You have to hand it to Honda. When it comes to using as much interior space as possible, they’re among the best in the industry, if not the best. They’ve proved this time again over the years: the Element was a box on wheels, you could cram a lot of stuff into a Fit, and the current Civic is roomier than a good number of today’s crossovers and SUVs. This trend continues with the 2025 Honda HR-V—with the Fit long gone from the Canadian market, its spiritual replacement steps up to the plate, channelling the same big-car-in-a-small-package energy to stand out in a crowded segment.

When this second-generation HR-V debuted for the 2023 model year, it was a significant change for the better. It grew in size but not too much—making it more practical for more buyers, but without losing the right-sized feel of its predecessor. Honda also reworked the HR-V’s overall look considerably, trading its predecessor’s cuteness for a more grown-up appearance now. I’m not a fan of the wheel design on our top-trim EX-L tester—they’re too small for my liking—but for the most part, the HR-V is a handsome option that will probably age better than a Hyundai Kona.

Honda HR-V interior: punching in above its weight

Inside, if you’ve spent any time in the current-generation Civic, the 2025 Honda HR-V will feel very familiar. The honeycomb trim, running across the dashboard and disguising the air vents, is still present and still rather attractive. The materials and surfaces you regularly interact with feel solid and high-quality. The contrast stitching and metallic trim break up the sea of black nicely. Best of all, despite the HR-V’s overall compact footprint, everything is easy to use and ergonomically placed. I liked the lower tray on the centre console below the shifter, keeping things like your phone and cables accessible but out of sight, and I really liked that Honda still uses proper buttons and knobs for climate control and infotainment.

Speaking of, base HR-Vs come with a seven-inch touchscreen display, while our EX-L tester has a larger nine-inch screen. Both lag behind competitors, but at least the software is just as easy to use as the rest of the HR-V. Two issues worth mentioning are the part-digital, part-analog gauge cluster—Honda, just pick one or the other—and the quality of the back-up camera image. At night, the view is washed-out and nearly unusable, especially in the rain or snow.

Walking up to the HR-V for the very first time, I was worried how well my six-foot-three frame would fit. Those worries melted away very quickly. Getting in and out wasn’t a problem, and I had plenty of headroom, though I did feel a little confined wearing my winter jacket on longer drives. Cargo space is more than respectable, with 691 litres available with the second-row seats up, plus some extra under the cargo floor cover. Put the seats down, and that grows to 1,559 litres.

How does the Honda HR-V drive?

The 2025 Honda HR-V only comes with one engine option: a 2.0-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder. It produces 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired to a very smooth CVT—one of the smoothest in the industry— and sent to all four wheels. While the HR-V feels peppy off the line and around town, it does struggle a bit on the highway. Foot to the floor, expect a zero-to-100 km/h run in about 10 seconds, and that’s just with the driver and no additional cargo. Honda swapping in the 2025 Civic’s very good hybrid powertrain would be a game-changer.

Given the lazy acceleration, I counted on better-than-expected fuel economy, but I was disappointed here. Honda rates the HR-V at 9.4 L/100 km in the city, 7.8 highway, and 8.7 combined. I averaged 9.0L/100 km, which is well within Honda’s ratings, but I saw similar fuel economy from the much peppier and more powerful Kona. Fortunately, Honda’s chassis makes up for a lot: the ride is smooth and comfortable, the steering and brakes feel great, and the AWD system handled a couple of snowstorms with ease and confidence.

Verdict: is the 2025 HR-V worth it?

The HR-V ranges from $29,960 for the entry level, front-wheel-drive LX 2WD trim, to $38,360 for the fully loaded EX-L, all before any additional fees and taxes. Factoring in another $300 for the optional Nordic Frost Pearl paint job, you’re looking at $38,660 as-tested. You do get a lot for the money, such as wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and an average-at-best eight-speaker sound system, among other features.

The 2025 Honda HR-V is a good offering in the segment. It’s not the quickest or the all-out roomiest, but it feels solid, it’s more than spacious inside without feeling too big for its own good, and has all-wheel-drive. Given Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and resale value, the HR-V should keep buyers happy for years to come.