Honda HR-V 2021 review: small SUV

Is the Honda HR-V still worth considering? The HR-V is a popular compact crossover in Australia, competing with the Mazda CX-3, Volkswagen T-Cross and Nissan Qashqai. There's a 1.8-litre petrol engine and CVT auto, and in Australia, the HR-V is front wheel drive only. It was facelifted in 2018, and this version is the same as the 2020 HR-V, but is the HR-V a good small SUV? Should you buy the Honda? In this video, Tom reviews the 2021 Honda HR-V RS SUV, including driving dynamics, handling, interior comfort and space to find out.

What do you think of the Honda HR-V? Is the cabin technology acceptable? Does the practicality make up for this car's lower points? Is it quick enough? Leave a comment below and share your opinion.

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Australian review of the 2020 Honda HR-V crossover.

[stanmiller]

Bought mine in 2018. Absolutely love it. Can’t fault it

[tdmap]

Looking at all the rivals, I still wonder how Honda managed to extract that much interior and boot space. It really stand out in terms of space utilization and practicality. It simply has no equal.

[kaleidoscopeon]

Practicality on this car is unmatched. That’s the reason to get this.

[rohangardner]

I really like the review. I think you did a good job explaining the features and practicality of this car

[autonewstv]

*Really nice car this is the car I'm getting when I'm 16. Great review Tom!* 👍

[carrk]

The road noise and bumpy ride especially for the rear passenger is something Honda really needs to fix in their next generation.

[joelim]

Way more reliable than competitors with direct injection motors and dual clutch gearboxes, if you plan on keeping it for a while.

[devin_ng]

Great Review Tom! I’m using Honda HRV for 5 years now and still think it’s a good car especially in term of practicality, but the road noise is quite bad

[parvinkumar]

Bought our Honda HRV and paid for the mud flaps upon purchase. Still did not get the mudflaps, it's almost two years now. I was promised to be contacted by email when I took my car for service in December but did not receive any email from the sales manager. The remote car battery is giving sings for battery change in one and half years. My other car which is a small Hyundai Bought in 2017 has not required any battery change yet. We bought our Honda HRV from Penrith Honda

Kumari

[malcolmscott]

Great review Tom - this model is much better specified in other markets with AWD and other tech options plus newer power trains must be on the way yet it’s space, looks and practicality make it a sensible suv imho

[simounobrien]

the faults you mentioned never bothered me in the slightest. My HRV is perfect for my style so I am giving it a 11/10

[SWA]

Really great car and really good review dude!

[aw]

I would like to take a road trip with you in one of these, Tom. ❤️

[zippygundoo]

Good review, Tom. Honda really seem to have lost their mojo a number of years ago & don’t seem at all interested in reclaiming their past glory days. Once upon a time, a Honda was an aspirational mainstream brand, now they’re just a rather middling, uninspiring one.

[PiriakaTrackwrecker]

I've loved this design since I first saw a black on black Vezel in Japan before it came out here. I had the chance to grab an early version recently, but went with the XV instead for its radar cruise (best feature ever-switches off my angry overtaking brain and makes cruising in a line up waaay more pleasant), the 4wd, value and cool factor in the orange with those evil black alloys. It loses a little in terms of practicality but I don't regret the decision, I'm stoked with the Suby.

[johnmckay]

sort of thing and price im in the market for...and every car choice has its compromises...but that tech looks dodgy as...so Kona prob coming out ahead...

[reaality]

Too many words were used to say the Honda 1.8 liter HR-V is underpowered. But the lack of power must surely extend its lifetime...

[williammarshall]

Agree completely .. after 2 months, I’m sorry I bought a VTi .. tech is worse than my 2105 Mitsubishi

[RJC]

Another great review. Felt Honda has been lazy watching other brands making successes, but itself is not making a determination to lead again...

[digitaldoc]

Such an outdated powertrain, I truly can't get past it. It needs a much better engine, and to lose the CVT. Not sure why Honda has not updated it yet.