Hartford Courant

HR-V continues the commuter tradition

- By Marc D. Grasso 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.

In 2023, with gas prices elevated and interest rates still rising, the cost to drive continues to go up and up. It’s a good thing, then, that Honda’s mindset has not changed. It continues to produce affordable vehicles that last a long time and meet or exceed commuters’ expectatio­ns, all while looking good.

For years, Honda has set the standard for economical and dependable sedans such as the ever popular Civic and Accord, but now it’s making its mark in the SUV market with the HR-V. This week’s tester, the 2023 Honda HR-V AWD EX-L, a 5-door commuter SUV, offers economical transporta­tion for small families and daily commuters.

The 2023 model has a much improved exterior presence over prior generation­s, while on the inside it offers the convenienc­e and utility we’ve come to expect from Honda, with its easy-to-use 9-inch color touchscree­n infotainme­nt system and standard rear camera. Superlativ­e comfort, ample legroom for its class and excellent sight lines makes this a top choice in Grasso’s Garage.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given the the HR-V its Top Safety

Pick + rating, giving it “superior” marks in all categories for front crash prevention ratings.

These are ratings that consumers weigh seriously, especially for smaller vehicles, to know that

the vehicle they are buying has been designed well enough to keep them safe in the event of an accident.

The Honda HR-V ticks all the boxes for a variety of consumers: commuters, new families, those shopping for a good first car and those who are downsizing.

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.

 ?? MARC D. GRASSO/BOSTON HERALD ?? The 2023 Honda HR-V is all-new with improved looks and an eager, Civicbased chassis.
MARC D. GRASSO/BOSTON HERALD The 2023 Honda HR-V is all-new with improved looks and an eager, Civicbased chassis.

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