It’s pretty exciting to see the new Honda HR-V in action after its significant redesign, but not everything got better. In fact, the 2023 Honda HR-V actually got a little thirstier. This fresh SUV has a lower fuel economy than before. 

How much power does the 2023 Honda HR-V have?

The new engine for the 2023 Honda HR-V might have been leaked. According to MotorTrend, the new official EPA rating for the HR-V might have accidentally listed a new engine, along with a lower fuel economy. 

Reportedly, the HR-V gained the 2.0-liter inline-four engine for the Honda Civic with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 HR-V comes with a 1.8-liter inline-four engine with 141 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. 

This is a nice increase in power that should bring a little more speed to the table. The 2022 HR-V can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 10.4 seconds. Hopefully, the new model is a little faster. 

However, the 2022 HR-V gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and up to 34 mpg on the highway. The 2023 HR-V gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and up to 32 mpg on the highway. 

Perhaps the loss of about two miles per gallon is worth it for the extra power. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel to find out. 

What else is new for the 2023 HR-V? 

The 2023 Honda HR-V is larger than before. The previous generation used the same platform as the Honda Fit, but the new model shares a platform with the Honda Civic. So, the HR-V is wider and longer with more passenger and cargo space. 

Expect the HR-V to have a better ride. It has a longer wheelbase and the old beam axle suspension design was replaced by an independent setup. Along with providing a smoother ride, the HR-V should have more responsive handling around curves. 

We know that the HR-V can be paired with all-wheel drive, but we’re still waiting to learn more. The HR-V isn’t exactly built for towing, but if the new model can handle trailers then we will let you know. 

Critics are worried about the Magic seat. The outgoing model has a rear seat that can be flipped and folded flat to make the most of cargo space. However, this option may have been dropped due to moving to a new platform. 

Does the 2023 HR-V have a better interior? 

The 2023 Honda HR-V interior is expected to have a simple and elegant design that’s similar to what you’ll find in the Honda Civic. Cheap plastics could be replaced by higher quality materials and soft-touch surfaces. 

It’s sade to expect larger screens. The 7-inch infotainment screen could be replaced by a larger unit and a digital gauge cluster could be available. It might come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and built-in navigation. 

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It could gain more options like blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. 

We should learn more about the 2023 Honda HR-V soon. It’s expected to arrive by the end of the summer. Stay tuned for the latest updates.