Preview 2023 Honda HR-V, more mature looks, $24,895 price tag.

Honda has unveiled the redesigned Honda HR-V for 2023. This subcompact crossover features a lot of Civic styling and content both inside and out.

This is not surprising given that the HR-V, which heads to U.S. showrooms in early June, will ride on the same platform as the compact sedan and borrow one of its powertrains. We had the chance to see the new HR-V in Los Angeles last month and get an up-close look at how these changes feel.

The redesigned HR-V will be offered in three trims: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Pricing starts at $24,895 for the LX, which includes a $1,245 destination charge, followed by $26,895 for the Sport and $28,695 for the EX-L.

The previous generation HR-V, with its awkward proportions and oddly sloping tailgate, has smoothed out most of those rough edges, and the 2023 HR-V will actually have a longer hood, standard LED lights on each end, and the fact that many small SUVs of this type are handsome design features, including the same black trim that is used to convince people that it is a utility vehicle rather than a tall wagon. Many of the angular elements of the old HR-V have been eliminated, emphasizing the smooth lines and prominent fenders, giving it a hippie look, especially from the rear.

The mid-level "Sport" grade has several unique design features, including 18-inch black wheels, a black spoiler (rather than body-color), large exhaust tips, and a wavy front grille. Don't be surprised if Honda decides to offer the HR-V with a TrailSport badge; the TrailSport grade will be introduced on the updated 2022 Passport SUV, and Honda has indicated that it will be offered on other models as well.

There is only one engine option, a 158 hp 2.0-liter inline-4, the base engine of the Civic, mated to a continuously variable transmission. According to Honda, the HR-V will have a different CVT tuning than the Civic, which we hope will make what we thought was a poor powertrain more energetic. all HR-Vs come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as a $1,500 option. The AWD system now sends more torque to the rear than before to improve vehicle dynamics, and there is a new snow mode for better performance in slick conditions.

The 2023 HR-V has grown significantly for this new generation. The wheelbase has grown 1.7 inches to 104.5 inches, while the overall length has increased significantly to 179.8 inches. This represents a 9.4-inch increase over the previous model, giving the HR-V a larger presence on the road. Curiously, according to Honda's specifications, this growth actually reduced rear legroom (down from 39.3 inches to 37.7 inches) and increased cargo space by only 0.1 cubic feet to 24.4 behind the rear seats. However, sitting in the new HR-V, the back seat feels much wider, and the larger windows significantly improve visibility for both passenger and driver.

Inside, the styling is pure Civic, with the same honeycomb metallic vents and metal switches that give the HR-V's cabin a more upscale feel than its competitors. The infotainment touchscreen sits above the flat dashboard and comes with a 7.0-inch screen on the LX and Sport models and a larger 9.0-inch screen on the EX-L, which also adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (these smaller screens require a wired connection). The front seats do not have thigh extensions, but they are very supportive and adequate for long drives.

Between the front seats are USB ports on either side for easy charging for both occupants, and there is storage space under the drive mode and parking brake controls. A new standard 7.0-inch display can also be found in the instrument cluster, although the Civic's full digital display is not offered.

Standard safety features are robust and include automatic forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow-up, active lane control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring is standard on the Sport and above, and the EX-L adds front and rear parking sensors.

The updates to the 2023 HR-V improve on many of the current model's shortcomings, and the added size improves livability (rear seat passengers will thank you). And while we won't know for sure until we drive it, the move to the Civic platform should improve ride quality and make the HR-V feel more rooted to the road.

Honda is not standing still on the redesigned HR-V, with the CR-V and Pilot redesigns also due soon, both of which have been spotted testing.