Honda HR-V continues the commuter tradition
Economy is and has always been Honda’s strong point
In 2023, with gas prices elevated and interest rates still rising, vehicles are certainly a monthly conversation as the cost to drive continues to go up and up. For Honda though, the mindset has not changed. Produce affordable vehicles that last a long time, meet or exceed the expectation of the typical commuter all while looking good and have easy usability. Clearly many Honda vehicles fall in that footprint like the ever popular Civic or Accord, but now in the SUV market it’s all the HR-V. Last year, we tested Toyota’s version which was nice, but did not offer the attention to detail we are accustomed to.
This week’s tester, the 2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L, a 5-door commuter SUV, fit for small families, daily commuters or economical transportation. Our Nordic Forest exterior showed a great color and a beefed up exterior presence over prior generations combined to be a really nice vehicle. On the inside, it’s a typical Honda with its easy to use 9” color touchscreen infotainment system and rear camera standard. Super comfortable, great legroom for the class and excellent sightlines makes this a top choice in Grasso’s Garage.
Both exterior-wise and interior-wise the HR-V has seen drastic updates, all for the good.
Recently, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) granted the Top Safety Pick + Rating to the HR-V confirming “superior” status in all crashworthiness categories for front crash prevention ratings; this is a great award and one that consumers put strong weight against ensuring that smaller vehicles are still designed correctly in the event of an accident.
The Honda HR-V has many uses, consumers and needs, not only is it a great commuter, but a good first car, a great vehicle for downsizing, and an excellent choice for new families.
When it comes to bang for the buck, consumers really have a strong spot as for some, vehicles are just sources of transportation and this one really surfaces in Grasso’s Garage. For an MSRP that is under $30K, the HR-V is really a show-stopper. It’s so good that we have declared it Grasso’s Garage Economical SUV of the Year; Great Job Honda, I wouldn’t expect any less.
Grasso’s Garage is here for you! Are you in the market for a new car? I would be happy to provide my honest input. All you have to do is email me: marc. grasso@bostonherald.com.