As your local Honda dealer near Mahwah, the team here at Middletown Honda knows the unique demands of the area. You might spend one weekend exploring the great outdoors, loading up the kayak, or checking another local hiking trail off your list, while the next weekend might be spent venturing into the city to enjoy a show, take in a concert, or try that new restaurant everyone has been talking about. This sort of agenda requires a vehicle that can keep pace, seamlessly transitioning from the backwoods to the big city.
Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the Honda HR-V. Honda's subcompact crossover SUV makes good on that name with a sporty yet practical ride that has made it an important part of the brand's lineup since its 2016 debut. So, what makes the HR-V such a standout option in the crowded crossover segment? From its versatile capability to its ultra-efficient powertrain to its impressive cargo room and advanced driving tech, the HR-V is the complete package. Learn more as we dive into the details and see what makes the HR-V such a good fit for Mahwah drivers.
Versatile Capability
The HR-V is packed with a long list of features that allow drivers to enjoy a safe, consistent, and fun ride no matter what sort of terrain they might encounter. From city streets and highways to gravel roads to your favorite campsite or lakeside retreat, the HR-V can adapt to a wide variety of conditions. The subcompact might not be a true off-roader in the classic sense, but some drivers might be surprised to learn just how capable the diminutive crossover is when the going gets tough.
It all starts with ground clearance. The HR-V comes standard with seven inches of ground clearance that should instill a lot of confidence when venturing off the beaten path, but the Sport trim takes it one step further with an additional 0.3 inches of elevation. The HR-V also delivers an impressive 16.6-degree approach angle and 21.2-degree departure angle. These figures are vital when trying to avoid the bumps, dents, and scrapes that are normally a part of the off-road experience, allowing the HR-V to look its best no matter where your next excursion might take you.
This SUV comes standard with front-wheel drive, but the available Real Time AWD system goes a long way toward upping its off-road profile. With power going to all four wheels and the Intelligent Control System tailoring the HR-V's torque to meet changing road conditions, drivers can blaze a path through snow, sleet, rain, and loose off-road surfaces with the sort of traction that only an AWD system can provide. If you're looking to make your way up to the mountains for a little winter fun, the HR-V's available Snow Mode will allow you to carve through the white stuff like a skier tracing a path through a slalom course. Snow Mode adjusts the HR-V's steering and transmission to better handle the slippery conditions that can come with a little snowfall, but it's not the only bit of advanced driving tech that's packed into the adaptable SUV.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) serves as a sort of off-road cruise control, giving drivers the ability to safely make their way down a steep hill without having to babysit the brake pedal. Just engage HDC when driving downhill at less than 12 mph, and the HR-V will maintain a set speed while you focus on the twists, turns, and other obstacles that might lie in your path. Hill Start Assist (HSA) solves one of the most annoying—and dangerous—aspects of stopping in the middle of an ascent. While the average vehicle is prone to rolling backward when accelerating up a hill from a dead stop, HSA kicks in at just the right moment to prevent this sort of slippage.
Fuel Economy
Subcompact crossovers offer the best of both worlds, letting you take advantage of all the utility that defines the SUV segment while still maximizing fuel economy. As Honda's smallest crossover, the 2025 HR-V excels in the efficiency department, offering an EPA-estimated 26 MPG on the highway and 32 MPG in the city.[a] Those numbers do drop slightly on the AWD model, but the trade-off might not be as drastic as it first appears.
When opting for AWD, the 2025 HR-V gets an EPA-estimated 25 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.[a] That latter rating should be an especially relevant figure for Mahwah residents who often find themselves on the highway to get to all the nearby destinations. This makes the HR-V the perfect crossover for those seeking a reliable, efficient vehicle for their daily commute, allowing drivers to journey from their home to the office without emptying the tank.
While the stop-and-go traffic typical of the daily commute might see HR-V owners expend a little extra fuel, it's certainly hard to be too critical of the crossover from an efficiency perspective. This remarkable fuel economy makes the already impressive HR-V an even better deal, not to mention the obvious environmental benefits that come with such a thrifty powertrain.
Cargo Room
The HR-V defies its subcompact designation with its roomy cabin. The crossover's notable cargo room makes it the ideal companion for those weekend adventures, whether you're toting along camping equipment, surfboards, skis, and whatever else you might need for a couple of days of off-the-grid fun at any of the area's outdoor gems. With an everyday cargo capacity of 24.4 cu.ft., the HR-V outshines many other subcompact SUVs. Competing models like the Subaru Crosstrek, Buick Encore GX, and Kia Soul all fall behind the HR-V when it comes to rear cargo space.
But there's more to cargo capacity than raw numbers. Honda has also made the most of the HR-V's relatively modest cabin with some shrewd storage solutions that allow the crossover to punch well above its weight. Large doors and easy-access LATCH anchors make loading and securing car seats a breeze, while the low-load floor maximizes interior storage.If the 24.4 cu.ft. of standard cargo capacity isn't enough to get the job down, simply flip down the HR-V's second-row seats to up the number to 55.1 cu.ft.
It's a trick worthy of a magic show and one that goes a long way toward improving the HR-V's already impressive reputation for utility. Do you need to bring along some larger gear like kayaks and skis? Honda offers a number of clever storage solutions straight from the factory, including roof racks and a roof basket that dramatically increases the crossover's total storage capacity. The HR-V might not be able to compete with larger midsize and full-size SUVs on the market in terms of pure cargo room, but it certainly outshines the rest of its subcompact competition.
The Wondrous Honda HR-V
We've only touched on a few aspects of the HR-V's expansive arsenal of features, but there's a lot more to discover when you make your way to Middletown Honda for a test drive. Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, and Snow Mode might come in clutch for adventurous applications, but what about upping the excitement factor? Sport Mode ups the throttle and engine response for an extra boost of acceleration, while paddle shifters give drivers more control with the ability to change gears with a simple flick of the fingers.
This crossover is also packed with a generous array of infotainment and comfort technologies like a wireless smartphone charging pad and Wi-Fi hotspot, not to mention safety-enhancing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, a Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control. From the depths of the New Jersey wilderness to the bustling city streets of NYC, the Honda HR-V is ready to tackle whatever Mahwah can throw at it.