Never heard of an HRV?
You’re not alone. These amazing crossover vehicles, lightweight and maneuverable because they are built to sit on a car platform, not a truck chassis, have only been available in the USA since 2015. HRV stands for “Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle.” You can find them at your Honda HRV dealers.
Similarities Between the Honda HRV and the Honda CRV
Both the HRV and the CRV have Honda’s CVT (continuously variable) transmission. They both shift gears automatically as you drive to adjust the gear ratio to fit your driving. Both the HRV and the CRV have standard FWD, front-wheel drive. They can be ordered with AWD, all-wheel drive, for people who do a lot of winter driving.
Differences Between the Honda HRV and the Honda CRV
The most obvious difference between a Honda HRV and a Honda CRV is size. The HRV is a compact car. The CRV is a mid-sized car.
What’s the difference in size?
- The HRV has a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that can generate 158 horsepower. The CRV has a 1.5 liter four-cylinder that can generate 190 horsepower.
- An HRV has 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 55 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. A CRV has 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, 77 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
- A CRV is roomier and has more oomph on the freeway. It gets 28 miles to the gallon when you are driving around town, and 34 miles to the gallon when you are on a highway.
- An HRV is a little less fuel-efficient. It gets 26 miles to the gallon when you are driving around town, and 32 miles to the gallon on the highway.
- CRV’s are available as hybrids, while HRVs are not. On the other hand, you have the option for 18-inch sport wheels on an HRV, and you don’t have that on a CRV.
But the HRV and the CRV have one more difference you may appreciate:
The 2024 Honda HR-V has a starting MSRP of just $24,600 to $30,200, while the 2024 Honda CR-V has a starting MSRP of $29,500 to $36,160.
You can spend as much as $12,000 less when you get a Honda HRV.
Is an HRV a Better Buy for You?
Check out what the critics have to say about the Honda HRV.
- Edmunds.com says, “There is only so much power you can pack into a subcompact like the Honda HRV, but smart engineering gives it the flexibility you need to compensate for its small size.”
- Motor Trend says, “If you are looking for a small crossover, the HRV has unique features that set it apart from the rest of the pack.”
- Car and Driver says, “The HRV mixes angles and curves in a sporty look that hides its budget-friendly features. Extras like a seven-inch touch-screen display, lane-departure warning, and vehicle telematics make it a high-tech driver’s dream.”
What makes the Honda HRV work for drivers on a budget is its magical second-row seat. The fold-down seat gives you the access you need to extra cargo space with the flexibility to provide up to 100 cubic feet of passenger space. All HRVs except the base model have smart entry that helps get you get into your car in a hurry in bad weather or in other challenging situations.
Added to all its other features, the Honda HRV is one of its most reliable models. HRV owners report fewer repairs even than CRV owners, who enjoy some of the most trustworthy performance on the road.
Ready to give an HRV a test drive? Visit Honda South Morrow today!
