2023 Honda HR-V

2023 Honda HR-V Review

Being one of the earliest examples of a crossover or SUV displacing sedan sales, the Honda HR-V has plenty to offer. This mid-sized vehicle does a fantastic job of delivering on nearly every aspect that your modern day buyer looks for in a car – from practicality, to functionality, to comfort.

While the name is a historic one for Honda – going as far back as 1998 – the modern HR-V is aimed more at the mass market than being a niche lifestyle vehicle. You could argue that the HR-V is an amalgamation of many different vehicles – and perhaps even a spiritual successor to the original CR-V as the CR-V has grown extensively in size and complexity.

The second-generation model was launched back in 2013, and had a local facelift launched at the start of 2019. The number of variants have increased and decreased over time, with the current range being offered in the grades E, V, and RS. 

For a time there was also a Sport Hybrid variant but that has since been dropped.

After seven years of gracing our lands, the Honda HR-V entered a new chapter of its existence in Malaysia as the third-generation version of the much-loved SUV gave the HR-V name an entirely new direction.

The 2022-2023 Honda HR-V now features a coupe-like silhouette, and for the first time, is being offered in three different powertrains, including one that features a turbo.

2023 Honda HR-V Specifications

All variants for the 2022-2023 Honda HR-V are front-wheel-drive, but there are three different powertrains depending on the model of your choice. The S comes with the 1.5 i-VTEC non-turbo engine that produces 121PS and 145Nm of torque.

Both the E and V are fitted with the same 1.5 VTEC turbo engine that churns out 177PS and 240Nm of torque. As for the only hybrid HR-V model, the RS e:HEV gets the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine + electric motor that produces 131PS and 253Nm of torque in total.

As for fuel efficiency, the RS gets the best mileage at 4.1L/100km, followed by the base S at 5.9L/100km, while the two turbo models (E and V) are rated at 6.5L/100km.

Exterior of the 2022-2023 Honda HR-V

As far as the exterior design goes, the third-generation HR-V is a far departure from the second generation HR-V. It features a drastic change at the rear, where it now comes with a coupe-like rear end. Unfortunately, pictures do not reflect just how lovely this rear end is and how it drastically changes the look and feel of the SUV for the better.

The 2022-2023 HR-V also boasts a much more squarish silhouette while retaining the rounded edges that give it a visual link to the 11th-gen Civic.

In a sense, the general shape of the HR-V does give the HR-V a sporty feel to it, even if you choose the base trim, which will come without the RS cosmetic extras.

all variants for the new 2022-2023 Honda HR-V are fitted with the LED auto headlight setup + LED daytime running lights. If you opt for the 1.5 Turbo V or RS e:HEV, those come with sequential indicators upfront.

The 1.5S variant is the only one fitted with the gloss black bar grille, whereas the rest come prepared with the gloss black 'chequered flag' grille, front spoiler with that silver 'heartbeat' graphic, and a sporty rear bumper. The two turbo models get a set of twin tailpipes to complement that rear end.

To differentiate itself from the rest of the pack, the HRV RS e:HEV is dressed with chrome pins on the grille with the RS emblem, a red 'heartbeat' graphic, smoked LED taillight strip, as well as chrome garnishes on the lower portion of its body. No black roof, unfortunately.

Interior of the 2023 Honda HR-V

Honda has sought to keep the cabin experience in their newest crossover a commodious one, utilising its much-known use of excellent interior packaging to yield unexpected levels of cabin space. They have combined this with their newfound pleasure of making interiors feel premium, similar to what they've done with the 2022-2023 Civic.

Speaking of its cousin, there are a lot of Civic design ques inside the cabin, starting with the dashboard, which adopts a floating infotainment touchscreen and full-width look HVAC vents as the 11th-gen Civic. Buttons on the centre stack have been reduced to ones surrounding a trio of knobs for climate control and some extras on the multi-function steering wheel, giving a very minimal aesthetic overall. There's also the new air diffusion system at the opposite corners of the dashboard, which helps air circulation.

The S and E models are dressed in fabric upholstery while the V and RS come with the black leather option (RS gets the extra red stitching).

The same goes for the steering where the bottom two get it in urethane, while the top two get it wrapped in leather (again, extra red stitching for the RS variant). All models (apart from the base S) get the paddle shifter as well as the remote engine start function.

2023 Honda HR-V Safety Features

Standard safety features that are available across the board are the Auto Brake Hold, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Agile Handle Assist (ASA), and Honda Sensing (Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, auto high beam, wide-angle rearview camera system, and parking sensors).

There are six airbags in total, but only four for the base S variant. The same can be said about the Sport Mode, but if you want the full safety suite, only the top two models (V and RS) are fitted with Honda Connect, Lane Watch, and Variable Gear Ratio.

The RS is also the only one with automatic wipers, but also no spare tyre (only a tyre repair kit to make way for the car's hybrid system). To make up for it, the range-topping HR-V gets a set of sport pedals as part of the RS kit.

2023 Honda HR-V Pros and Cons

Malaysian HR-V fans are lucky, as they have the luxury to pick and choose a lot more than what our neighbours are getting, there is a 2022-2023 Honda HR-V variant for everyone in Malaysia. 

While other markets picked a couple of powertrains to front their new HR-V assault, buyers in Malaysia are lucky enough to be offered three powertrain options for Honda Malaysia's latest model.

n comparison, the new HR-V in Thailand only gets the hybrid variant, RS e:HEV, while Indonesia and the Philippines get the 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally aspirated engine and 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo.

Malaysia on the hand got all three powertrains, and the reason for this is that Honda Malaysia wants to have the broadest possible customer audience for its HR-V, making it available to pretty much anyone.

However, because there is a HR-V for everyone, a lot of Malaysians flocked to Honda showrooms to book one - and the waiting list for the HR-V stood at a year on the day of its launch. Honda Malaysia said they aim to fulfil all 20,000 bookings by March 2023, so if you're reading this in 2022-2023, there is still some way for you to get an HR-V if you're planning to buy it now.

2023 Honda HR-V Price In Malaysia

The all-new 2022-2023 Honda HR-V is priced as below:

• Honda HR-V 1.5S: RM114,800
• Honda HR-V Turbo 1.5E: RM129,800
• Honda HR-V Turbo 1.5V: RM134,800
• Honda HR-V RS e:HEV: RM140,800

All prices are on-the-road prices, excluding insurance.

Key Features of the 2023 Honda HR-V

No matter which HR-V you choose, handling improvements is applicable across the board. 

According to the Large Project Leader of the All-New Honda HR-V, Yoshitomo Ihashi, the excellent handling of the new HR-V is contributed by the rigid chassis, suspension improvements, and dimension changes.

"With the addition of length, height, and lower ground clearance, the new 2022-2023 Honda HR-V is more stable," he concluded.

Although Honda wanted to take the HR-V hybrid up a notch, they had to keep things simple as simplicity is the key to reliability, said Yoshitomo. This is why they have decided to use a tried and tested powerplant but give it a bit more grunt to compensate for its extra weight.

Although the mid-spec HR-V is technically the fastest, Honda Malaysia says the hybrid variant provides a different type of sportiness, as the hybrid system has available torque from the get-go.