Getting your first car is a big deal. Often your budget is constrained. You quickly realize that $22,000 doesn't go very far when shopping new and consider how low your expectations need to go. And then you start to debate whether a reliable used car might not make more sense. For those on this new vs. used fence, Honda offers the HR-V crossover, a subcompact sport utility (affectionately called a cute-ute in the industry) that contains all the right stuff for practical and affordable transportation.
The HR-V provides all-wheel drive for inclement weather, and its four-cylinder engine promises great fuel economy. Flexible seating and cargo spaces tidily carry family, gear, or both.
At first blush, the HR-V appears to be a fully finished product, while other SUVs of this size come off as half-baked or built-to-price. The HR-V is based on the Honda Fit -- a practical, fuel-efficient hatchback that CR felt was a decent value for the money.
By the numbers, the HR-V delivers mixed results. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) returned 29 mpg overall in our tests -- the best of any non-hybrid SUV and better than many compact sedans. And that's with the added weight of the all-wheel-drive system.
But the physical driving experience is another matter. It feels underpowered, an impression exacerbated by the noisy droning of the CVT. It takes a ponderous 10.5 seconds for our AWD version to reach 60 mph. That makes a difference when merging onto a highway.
Handling is responsive and secure, despite vague and numb steering feedback that results in a lack of any actual driving enjoyment. The car inspires confidence when pushed to its limits in our avoidance maneuver test. But its ride is jarring, especially over ruts and potholes.
Like most subcompact crossovers, the HR-V is not intended to go off-road, except for the occasional gravel or well-groomed dirt trail. The choppy ride and loud cabin make even the shortest drives a fatiguing affair. And keep a chiropractor on call: The seats are devoid of lumbar support. If you have a long commute, the HR-V is not your ride.
For urban drivers who focus on practicality, parking and maneuverability are a snap. It feels as if you're driving a tall car, not a brawny SUV.
One of the best feats of magic about the HR-V is the impressive amount of stuff it can stow. It is easily up for any Costco run. The HR-V's low floor and flexible rear seats offer several ways of maximizing cargo space. Fold the seats down for a surprisingly capacious cargo area. Flip the rear-seat cushion up, and you can stash two bikes inside-standing up. Two adults can comfortably sit in back on long trips without any hip, knee, or back pain -- no aspirin needed.
The controls in our LX prove that you can have simplicity without giving up connectivity. Bluetooth phone and audio streaming are standard, and the five-inch screen clearly displays the image from the standard backup camera.
If you are tempted to move up to the EX or EX-L Navi trim levels -- which adds $2,000 to $4,000 to the tab -- be warned that you'll be saddled with a frustrating audio system. Its lack of knobs and buttons, plus unintuitive on-screen logic, makes even the simplest adjustments -- like changing the volume -- a challenge. It's actually better to get the less expensive LX model.
Let's be clear: the HR-V is not ideal if you require refinement and civility. But at $22,045 for an LX with all-wheel drive, it is competitively priced, offers a ton of practicality, and has wallet-friendly fuel economy. And it would make a very good first new car.