How much bigger is the 2023 Honda HR

UPDATE: Honda has released a few more photos of the new HR-V for North America giving us a glimpse of its cargo space and the lower center console. According to the carmaker, the interior, that has yet to be revealed, will follow the design direction of the 11th-gen Civic. Honda added that it will also feature a more comfortable back seat and larger cargo area.  [4/12/2022]

The second-generation Honda HR-V is finally here and boy is it different. The vehicle that serves as genesis for this particular Honda model is far more compact and angular than the new crossover is. Now we have a vision of exactly what the 2023 HR-V looks like and how Honda wants it to affect the brand as a whole.

Every aspect of the exterior design is way more conventional but thankfully, the engine will get even more power. That won’t take much since the outgoing model makes just 141-horsepower (105 kW) from its 1.8-liter four-pot. What we can’t confirm yet is exactly how much more power the new car will make.

That might sound strange to customers from across the pond since Honda has already released an HR-V there. However, that model is actually a totally different beast so it’s not indicative of what we’re getting here. To make it even more confusing, Honda will also sell North America’s HR-V in European markets from next year, but in those places, they’ll change the name to something else they haven’t communicated yet.

Read: Honda Confirms America’s 2023 HR-V For Europe Under Different Name

Honda has made it clear that the US and Canadian market 2023 HR-V will ride on the same platform as the 11th generation Civic. That car has a wheelbase that’s about five inches longer than the outgoing HR-V so expect more space in both directions as Honda says it’ll be wider too without getting into specific numbers.

With that information in mind, it’s easy to surmise that Honda will use any number of engines from the Civic for the new HR-V. The base Civic engine already makes more power from it’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit at 158-hp than the 2022 HR-V. If Honda’s more adventurous, we could also see the compact model’s 180-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four making an appearance too.

Regardless of which motor they pick, it’s clear that Honda wants the new crossover to really bolster the whole lineup. “This new HR-V will advance its position as the segment leader with young buyers, first-time buyers, and multicultural customers,” said assistant vice president of Automobile Sales of American Honda, Michael Kistemaker.

“By gaining aspirational qualities beyond its segment, the all-new 2023 Honda HR-V will welcome a new generation of customers to Honda and grow in importance as a gateway to the Honda brand,” he continued. That’s quite the hype for a crossover that seems to have lost many of the aggressive styling elements that helped it stand out in the past.

What do you think of the way this new HR-V looks? Are you excited for a bit more space and some GR86-esque  styling cues? We can only hope that they’ll make an Si version of some kind.

PHOTO GALLERY

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After feeling the heat from competitors in the segment and wanting to reposition it as an entry point to the brand's bigger SUVs, the 2023 Honda HR-V has been refreshed by the Japanese automaker for its third generation.

For the new model year, the HR-V has a bigger engine, sleeker styling and rides on the same platform as the Civic sedan.

At the front, a honeycomb grille replaces the busy front of the previous year's model, giving way to an overall simpler fascia with the Honda logo placed squarely above the grille instead of the classic silver strip running between the headlights.

The sides are a little smoother as well, with just one character line running along the bottom towards the back. The rear door handles also return to a normal position instead of being placed at the C-pillar.

Honda wanted more space for people and cargo, stretching the vehicle by 8.7 inches and widening by 2.6 inches. That leads to 98.7 cubic feet of space in the top-level EX-L trim, 2.6 cubic-feet more than the last model.

The cabin is also markedly improved. Over the previous model year, the materials feel less plasticky. The dashboard and center stack are lifted from the Civic sedan including more honeycomb design, and that's not a bad thing. It's simple but useful.

Honda's Body Stabilizing Seats, leather-wrapped on the EX-L trim and cloth on the lower trims, remained firm and comfortable after multiple hours of driving, enough to get an owner from their home in the city to the rural campground a few hours out without any fatigue.

The backseat is also comfortable, with ample space and headroom for the average-sized person. It fits three, but three adults would be too tight for anything but a short trip.

At the top of the trim line, the EX-L trim doesn't allow for much road or wind noise, even at highway speeds. On the Sport trim, however, there's a noticeable uptick.

A Honda product planner told Newsweek that the Sport trim, intended to be the volume model, is for younger millennials who won't mind a little more road noise. Their research shows that a quiet cabin isn't among their car buying priorities until they get older.

The 7-inch infotainment touchscreen (9-inch on the EX-L trim) is responsive and easy to use. Wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect seamlessly. On the LX and Sport trims, wired setups are standard while wireless connectivity is standard on the EX-L trim.

Pushing the 2023 HR-V is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a step above the previous generation's 1.8-liter four-cylinder. It's paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and puts out 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque.

It's the only engine available throughout the trim line, which has been shaved to three levels: LX, Sport and EX-L. All three are available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.

Thanks to the redesigned and now independent rear suspension, the 2023 HR-V exhibits a smoother ride than the model year before it. Bumps in the road don't travel into the cabin as much, and the increased stability on a twisty road is noticeable in the all-wheel drive setup.

In most driving situations, the CVT is calm and quiet and stays in the low rev range, but when pushed to merge onto a highway it hangs loudly in the 4,000 rpm range. It quiets as soon as the driver lets off the throttle.

Choosing front-wheel drive gets you EPA-estimated mileage of 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg in highway driving. That's thinned a bit when opting for all-wheel drive, netting 25 mpg and 30 mpg, respectively. It's better than the 2022 Mazda CX-30 and worse than the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

As with all Hondas, the HR-V comes standard with Honda Sensing, its suite of safety features, at any trim level. That includes lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.

The base LX trim starts at $23,650 with front-wheel drive. The top-level EX-L trim begins at $27,450 and adds leather seats, Wi-Fi hotspot capability and a wireless charging pad.

There's no shortage of competition in the small crossover segment. The 2022 Toyota C-HR starts at $24,130. With its sporty handling and refined looks, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 is also worthy of a cross-shop at $22,500. The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek should also be high on the list with an MSRP of $23,145.

Those leaning towards off-roading should start with the Subaru Crosstrek. But buyers looking to get out of town, enjoy the open road efficiently and look good doing it, the better-looking and more refined 2023 Honda HR-V crossover is well worth considering.

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