The Honda HR-V is one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs out there. In 2019 alone, Honda sold just shy of 100,000 of these vehicles and it looks like those figures are still going strong into the new year.

Many reviewers are giving a mixed bag of ratings for the HR-V, some of them really good, some not so great. There are those who like that it is one of the best gas mileage vehicles out there, and those that don’t care for the features it sports.

The real question is whether the HR-V has some of the sought after features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Motor Trend reviews the vehicle and describes what it comes with should you be interested in buying one for yourself.

Overall view of the Honda HR-V

The HR-V is an entry-level crossover SUV that’s well known for its available space both for cargo storage and for head and legroom. It’s also a popular choice for those looking for a decent fuel economy in a sport utility vehicle offered at an affordable price. The HR-V isn’t exactly the epitome of power with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, but it has enough to get to where you need to go for those who aren’t interested in acceleration speed.

To keep costs down, this Honda SUV doesn’t contain a whole lot of amenities. The few that it does have doesn’t include a high-quality suspension system.

The HR-V doesn’t handle bumpy rides well. You’re likely to feel every bump and dip in the road, especially if you’re in it for a long travel day. You should also expect a pretty noisy ride, between road noise from the tires, the hum of the engine and the wind moving against the car at higher speeds.

Does the Honda HR-V have Apple CarPlay?

Even though it doesn’t come with a whole lot, there are a few things that it comes with that could make the purchase worthwhile. One of those is the compatibility it has with Apple CarPlay.

You’ll find it’s standard on all HR-V trims except the LX. You can access CarPlay as well as the Android Auto app on the 7-inch infotainment screen found on the Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels.

Apple CarPlay enables you to access apps that you would normally get off your iPhone, but without the fumbling around to find it and use it. Once you connect your phone to the display screen, you can simply open up whatever you need from the infotainment center itself.

You can play your favorite music playlists, listen to your audiobooks while you drive, or navigate to a certain destination using the phone’s GPS-based technology.

What other useful features does this SUV have?

The most impressive feature you’ll find on the HR-V, besides the Apple CarPlay app, is the Honda Sensing System. Honda rolled out its own personal suite of safety features as standard equipment on many of its vehicles, and this SUV is no exception. The system includes automatic braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

You’ll also find their forward collision alert system that gives you different levels of warning when a collision is about to occur. First, you get a visual alert and then an audio warning, giving you plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments to avoid a crash. The automatic braking feature also kicks in to help you avert a serious impact with another vehicle or barrier.

The Honda HR-V, which is in the same league as the Subaru Crosstrek, has some decent features like the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and safety sensing system. For an affordable vehicle that gets decent gas mileage and plenty of storage space, you can’t go too wrong with one of these SUVs.