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Honda updated the HR-V for the 2023 model year and gave it an extensive styling reboot. It’s now built on the larger Civic platform and that allowed Honda to add some new features and, apparently, a safer cockpit, too. The new 2023 HR-V now earns the Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Is the Honda HR-V safe?

2023 Honda HR-V
2023 Honda HR-V Sport | Honda

The HR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS. That little plus symbol means that this SUV is in the top tier for all vehicles tested by the IIHS. To earn the +, IIHS evaluates parts of cars most of us wouldn’t think to, until we need to, like headlight coverage and seatbelts. Much of that comes from the new Civic platform.

The 2023 HR-V earned a “superior” rating for its standard front crash prevention system, which is part of the HondaSensing suite of driver’s assistance software, which is standard on the HR-V. It adds pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. So far, the NHTSA has not rated the new 2023 Honda HR-V.

While the CR-V is all new in 2023, too, IIHS has not evaluated it yet.

The Honda HR-V may be safe, but it’s not fast

We can talk a lot about the new styling, and even how well the new HR-V reportedly handles. But, we do know that it’s not going to win many straight-line races. It’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes just 158 horsepower, and it’s mated to a droning continuously variable transmission, which not many people love for its droning.

The Interior of the HR-V is a much nicer place than last year’s HR-V

2023 Honda HR-V interior
2023 Honda HR-V interior | Honda

The new HR-V however with a sporty new cabin that, in black plastic, features Honda’s new design language inside and more options. It’s a bit more daring than others in the class. For the second-generation HR-V Honda addressed most of the gripes buyers had with the old one, most notably its size. The new HR-V is 11 inches longer and a bit wider.

Its standard touchscreen measures 7.0 inches, but a 9.0 inch upgrade comes on more expensive trim levels.

How much is a 2023 Honda CR-V?

Front angle view of Lunar Silver Metallic 2023 Honda HR-V crossover SUV
Lunar Silver Metallic 2023 Honda HR-V | Honda

The 2023 Honda HR-V pricing starts at $23,650, which is a slight increase over the 2022 SUV. It comes in three versions, base LX, Sport, and EX-L. The base LX now comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Honda Sensing tech. The Sport version starts at $25,650 and adds heated seats, blind-spot monitoring, and 18-inch wheels. The EX-L starts at $27,450 and adds a power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate, and a larger 9.0-inch touch screen. A 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard, and all-wheel-drive is a $1,500 option on all trims.

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Is the 2023 Honda HR-V Just a Tall Civic?

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.