2027 Honda HRV Review: Still One Of The Best Small SUVs, But Honda Needs More Power
Table of Contents
The 2027 Honda HRV returns with no major changes this year, but Honda has quietly increased pricing across the lineup. The compact SUV still focuses on practicality, interior quality, and reliability instead of outright speed or flashy tech.
Honda refreshed the HRV just last year, so the overall design and feature list mostly carry over into 2027. That means buyers still get a clean looking crossover with solid cabin quality and excellent space for the segment. But there is one issue that continues to stand out: the powertrain.
2027 Honda HRV Engine And Performance
Every 2027 Honda HRV comes with the same 2.0 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb ft of torque. Honda pairs it with a CVT automatic transmission.
Front wheel drive comes standard, while all wheel drive remains optional on every trim level. Fuel economy stands at:
| Variant | Fuel Economy |
|---|---|
| FWD HRV | 28 MPG combined |
| AWD HRV | 27 MPG combined |
On paper, those numbers are decent. In reality, several rivals now offer better fuel economy along with stronger acceleration.
The HRV takes roughly 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, which makes it one of the slower options in the subcompact SUV segment. Around town it feels smooth enough, but hard acceleration exposes the lack of torque.
Honda’s simple naturally aspirated setup should still appeal to buyers who value long term reliability over performance. Many competitors now use turbocharged three cylinder engines or hybrid systems, while the HRV sticks with a traditional setup.
Still, the biggest missed opportunity here is obvious. Honda already has an excellent hybrid system in the Civic Hybrid, and it would completely transform the HRV if added here.
Exterior Design Still Looks Premium
Honda did not reinvent the HRV design for 2027, but honestly, it still looks modern enough.
The front end continues with a soft styled grille design, while the EX L trim gets gloss black accents for a slightly more upscale appearance. Every trim comes standard with full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED turn indicators.
At the rear, the HRV keeps its distinct look compared to the larger Honda CRV. One of the highlights remains the standard full LED tail lights across all trims. Even amber turn signals are included, which is something buyers appreciate.
Honda also equips most trims with 18 inch alloy wheels. The updated wheel design introduced last year continues into 2027.
Exterior Highlights
• Standard LED headlights and tail lights
• Available AWD on every trim
• Gloss black exterior trim on EX L
• 18 inch alloy wheels on most trims
• Blind spot monitoring available from Sport trim upward
The HRV measures around 179 inches long, making it smaller than the CRV but still one of the roomier vehicles in its class.
Interior Is Easily One Of HRV’s Biggest Strengths
The cabin remains one of the best parts of the HRV.
Honda uses soft touch materials across much of the dashboard, along with leatherette trim and stitching on higher trims. Honestly, some areas even feel slightly nicer than the CRV.
The EX L trim gets leatherette seats with eight way power adjustment, though lumbar support and memory seats are missing. Lower trims continue with cloth seating.
The layout stays clean and easy to use. Honda avoided turning everything into touchscreen controls, which many buyers will appreciate.
2027 Honda HRV Features And Technology
Honda made the 9 inch infotainment display standard across the entire HRV lineup after last year’s refresh.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, but Google Built In is still not available here.
Physical climate controls remain one of the best parts of the cabin. They are simple, easy to reach, and honestly much better than overly complicated touch sensitive systems.
Available Features
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard |
| Wireless Android Auto | Standard |
| Wireless phone charger | Standard |
| Heated seats | Sport and EX L |
| Dual zone climate control | EX L |
| Auto dimming mirror | EX L |
| Sunroof | EX L |
| Parking sensors | EX L |
Honda also includes its full Honda Sensing safety suite as standard equipment.
That includes:
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic jam assist
• Lane keeping assist
• Collision mitigation braking
Rear Seat Space Is Surprisingly Good
This is where the HRV quietly beats several competitors.
Rear seat legroom measures 37.7 inches, which is better than rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX30. Headroom comes in at 38 inches.
Adults can comfortably sit in the second row without feeling cramped, which is not always true in this segment.
The downside is the lack of rear features.
There is:
• No rear armrest
• No rear USB ports
• No rear air vents
So while the space is impressive, the rear seat still feels basic compared to some newer rivals.
Cargo Space And Practicality
Cargo space remains another HRV strength.
| Cargo Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Cargo space behind rear seats | 24 cubic feet |
| Maximum cargo capacity | 55 cubic feet |
The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split configuration, and Honda still includes a spare tire underneath the cargo floor.
For a subcompact SUV, those are genuinely useful numbers.
Ride Quality And Handling
The HRV rides comfortably for a small SUV. It handles bumps well and feels composed during daily driving.
Because it shares its platform with the Honda Civic, handling is actually better than many people expect. Steering feels balanced and controlled without becoming overly sporty.
Road noise, however, remains an issue. Cabin sound levels measured around 60.6 dB at highway speeds, placing the HRV on the louder side of the segment.
2027 Honda HRV Pricing
Honda increased pricing for 2027 despite making almost no changes.
Here is the updated pricing:
| Trim | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Base HRV | $26,600 |
| Fully Loaded EX L AWD | Around $33,400 |
That fully loaded price includes destination charges.
At that point, some buyers may start considering larger SUVs or hybrid alternatives.
Reliability, Warranty, And Resale Value
Honda continues to perform extremely well in reliability and resale value rankings.
According to the data mentioned in the review:
• 5 year resale value retention: 64.8%
• 10 year resale value retention: 34.34%
Honda also remains one of the highest rated brands for reliability overall.
Warranty Coverage
| Warranty Type | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Complimentary maintenance | 1 year / 12,000 miles |
Final Verdict
The 2027 Honda HRV continues to make sense for buyers who want a practical, reliable, and spacious small SUV without unnecessary complexity.
The interior quality is excellent for the class. Passenger space is genuinely impressive. Honda’s reputation for reliability also remains a major selling point.
But the weak point has not changed.
The naturally aspirated engine feels underpowered, fuel economy trails some rivals, and the absence of a hybrid option becomes harder to ignore every year.
If Honda eventually adds the Civic Hybrid system into the HRV, this could easily become one of the best all around subcompact SUVs on sale. Until then, the HRV remains a solid but slightly incomplete package.
Sources And References
2027 Honda HR V FAQ
What engine does the 2027 Honda HR V use?
The 2027 Honda HR V uses a 2.0 litre naturally aspirated four cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb ft of torque. It comes with a CVT automatic transmission.
Is all wheel drive available on the 2027 Honda HR V?
Yes. Front wheel drive comes standard, and all wheel drive is available across the lineup.
How fuel efficient is the 2027 Honda HR V?
The front wheel drive HR V is rated at 28 MPG combined, while the all wheel drive version returns 27 MPG combined.
How quick is the 2027 Honda HR V?
It takes around 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, so it is built more for smooth daily driving than fast acceleration.
What is the cargo space of the 2027 Honda HR V?
Cargo space measures 24 cubic feet behind the second row and 55 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear seats also fold in a 60/40 split.
Does the 2027 Honda HR V have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto come standard on the 2027 Honda HR V.
What is the starting price of the 2027 Honda HR V?
The base price starts at $26,600. A fully loaded EX L AWD model comes in at around $33,400 with destination included.
Is the 2027 Honda HR V a good family SUV?
It makes a strong case if you want space, comfort, reliability, and a simple layout. The rear seat and cargo area are useful, but the engine is still the weak point.
