Honda HR-V EX-L AWD Review

The 2025 Honda HR-V EX-L AWD is a competent subcompact crossover — practical, comfortable, and Honda-reliable, but lacking the punch of segment standouts.

Honda HR-V price: 2026 prices and what changed

The review body below describes the 2025 car; the figures in this section are for the 2026 model year. Kelley Blue Book, in its 2026 HR-V page updated March 19, 2026, lists the 2026 Honda HR-V LX at 27,950 dollars, the Sport at 29,750 dollars and the EX-L at 31,800 dollars. All-wheel drive is a 1,500 dollar option on any of the three trims. Kelley Blue Book says the 2026 HR-V also receives new paint colors and wheel designs, while the 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder and CVT carry over from the previous specification.

The main equipment change is broader standard technology. Kelley Blue Book says every 2026 HR-V now has a standard 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless device charger. The 2026 update therefore changes cabin technology across the line-up without changing the listed engine output or transmission. Buyers comparing HR-V prices by trim therefore have three listed MSRPs to consider before adding the 1,500 dollar all-wheel-drive option, with the EX-L remaining the highest-priced trim in Kelley Blue Book's three-trim list.

Vehicle Overview

Key Specifications (Honda HR-V EX-L AWD)

0–60 mph: 9.4s

Exterior Design

Squared-off styling shared with Civic platform

17" alloys on EX-L

LED headlights standard

Interior, Comfort & Materials

Standard 7" or available 9" touchscreen

Heated front seats standard on EX-L

Comfortable rear bench

Features & Infotainment

Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto on EX-L

8-speaker audio

Honda Sensing 360+

Is the Honda HR-V safe? What the IIHS ratings actually say

The IIHS vehicle ratings page for the 2026 Honda HR-V, read September 28, 2026, lists the model as a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+. Our guide to IIHS safety ratings explains what the tiers mean. Its individual results are more specific than the award alone: moderate overlap front is rated GOOD, the updated side test is GOOD, headlights are ACCEPTABLE, pedestrian front crash prevention is GOOD, vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention 2.0 is ACCEPTABLE, and seat belt reminders are GOOD. Those category results show a mix of GOOD and ACCEPTABLE ratings across the listed IIHS tests rather than a single undifferentiated safety score.

Honda's March 24, 2026 news release says the HR-V was one of four 2026 Honda models to earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK or better, alongside the Civic Hatchback, Accord and Passport. Honda also says the HR-V has standard Honda Sensing and the company's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. Separately, NHTSA recall campaign 26V332 covers certain older vehicles, including the 2019-2021 HR-V, because a front passenger seat weight sensor can crack and short circuit, but the 2026 HR-V is not among the vehicles covered by that campaign.

Safety & Ratings

Honda Sensing 360+ standard

Driving Performance & Handling

The 158 hp 2.0L and CVT need 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph — leisurely even by subcompact-crossover standards, and the reason the HR-V reads as the sensible rather than sporty choice here. The chassis is set up for ride comfort, and AWD is available across the range.

Honda HR-V gas mileage and estimated running costs

Kelley Blue Book reports EPA fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive 2026 HR-V. All-wheel-drive versions return 27 mpg combined. Using those EPA combined figures with the AAA national average regular gasoline price of 4.4768 dollars a gallon, read September 28, 2026, a 12,000-mile year works out to about 429 gallons and roughly 1,919 dollars of fuel for front-wheel drive. The comparable all-wheel-drive estimate is about 444 gallons and roughly 1,990 dollars.

The estimated annual fuel-cost gap between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is about 71 dollars at 12,000 miles, and both figures move with the pump price — see why gas prices are so high in 2026. These are calculations based on EPA combined fuel-economy figures and the AAA national average gasoline price read on September 28, 2026, not measured consumption. The HR-V specification table on this page lists a 14-gallon fuel tank. That tank figure helps put the mileage numbers in context, while the annual estimates remain tied to the stated 12,000-mile assumption and the single national average gasoline price used in the calculation.

Fuel Efficiency

Practicality & Everyday Usability

24.4 cu ft cargo behind rear seats

No Magic Seat in this generation (lost vs predecessor)

AWD available

Warranty & Maintenance

On-Road Price & Value for Money

The EX-L AWD's $30,500 sticker buys heated seats, wireless CarPlay and Honda Sensing 360+, but no hybrid exists at any price — and the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid delivers better economy for similar money. The HR-V's case rests on cabin space and Honda's reliability record rather than the window sticker.

Honda HR-V vs Corolla Cross: price, power and fuel economy

Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at a starting price of 26,485 dollars, with 169 horsepower and 32 mpg combined. By comparison, Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 Honda HR-V LX at 27,950 dollars, while the HR-V's carried-over engine is rated at 158 horsepower and its front-wheel-drive version returns 28 mpg combined. Set side by side, those published figures show the Corolla Cross with the lower listed starting price, higher listed horsepower and higher combined mpg than the front-wheel-drive HR-V.

The Corolla Cross also has a hybrid version, which fits the pattern set out in why hybrids are outselling EVs. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid from 30,500 dollars, with 196 horsepower and 42 mpg combined. The HR-V's own specification table on this page states there is no hybrid HR-V at any price, although the larger CR-V does offer one. That same table lists the HR-V EX-L AWD at 9.4 seconds to 60 mph, with 24.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, 55.1 cubic feet maximum cargo capacity, a 14-gallon tank and seating for five.

Comparison with Rivals

Key competitors include the Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is more efficient; the CX-30 is more upscale and engaging. The HR-V is the safe, practical pick.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Comfortable ride

Spacious interior for the segment

Honda Sensing 360+ standard

Reliable powertrain

Cons

No hybrid option

Slow with the 2.0L

No more Magic Seat from previous generation

Overall Rating

3.9 / 5 — roomy, comfortable and dependable, but a 9.4-second 0–60, 27 MPG and the loss of the old Magic Seat leave it trailing the standouts it competes with.

Final Verdict

The 2025 HR-V EX-L AWD is comfortable and practical but feels underpowered. Consider the Corolla Cross Hybrid for similar money with better efficiency.

Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.