/60.6

The HR-V sports a plethora of exclusive design elements that set it apart from the segment. Some of these highlights are:

  • Sport grille with black honeycomb pattern
  • Sport blackened side sills
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • LED Daytime running lights
  • Intermittent rear wiper
  • Rear spoiler

Safety
6.0/10

Honda equips the 2020 HR-V with the latest set of active and passive safety features now that the Honda Sensing suite tech is standard now across the trim board. The 2020 HR-V also performs pretty well in terms of safety crash tests, as the HR-V gets a full 5 on 5-star rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS honors it with the Top Safety Pick rating for 2020.

Standard safety features in the 2020 HR-V include:

  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • LED Daytime Running Lights
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Lane change assist
  • Lane departure warning
  • Adaptive Cruise control
  • Turn-signal-activated Honda LaneWatch
  • Child Safety Locks
  • Traction Control

Competition
9.0/10

2020 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Chevrolet Trax

With an efficient powertrain put together with a spacious interior and large boot space, the HR-V is otherwise different from the Chevrolet Trax. But driving dynamics are better in the Japanese HR-V SUV and so are the features available in the base model. Priced similarly, the competition is stiff, however, due to Honda’s practicality, it sweeps the Chevrolet Trax away.

2020 Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3

Another Japanese car shootout, both these cars are neck to neck in all the significant criteria, such as price, power output, and even fuel efficiency. The Mazda is a better performer though, while the Honda has an unmatched amount of space in the cabin. While the CX-3 is unmistakably fun, the HR-V surprisingly is too. Overall, the 2020 Honda HR-V is a better all-rounder here.

Final Verdict

Set aside the performance front of the SUV, the 2020 Honda HR-V aces all the necessary criteria for buyers in this segment. You can easily fit in 5 adults in relative comfort, and arguably better than in some premium sedans. It also has a better road presence than a sedan, along with better visibility as well. The final verdict is a no-brainer; go buy the 2020 HR-V!

Trims

    LX
    $20,820 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Remote keyless entry
    Sport
    $22,520 onwards
    • 18-inch machined w/painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    EX
    $23,970 onwards
    • Automatic Front air conditioning
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated mirrors
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    EX-L
    $25,570 onwards
    • Leather Seat trim
    Touring
    $28,890 onwards
    • 17-inch machined w/painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • Navigation system

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,820- $28,890

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.11

Horsepower

141 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

127 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$23,200- $30,800

Gasoline

6.38

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,995- $43,600

Gasoline

6.2

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

192 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,800- $35,700

Gasoline

6.61

170 hp @ 5600 rpm

203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,995- $27,715

Gasoline

5.78

123 hp @ 6000 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 6000 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,885- $36,835

Gasoline

7.36

181 hp @ 6000 rpm

177 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$25,000- $40,600

Gasoline

7.12

170 hp @ 5600 rpm

203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,300- $29,350

Gasoline

7.36

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$26,275- $39,575

Gasoline

7.32

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,840- $38,495

Gasoline

6.59

180 hp @ 6400 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2020 Honda HR-V

    Ranked #10

    9 sec16.8 sec117 mph
    7.4 sec15.7 sec124 mphreddit
    7.7 sec16 sec110 mph
    8.1 sec15.4 sec114 mph
    8.2 sec16.3 sec-
    8.3 sec16.5 sec122 mph

    2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      28 mpg34 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/448.8 mi.
      26 mpg35 mpg30 mpg14.5 gal.391.5/507.5 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/435.6 mi.
      28 mpg34 mpg30 mpg14 gal.392/476 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg30 mpg14.8 gal.399.60/488.40 mi.
      27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/409.2 mi.

      2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2020 Honda HR-V

        Ranked #18

        170.4 in.69.8 in.63.2 in.5.4 in.102.8 in.
        187.8 in.74.4 in.66.1 in.7.3 in.108.9 in.
        185.1 in.72.4 in.66.3 in.7.9 in.109.8 in.
        184.5 in.72.4 in.68 in.7.8 in.106.5 in.
        183.7 in.72.4 in.66.8 in.6.2 in.108.3 in.
        183.1 in.72.6 in.65.4 in.7.6 in.107.3 in.

        2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2020 Honda HR-V

          Ranked #20

          24.3 cu.ft.100.1 cu.ft.58.8 cu.ft.
          18.8 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.48.4 cu.ft.
          20.9 cu.ft.91.1 cu.ft.65.4 cu.ft.
          33.5 cu.ft.104 cu.ft.65.4 cu.ft.
          31 cu.ft.102.2 cu.ft.61.9 cu.ft.
          22.6 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.48.9 cu.ft.

          2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            9.6 cu.ft.24.3 cu.ft.58.8 cu.ft.-
            50.8 cu.ft.18.5 cu.ft.50.8 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            17.1 cu.ft.26.9 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.-
            54.7 cu.ft.25.8 cu.ft.54.7 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            83.1 cu.ft.20.9 cu.ft.65.4 cu.ft.82 ft.

            2020 Honda HR-V vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2959 lbs.1095 lbs.2906 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1089 lbs.2890 lbs.
              4500 lbs.1000 lbs.3590 lbs.Jeep USA
              2000 lbs.1118 lbs.3056 lbs.Jeep USA
              2000 lbs.1034 lbs.3541 lbs.
              2000 lbs.-3298 lbs.

              2020 Honda HR-V SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              67

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              #10

              2020 Honda HR-V User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              JK

              Jann Knight

              2019 Honda HR-V

              EX 4dr SUV (1.8L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 23, 2024

              My 2019 Honda HRV

              Pros - ["Gas Mileage", "Cargo space"]

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              This car has been a great help to our family. We have two large dogs and when we need to take them to the vet or they want to take a ride in the car we can put the back seats up and they can lay on the floor in the back. They like that better than the patch because they can see us and we can touch them if we need to calm them down. We shop at all the big box stores and we can fit eight huge cases...

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