From Dull to a Work of Art: The New 2023 Honda HR-V Wows Automotive Journalists
Automakers love coming up with clever taglines to move metal. Who can forget “This is Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile” or that one overused German brand’s (slightly arrogant) version—“The Ultimate Driving Machine?” We’re wise to them, yet they still get stuck in our brains, which is exactly what their marketing teams want. At Honda of Newnan, we believe Honda finally got it right with the redesigned 2023 HR-V, also known as “The Modern SUV.” For Georgia residents looking for an Atlanta Honda dealer to experience the HR-V for themselves, look no further than our dealership, located conveniently in Newnan, GA.
Can Honda claim that its subcompact SUV is more modern than the rest? In short, yes. Once considered “sensible and uninspiring” by Car and Driver, the redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V made a distinctly different impression on the team assigned to review it. The reviewers loved the center console, calling it a “work of ergonomic art,” while the ride was “light and cheery.” As for tech, the HR-V is brimming with it.
Features like slit-style LED headlights and more driver-assist safety systems than any other ute in the category push the HR-V to the front of the line for technology features. As a subcompact SUV buyer, practicality and affordability play a big role in your decision, and you might think premium features aren’t within your reach. Luckily, the upscale HR-V offers a few pleasant surprises.
Surprise #1: Standard Driver-Assist Safety Technology
If you haven’t heard the term driver-assist, you may already be familiar with the technology without even knowing it. Driver-assist systems are also known as semi-autonomous driving technologies. Maybe during a ride in your friend’s car, you heard an audible beep as he backed into a parking spot. The beeps got closer together as he neared the wall. That’s driver-assist.
The systems work via a series of cameras, sensors, and radar fitted to the vehicle in strategic locations. For example, a set of sensors monitors your blind spot and helps you make safe lane changes; a sophisticated radar system located either under the rearview mirror or embedded in the front grille constantly calculates the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. You get the idea.
All 2023 Honda HR-V trims feature standard Honda Sensing safety technology. The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies includes eight different systems that together monitor the entire area surrounding your vehicle and alert you to potential hazards. These systems also tie into your braking and steering systems. If they sense a collision is imminent, or if you’re drifting out of your lane, they’ll intervene with emergency braking or gentle steering nudges.
You can think of Honda Sensing as a co-pilot—a 24/7 monitor that keeps you and your passengers safer. Additionally, some systems focus more on convenience, like auto high-beam headlights. This system automatically toggles between low and high-beam settings so that you can focus on nighttime driving. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it convenience that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.
Surprise #2: Plenty of Luxury Features
The three-trim 2023 HR-V lineup consists of the LX, the Sport, and the EX-L. Buyers looking for a few luxurious extras will find them across all trims, but the ultimate expression of luxury is reserved for the top-of-the-line EX-L. Features like a standard power moonroof, a wireless phone charger, and a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen headline the long list of standard equipment.
Considering the EX-L has an MSRP of just $27,450, budget buyers can still give upgrading some serious consideration with this Honda SUV.[a] How will you know if it’s worth the extra few thousand to go for the gusto? Ask yourself what’s important. For example, do you want a more powerful premium audio system? The EX-L moves you up to a 180-watt, 8-speaker system with SiriusXM compatibility. The mid-range Sport has a 6-speaker version.
Also standard on the EX-L is dual-zone automatic climate control. It’s ideal for couples or carpoolers so that everyone can dial in their level of comfort. The standard ambient LED interior cabin lighting system is also a nice extra, offering a pleasant lighting array and doing away with the typical overhead dome light setup found on most vehicles in the subcompact category. The EX-L also comes with leather-trimmed seating, which you can’t get on the other trims.
Other standard features across the entire trim range include heated front seats, push button start, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and variable intermittent windshield wipers. A reverse-linked intermittent windshield wiper is also standard, and its linked capability means it syncs with the front wipers, eliminating the need to independently control both.
Surprise #3: A Spectrum of Infotainment and Connected Services
Who’s not dependent on their smartphones these days? It’s rare to find anyone that doesn’t check their messages or rely on their device for something, like directions, restaurant reviews, and entertainment. Luckily, the 2023 HR-V won’t force you to abandon connectivity while you’re on the go. The LX and Sport come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired connectivity. The EX-L offers wireless connectivity.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto utilize the vehicle’s touchscreen to display compatible apps, like messaging, phone, and maps, allowing you to safely interact with stored data, music, podcasts, and driving directions. For even more vehicle-to-smartphone symbiosis, consider a HondaLink connected services subscription. HondaLink turns your phone into a vehicle data hub. You can book service appointments, check fuel levels, and even coordinate roadside assistance.
Your vehicle’s touchscreen isn’t just designed for easy access to your phone–you can display camera views of the area behind your HR-V with the multi-angle rearview camera. The camera offers three angles: normal, top-down, and wide. Switch around to find the best viewpoint to accomplish your objective, whether it’s backing into a parking space or easing your way out of the driveway. Also, parking sensors located in the front and rear bumpers will alert as you approach an obstacle.
One cool and unique feature found on the HR-V is Walk Away Auto Lock. This system activates after you park and close the car doors. Once you’re eight feet away from your HR-V (and have the key fob), your HR-V will lock its doors automatically. Unlocking is just as easy—simply pull on the driver or passenger door handle. Say goodbye to juggling key fobs or accidentally pushing the alarm button!
The Modern SUV Is Here
Honda pulls no punches with the all-new, completely redesigned HR-V. There is not a more advanced, well-equipped subcompact SUV on the market. Whether you’re comparing safety, infotainment, or connected services, this newest HR-V dominates. It’s refreshing to know that opting for a practical and affordable SUV doesn’t come at the cost of modern conveniences.
Not all of the HR-V’s attributes are necessarily modern; consider the standard 18-inch wheels, available all-wheel drive, and 55.1 cu.ft. of cargo volume. In every category, the HR-V has a leg up on the competition. You’ll even get standard heated front seats, more legroom than almost any other ute in the segment, and advanced exterior LED headlights and taillights that improve visibility and give the HR-V a sleek, modern exterior look.
The affordable and fuel-efficient 2023 Honda HR-V is here. All that’s left to do is take a test drive and decide which trim works best for your lifestyle and budget. Don’t waste time comparison shopping when this little SUV has all the goods. Safety, technology, modern styling inside and out, and spacious interior passenger and cargo space—say hello to the new and improved HR-V: the modern SUV. Contact us today to learn more.
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