Sales are on fire for the Honda HR-V as the brand debuts the next generation of the crossover. We got behind the wheel of the 2023 Honda HR-V to see what this crossover is all about and if it can keep up its impressive sales momentum.
Honda has dubbed this “the year of the SUV,” and for good reason, considering it’s in the midst of refreshing virtually all of its utility vehicles. That includes a second-generation HR-V, the smallest ute in the Japanese brand’s lineup.
While no longer equipped with the “magic seats” found in the original model, the 2023 Honda HR-V is larger outside and roomier inside, providing a surprising amount of space for passengers and cargo.
The original Honda HR-V made its debut back in 2016 as one of the first in what has become an expanding field of subcompact crossovers. As I quickly discovered myself, that small footprint actually disguised an unexpectedly roomy interior that allowed me to pack in a surprising amount of “stuff” while helping a friend move to a new home.
Much of the credit went to the HR-V’s “magic seats,” which could fold, tumble, and split in a variety of configurations to provide as much as 40 inches of rear legroom and 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Sadly, that flexible seating system has been dropped from the 2023 HR-V. But Honda has largely filled the gap in other ways.
![2023 Honda HR-V - parked with sign 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-parked-with-sign-700x467.jpg)
Where the original HR-V shared platforms with Honda’s pint-sized Fit hatchback, the new model is based on the same architecture as the 11th-generation Civic.
It’s now 9.4 inches longer and 2.6 inches wider than before, with a 1.7-inch longer wheelbase. Overall, the 2023 HR-V measures 179.8 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 63.8 inches tall.
2023 Honda HR-V Review
![2023 Honda HR-V in woods - rear 3-4 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-in-woods-rear-3-4-700x487.jpg)
As for the critical interior dimensions, it does lose a wee bit of space — but for the segment it competes in, there’s still an impressive 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seat is folded down. When passengers are riding in back, they still get 37.7 inches of legroom, more than enough for my 6’2” frame.
![2023 Honda HR-V - with cargo 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-with-cargo-700x499.jpg)
A More Compelling Design
![2023 Honda HR-V - rear seats REL 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-rear-seats-REL-700x467.jpg)
Tech-Savvy
![2023 Honda HR-V - IP REL 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-IP-REL-700x467.jpg)
More Mass Requires More Power
![2023 Honda HR-V - engine REL 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-engine-REL-700x467.jpg)
![2023 Honda HR-V - platform REL 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-platform-REL-700x467.jpg)
Driving Impressions
![2023 Honda HR-V - by river front 3-4 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-by-river-front-3-4-700x466.jpg)
2023 HR-V Summary
![2023 Honda HR-V - by river rear 3-4 2023 Honda HR-V](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/06/2023-Honda-HR-V-by-river-rear-3-4-700x476.jpg)