Honda offers an impressive lineup of high-quality SUVs. And one of them provides two highly desirable qualities: affordability and safety. It’s the 2023 Honda HR-V, the cheapest new Honda SUV in 2023. And the HR-V is also the safest SUV in the lineup — with it earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.

2023 Honda HR-V is the most affordable new Honda SUV in 2023

With high inflation, the price of new cars has significantly increased over the past two years. This is especially the case for SUVs. However, in the Honda lineup, there’s an affordable option: the 2023 Honda HR-V. With a starting cost of only $23,800 MSRP, it’s the cheapest new Honda SUV in 2023.

After the HR-V subcompact, the next best new Honda SUV for affordability is the CR-V ($28,410 MSRP), a compact, followed by the Pilot three-row midsize model ($35,950 MSRP). And the most expensive vehicle in the lineup is the Passport two-row midsize SUV ($41,100 MSRP).

There’s also the upcoming Prologue electric midsize SUV, which will likely be available in early 2024. We’re still waiting for many details about the Prologue, including its cost.

HR-V is the safest Honda SUV: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award

Along with being the cheapest new Honda SUV in 2023, the 2023 Honda HR-V is also the safest. Recently, the affordable subcompact earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the highest award from IIHS. 

Also, considering that IIHS implemented stricter requirements for this year’s awards, the honor is especially impressive. In nearly every area that IIHS scored for crash tests and other safety evaluations, the HR-V was perfect. This includes top marks for small overlap front, roof strength, side, moderate overlap front, front crash prevention, head restraints, and seats.

The only areas in which the HR-V didn’t earn perfect scores were headlights and the LATCH system for attaching child seats. It received an “acceptable” rating for both of these — one step below the top-tier “good” score.

Safety features in the 2023 HR-V

The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2023 HR-V can be credited to its wide range of safety features. It starts with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure, which provides optimal protection in collisions. Also, it has much coverage with the airbags, including side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. Additionally, the front and rear outboard seats feature an automatic tensioning system for the seatbelts, which helps ensure a secure and comfortable fit. 

Also, for enhanced safety, the affordable subcompact SUV comes standard with many driving assistance features. This includes a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a rear seat reminder. There’s also the available low-speed braking control system and a blind-spot monitor. 

For SUV shoppers that desire a safe vehicle that’s not too harsh on their bank account, the subcompact 2023 Honda HR-V is an appealing choice. It’s the cheapest new Honda SUV in 2023. And with it earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, the HR-V is also the safest.