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Racing! April 5 Honda Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show

Racing! April 5 Honda Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show

 Bimonthly Cars, Bikes & Coffee Shows are an enthusiasts’ open house at the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif.

Enthusiasts at The entrance to the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif.

The entrance to the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif. (Photos courtesy of American Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Honda is powered up for its April 5 Cars, Coffee & Bikes show at American Honda headquarters, 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501. The show is themed “Racing” and will be a celebration of all forms of auto and powersports racing. It is also the kick-off party for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach — held the following weekend — which American Honda sponsors.

“We’ll have the biggest display of Honda and Acura auto and Honda motorcycle race vehicles yet,” said Carl C. Pulley, Honda Heritage Public Relations. Six HRC Supercross and Motocross championship bikes will be on view.

Participants can drive their own race car, bike, or other performance vehicle in the Parade of Performance.

A Racing Showcase

The April 5 bimonthly gathering of enthusiasts — Honda and non-Honda — will showcase a significant collection of race vehicles. The event honors the 75th year of Formula One, the 60th anniversary of Honda’s first F1 race win, and the 50th running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Among the special exhibits and activities will be:

  • Ayrton Senna’s 1992 McLaren MP4/7 F1 racecar
  • Current Red Bull Racing F1 display racecar
  • Current Honda IndyCar display racecar
  • Acura ARX-05 IMSA racecar
  • Acura NSX GT3 racecar
  • Honda Baja Ridgeline race truck
  • Ricky Carmichael’s 2004 450 MX Champ (First CRF450R championship)
  • Jett Lawrence’s 2021 250 MX champ
  • Hunter Lawrence’s 2023 250 SX east/MX champ
  • Chase Sexton’s 2023 450 SX champ
  • Jett Lawrence’s 2023 450 MX champ (Perfect Season)
  • Jett Lawrence’s 2024 450 SX champ

There will also be an IndyCar photo-op where attendees can get behind the wheel of a vintage Lola racecar to take photos. A racing simulator will show the Long Beach Grand Prix circuit.

Honda 0 Series Prototypes On View

Also featured will be the first public showing of the Honda 0 Series Saloon and SUV Prototypes. Production versions of the new 0 Series line of battery electric vehicles are expected to launch in North America in 2026, followed by global markets. Both midsize models will be built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.

The interior of the SUV prototype illustrates the company’s direction to offer a new value for its future Honda 0 Series EVs as a “space” for people. Both sedan and SUV will debut automated driving technologies backed by Honda’s Level 3 automated driving technology. Honda says the technology is “highly reliable.”

A nose to nose image of the futuristic looking Honda 0 prototype SUV and sedan

Honda 0 Saloon & Honda 0 SUV prototypes.

Honda C&C

The themed bimonthly shows get an average of 2,500 attendees, including entrance to the Honda museum, a live DJ, food trucks, free coffee, and special exhibits.

“The Feb. 15 show broke a record with 3,900 people showing up,” Pulley said. “The addition was most likely due to the Trailsport Adventure off-road ride-along experience in the new 2026 Passport Trailsport.”

Those attending also get free admittance to the American Honda Collection Hall.

The 20,000-square-foot museum space presents a timeline of American Honda vehicles and corporate growth since its U.S. start in 1959. More than 60 vehicles from Honda and Acura are on view, including motorcycles, power products, engines, and racing machines. The Collection Hall displays will be updated several times a year to highlight different products and themes.

The collection hall is in Honda’s U.S. headquarters lobby, 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501.

the Acura ARX-05 IMSA racecar at speed on a track.

#6 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron

Upcoming 2025 Cars, Bikes & Coffee Shows

June 21: “Summer’s Here” car and bike fun in the sun

Aug. 16: “Heritage & Museums” old-school cool

Oct. 18: “Customizing” Halloween/Día de los Muertos special

Dec. 13: “Clubs & Community” holiday event with toy drive

IF YOU GO

The American Honda Collection Hall is at 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501. Gates to the American Honda parking lot open at 7:30 a.m., with activities beginning at 9 a.m.

Learn more about the shows and the collection hall here.

American Honda Collection Honors Car Clubs, Community at Dec. 14 Event

American Honda Collection Honors Car Clubs, Community at Dec. 14 Event

Bimonthly Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show at the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif., is an enthusiasts’ open house 

Car enthusiasts stroll the lobby of American Honda in Torrance California

Shop for Honda-Acura merch in the American Honda lobby in Torrance, Calif. (Photos courtesy of American Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

American Honda is in the holiday spirit for its Dec. 14 Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show. This gathering of the third Saturday events honors Clubs & Community and features a Toy Drive. Clubs will get special entry and space to display vehicles and promote their work. The toy drive is in collaboration with the City of Torrance. Those who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive a special thank you commemorative item.

The Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show is a free enthusiast event held every other month. Fans of all models, makes, and eras of automobiles and motorcycles are welcome. Each show includes free admittance to the museum and the Power of Dreams boutique of Honda-Acura merch.

The gatherings also feature:

  • DJ Music
  • Vendors
  • Starbucks and food trucks
  • Giveaways
  • Special exhibitors
a formula style race car on view in the Honda American Collection Hall

Honda Racing has a big presence in the museum.

The 20,000-square-foot Collection Hall museum opened in mid-September 2024. More than 60 vehicles are displayed from Honda and Acura, including motorcycles, power products, engines, and racing machines.

Each cars and coffee show attracts a consistent 1,200 vehicles and 2,500 enthusiasts, Carl Pulley, American Honda Heritage, said in a release. The grand opening of the Collection Hall was last September.

2025 CARS, BIKES & COFFEE SHOWS

Feb. 15; April 5; June 21; Aug. 16; Oct. 18; Dec. 13.

IF YOU GO

The American Honda Collection Hall is at 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501. Gates to the American Honda parking lot open at 7:30 a.m., with showtime from 9 a.m. to noon.

Learn more about American Honda Heritage here.

American Honda Collection Hall

Racing! April 5 Honda Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show

The American Honda Collection Hall showcases Honda’s history in the U.S. since 1959

The dis[play opened Sept.12, 2023, at company headquarters in Torrance, California

The American Honda Collection Hall at company headquarters in Torrance, Calif., is walk-through learning experience of milestones. (Photography courtesy of American Honda)

Table of Contents

The Power of Dreams
Cars, Bikes & Coffee Events
Honda Cars On View
Motorcycles On View
Power Equipment
Honda-Acura Race Cars

BY MARK MAYNARD

The grand opening of the American Honda Collection Hall was yet another dream realized for the first Japanese automaker to begin sales in the United States.

The expansive collection hall opened Sept. 12, 2023, at U.S. company headquarters in Torrance, Calif. Dozens of media, Honda racers, and fans gathered for the red-logo day of fanfare. There were tributes to associates and longtime and retired American Honda personnel. The Torrance mayor and pro tem mayor spoke of American Honda’s significant contributions to the community in the last 60 years.

Headlining the grand opening was Noriya Kaihara, president and CEO-director of American Honda Motor Co. He spoke of mobility for the future, sustainability in auto production, and the power of dreams, the company’s marketing tagline and corporate philosophy.

Kaihara joined Honda in 1984, spending much of his early career in the service division of Honda Motor Co. He assumed his current role at American Honda on Oct. 1, 2021.

More than six decades of American Honda Motor Co. are on view

The collection hall represents more than six decades since American Honda Motor Co. was established in 1959 at a modest storefront in Los Angeles.

Honda’s Power of Dreams

“Our new American Honda Collection Hall reflects the important connection between the dreams and passion of Honda associates and the joy experienced by customers who love their Honda products and racing fans thrilled by our checkered flag successes,” said Kaihara. “Everyone at Honda is honored to share the expressions of our history in America that are on display in the form of products and technology that have helped move people and society forward.”

American Honda Motor Co. opened in a small storefront in Los Angeles on June 11, 1959. The Japanese brand started in the U.S. selling motorbikes — the Honda Dream, Honda C92 Benly, and Honda Super Cub, known as the Honda 50, in the U.S.

It was the foothold of an upstart to disrupt American motorcycle sales, including by Harley-Davidson and European makes.

The small office at 4077 West Pico Boulevard was moved to the nearby suburb of Gardena at 100 West Alondra in 1963. In 1990, headquarters was relocated to its existing address at 1919 Torrance Boulevard in Torrance. The Honda headquarters occupies 101 acres.

A glass display case of awards

The honors wall.

Embracing the Community

Located in the main lobby of American Honda headquarters, the museum is a way to bring the (car) community to Honda, said CEO Kaihara. The American Honda Collection Hall will be open to the public during regular “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events starting Oct. 21, 2023.

While there was a previous museum at HQ, it was not open to the public. The new collection hall is a complete redesign, an open and airy walk-through learning experience of milestones. The 20,000-square-foot hall displays more than 60 vehicles from Honda and Acura, motorcycles, power products, engines, and racing machines.

The display will be updated several times a year to highlight different products and themes. Just added in 2024 is a new display of 12 electrified vehicles, concepts, and race cars, including the new Honda Prologue EV, Acura ZDX EV, 2nd-generation NSX, and a custom 1991 Civic EV Pikes Peak racer.

The collection hall is a 20,000-square-foot showcase of Honda milestone vehicles and events.

Honda’s collection hall is a 20,000-square-foot showcase of milestone vehicles and events.

Cars, Bikes & Coffee Events

The collection hall will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon on third Saturdays for “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events. All interesting automobiles and motorcycles from all manufacturers and eras are welcome for attendees to display.

The events typically include giveaways, special displays, vendors, food trucks, and music. And, of course, participants can shop the merchandise display of Honda wearables and more.

Car clubs can plan to attend any upcoming events: April 13, 2024; June 15, 2024; Aug. 17, 2024; Oct. 19, 2024; and Dec. 21, 2024.

To learn more about the Collection Hall and event information, visit hondacollectionhall.com.

Some examples of products currently on display:

Honda merchandise for sale in the museum

Honda merch.

Honda Cars On View

1970 Honda N600 Coupe – The first Honda automobile sold in the U.S. used an air-cooled 600cc two-cylinder engine and retailed for just $1,395.

1975 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback – The first car to meet the emissions standards of the 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act without needing a catalytic converter.

1979 Honda Accord CVCC Hatchback – The first Accord debuted in 1976 as a three-door hatchback powered by Honda’s revolutionary Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) 4-cylinder engine.

1985 Honda CRX Si – The first performance Honda Si model sold in America, a sporty 2-seat coupe with Honda’s advanced PGM-FI fuel injection.

1986 Acura Legend – The performance luxury touring sedan that launched the Acura brand alongside the Integra.

1991 Acura NSX supercar – The revolutionary hand-built, exotic mid-engine sports car showcased Honda’s technical prowess.

1997 Honda CR-V – Honda’s first in-house SUV helped establish a new breed of compact sport utility vehicle with car-like ride and handling.

2006 Honda Insight – Introduced in 2000, Insight was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid passenger vehicle sold in the U.S.

Honda motorcycles on display

Honda’s motorcycling milestones.

Honda Motorcycles On View

1962 Honda 50/Super Cub – One of the first three models Honda sold in the U.S. The Super Cub is now the overall bestselling vehicle globally, with over 100 million sold.

1969 Honda CB750A – Widely considered the first superbike and called “the Motorcycle of the Century” by Motorcyclist magazine.

1973 Honda CR/RC250 Elsinore – Honda’s first production motocross motorcycle and the first product Honda manufactured in the U.S., named after the famous Elsinore Grand Prix.

1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing – Redefined long-distance touring motorcycles with a revolutionary horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.

1981 Honda CBX1000 – Honda’s first motorcycle with more than 100 hp, powered by a 1000cc six-cylinder engine.

1983 Honda VF750F – The revolutionary VF750F used a liquid-cooled DOHC V4 engine and a stiff square-tube frame that also helped it dominate superbike racing in the mid-1980s.

1990 Honda VFR750R/RC30 – A homologation special created for competition in the “World Superbike Championship.” 

1992 Honda NR750 – The most technically advanced motorcycle at the time, iconic for its oval-piston engine design and other innovations.

2004 Honda RVT1000R/RC51 – A street version of Honda’s championship-winning V-twin superbike.

Honda power equipment and marine engines in the collection

Honda power equipment and marine engines in the collection.

Honda Power Equipment

1964 Honda CB30 Marine Outboard Engine – Honda’s first outboard marine engine featured a revolutionary four-stroke design.

1965 Honda E300 Generator – The first generator to combine 300-watt output. It was quiet, easy to use, and in a compact design that could be carried with one hand.

2023 Honda GF5 Marine Outboard Engine – A Compact and lightweight portable outboard engine provides a complete performance package for small boats and dinghies.

Honda-Acura Race Cars

1992 Acura Spice GTP-Lights – Powered by a modified Acura NSX V6 engine, carried veteran driver Parker Johnstone to the Drivers’ championship in the IMSA Camel GT Lights series.

1996 Reynard 961-031 Indy Car – Honda/Reynard driven by Indy Car Drivers’ Champion Jimmy Vasser and Rookie of the Year Alex Zanardi.

1997 Acura Integra Realtime – RealTime Racing and the Acura Integra Type R forged a race-winning record that remained unbroken after nearly two decades.

Honda race cars on display

Honda’s racing history is on display.

Honda Civic Type R Review

Honda Civic Type R Review

If looks could kill. The 315-hp 2023 Honda Civic Type R is a purpose-engineered track star with manners

a championship white Honda Civic Type photographed on a corner of the Sonoma raceway

With 315 turbocharged horsepower, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R is the most powerful model in Type R’s 30-year history. (Photography courtesy of American Honda)

Table of Contents

Engineered Durability
Pricing
Performance
Roll on the Power
Datalogger
Ride and Handling
A Couple of Considerations
Interior Function
Why Buy the Honda Civic Type R?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is exciting to look at and just as exciting to drive when its 315-horsepower turbo four is whipped for more, more, more. In between those runs of fury, the Type R settles into its Civic roots as a polite and squeaky-clean compact hatchback.

This segment of high-performance compacts is a storied gathering that includes the Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX, Toyota GR Corolla, VW Golf R, and the Civic Type R.

The Elantra N and the Civic Type R are front-wheel drive, while the other competing models have all-wheel drive. Some are available with an automatic transmission, but the Type R has a six-speed manual only.

Honda’s skill at race-spec engineering transforms one of the top-selling compacts in the U.S. into a purpose-engineered track athlete. And Honda has been at it for 26 years. The Civic Type R has evolved through five different variants globally since it debuted as a 1997 model in Japan and Europe. North America got its first Civic Type R as the fifth-gen model from 2017 to 2021.

Red sport seats and floor mats

Type R interior features include a serial-number plate, high-bolstered front sport seats in red-and-black microsuede fabric, and red floor mats.

The Type R’s Engineered Durability

Built on Honda’s new 11th-generation Civic Hatchback, the sixth-gen 2023 Type R is basically an all-new model from its predecessor. The new hatchback, Honda says, uses 3.8 times more structural adhesive than the previous generation model. Gluing the spot welds doubles the strength and stiffness of the joint. All the better from which to hang the suspension to set performance standards, from the tires to the steering.

To fit the wide Michelin Pilot Sport tires, the new Type R has a 1-inch wider front track and 0.75-inch wider rear track (64/63.5 inches front/rear). There also are significant reinforcements for durability under pressure. For one, the Type R’s transmission has a more rigid exterior case, a high-strength bearing system, and high-strength gears.

Pop the hood, and you’ll find a minimalist red Honda dress-up shroud and a carbon fiber plate over the air induction unit. Look closely for the downspout-sized air intake duct. It takes a lot of fresh air to supply combustion for 315 horsepower.

Honda pushed for speed and control in developing the new 2023 Civic Type R. It set a new production-car, front-wheel drive track record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan . Home to the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, the new Civic Type R lapped the Suzuka’s 3.6-mile figure-8 in 2 minutes 23.120 seconds. That blistering attack secured its legacy as the best-performing Civic Type R — ever.

According to ZeroTo60Times.com, the 2023 Type R will launch to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The fifth generation Type R is a click quicker at 5 seconds.

2023 Honda Civic Type R Pricing

The Honda Civic Type R is a one-spec choice for engine, manual transmission, and equipment. The 2023 model went on sale in the U.S. about a year ago (Oct. 7, 2022), and already there has been a $900 price bump; the Championship white paint option went up $60, from $395 to $455.

The Type R has a six-speed manual transmission.

A six-speed stick only for the Type R.

Manufacturer pricing for the Civic Type R starts at $44,890, including the $1,095 freight charge from Yorii-Machi, Zaitama, Japan. (However, the Type R engine is built in Honda’s Anna Engine Plant in Sidney, Ohio, and shipped to Japan.) Check here for current Honda and Type R pricing.

My tester was $45,345 with one option for Championship White paint, $455.

Unique Type R interior features include a serial-number plate, high-bolstered front sport seats in red-and-black microsuede fabric with double red stitching, red floor mats, red ambient LED interior lighting, metal-trimmed sport pedals, aluminum shift knob, red illuminated front door panels.

On the outside, look for the Brembo four-piston aluminum front brake calipers, 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, gloss black side sills and wing spoiler, center-mounted, and the car’s signature triple outlet exhaust.

More Type R features are listed below in the specifications chart.

But Try To Find One …

Finding a new Civic Type R takes resolve, and fans at a car show told me that some dealers are asking $20,000 over sticker. A recent online search for a Civic Type R returned just four cars within 100 miles of my address in San Diego and just one Type R at a San Diego dealership (Pacific Honda). The other four Honda dealers in San Diego County included with their post, “We can still help you find it.”

Almost-new 2023 Type Rs, with very low miles, are being sold at dealerships for $50,000 to $56,000, according to Carfax.com. Because there are few factory options, just several accessories, these new-used Type R listings appear to include a dealer add-on “market value.”

The Type R engine has a red "Honda"

315 turbocharged horsepower from the K20C 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Type R Performance

Honda’s legion of Type R enthusiasts can be fanatical about their brand loyalty. Speak with any of these followers and they can recite stats for the Type R’s K20C engine. The VTEC turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder has 315 hp at 6,500 rpm, and a redline of 7,000 rpm. Peak torque of 310 foot-pounds runs from 2,600 to 4,000 rpm.

A new turbocharger has an increased air intake flow rate, and boost pressure is up to 25 psi.

There are four drive modes: Comfort, Sport, +R, and Individual. I used Comfort mode for daily driving, and it gave excellent performance without a jarring ride. Sport mode is exponentially stiffer and becomes quite monotonous at interstate speeds. Individual mode, however, allows specific dial-ins for engine response, steering assist, suspension damping, engine sound, rev-match speed, and the red design of the gauge cluster.

The six-speed stick separates the pretenders from the proficient. Each gear slots with absolute engagement, which is the charm of a six-speed box vs. a crowded seven-speed. There’s little chance of accidental jamming when making fast shifts. And hill-start assist gives added relief as it brakes the car for a couple of seconds when starting on an incline.

Another electronic aid is rev-matching downshifts, which, fortunately, is a driver-selectable choice. To those who can heel-toe shift, this electronic enabler is more of an intrusion. It seems sissy when there are so many how-to heel-toe YouTube videos.

The 9-inch driver gauge screen in red Sport mode.

The 9-inch driver gauge screen in Sport mode.

Fuel Economy Ratings

Official EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2023 Type R are 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 mpg combined. Using premium fuel provides the most power, but engine electronics will adjust to run on 87 octane.

I saw a highway mileage reading of 26.8 mpg, beating the EPA estimates. But I’m sure my around-town mileage was sacrificed by too much revving fun.

And keep an eye on the fuel gauge. It does not take long to use up the 12.4-gallon capacity. But a fill-up doesn’t hurt much when gas costs nearly $6 a gallon.

Safety Features

Type R safety features include 10 air bags and a complete set of driving-assist technologies (listed below in the specs box). The Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assist felt a little skitzy — insistent — at the steering wheel. Lane-centering, however, was accurate and reassuring in heavy traffic.

One of my most appreciated technologies is the Traffic Sign Recognition system. It is essential to know the speed limits in this speed-capable Type R.

Honda’s LogR Datalogger

Any sports car with tires this wide, a wing this big, and race seats demands a Performance Datalogger. And Honda complied with an enhanced version of its LogR Performance Datalogger. The datalogger helps drivers monitor and record various performance parameters, whether in real-time on the road, track, or other closed courses. Users can also share their lap times and other data with other Type R owners.

Key Honda LogR features include:

  • Stopwatch to record lap times;
  • Tire friction circle. The 3D motion indicator displays the tire force the vehicle achieves;
  • Scoring function, to help drivers improve their track driving.
19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires have a “contact patch” that is 10.7 inches wide.

19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires have a “contact patch” that is 10.7 inches wide. (Mark Maynard photo)

Power-To-Weight Ratio

The Type R is among the lightest of the current pocket rockets, weighing just 3,188 pounds, two pounds more than the front-drive Elantra N (also front-drive). Lightweighting measures include a vented aluminum hood (same as before) and a new lightweight resin hatch and a resin front bulkhead.

But saving weight also means paring back the budget for soundproofing, and the Type R’s interior noise level is at “Maelstrom” at highway speeds. At 65 mph, the engine revs at 2,500 rpm in sixth gear, and the wind and road harshness only increase with speed.

Type R Ride and Handling

Laying down 310 foot-pounds of torque to the front wheels can be a fury of dreaded “torque steer.” Hard acceleration in an FWD setup can make the tires pull from side to side as they seek traction. That is one reason some of these hot hatches are all-wheel drive, which helps displace torque steer by routing the force to all tires.

Honda has neatly solved the torque steer matter with a couple of engineering enhancements. One is what Honda calls a “dual axis suspension system with adaptive dampers.” The setup “greatly reduces torque steer, primarily through a 0.75-inch reduction in steering axis offset.”

The second piece of magic is the helical-type limited-slip differential, which minimizes wheel spin and puts more power to the pavement. The LSD enables harder acceleration on surfaces with uneven traction and reduces wheel spin when exiting corners.

By the way, Honda says a helical-type LSD describes how the differential’s gear teeth are cut at an angle to the gear shaft. Helical gears are quieter and can channel more torque than straight-cut (or spur) gears.

Roll On the Power

The revs have a sweet rise and fall as gears are neatly engaged. With the engine’s wide-spread of peak torque, shifts do not have to be rushed. Hustling along at 4,000 rpm through a second-gear turn is inspiring. Exit the apex and slot the shifter for third, and roll on the power — then smile at the reassuring pushback in the seat. That’s when these sport seats are in their element.

And that is also when the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires (265/30) are in their playground. These 10.7-inch-wide rollers bring an attack attitude to performance driving.

The tires have an asymmetric tread pattern and a treadwear rating (UTQG, or Uniform Tire Quality Grade) of 300. Honda advises that these three-season “summer” tires have a life that “may be less than 10,000 miles, depending on how you drive.”

Replacing a tire will run close to $400 — and do not cheap out when it’s time for replacements, or risk a compromise to handling performance.

The Type R’s signature triple round exhaust outlets are centered by the larger boom tube. In Sport mode, the exhaust note is one of determined grit under brisk acceleration, but the tone falls off quickly for quiet cruising.

Honda should have released the booming beast at all levels to remind owners why they paid $50,000 or $60,000 for a compact hatchback. Pull out a couple of baffles and let loose the snap, crackle, and pop.

A Couple of Considerations

With the hatchback’s 1.7-inch longer wheelbase(107.7 inches) and the wide Michelins, the Type R turning circle is an unwieldy 40 feet (39.9 inches). The low ride height is also a chin scraper, requiring some caution at dips in the street and some driveways.

The 9-inch color infotainment touchscreen adds a volume knob, customizable feature settings, and smart shortcuts

The 9-inch color infotainment touchscreen adds a volume knob, customizable feature settings, and smart shortcuts

Interior Function

This generation of Civic Hatchback is a solid base for performance. It has thinner windshield pillars, a lower hood, and the side mirrors mounted on the doors — not the pillar — creating a wide look-around.

Sightlines are open across the hood and out the back, even with that big wing on the decklid. The designers cleverly shaped the wing with an arc that matches the surround of the back glass.

The cabin ergonomics are Honda simple and direct. There’s nothing wrong with the leather-wrapped three-point steering wheel that a flat bottom wouldn’t improve for thigh space. Honda offers an Alcantara-wrapped upgrade with red baseball stitching for $408, but it does not have a flat bottom.

The big, winged race seats, ready for a three-point harness, are a one-size-fits-most.

A short throw shifter with a red shift knob is a $230 accessory, and it might be a worthwhile addition. The aluminum shift knob gets hot when the car has been sitting in the sun; the smooth finish of the knob can mean a missed shift if it slips in the hand. The accessory shifter has a metallic disc top with the lower portion wrapped in red leather.

The open cargo hatch of the Type R

The hatchback Type R has a 60/40 folding back seat and 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space.

Why Buy the Honda Civic Type R?

The Civic Type R is a street-able track car that looks like trouble. It is actually quite harmless but best enjoyed at high volume in competitive driving. The suspension gives stunning control, but as a Monday-Friday commuter, Comfort mode will be the way to go; Sport is just too rough.

As one enthusiast said of the Type R: “Hey, it has four doors; the spouse would approve.”

You can’t miss the Type R’s big wing, decklid spoiler, and triple exhaust tips.

You can’t miss the Type R’s big wing, decklid spoiler, and triple exhaust tips.

2023 Honda Civic Type R Specifications

Body style: Compact 4-seat, 5-door front-wheel-drive high-performance hatchback

Engine: K20C 315 hp, VTEC turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 310 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,600 to 4,000 rpm; 7,000 rpm redline

Boost pressure: 25psi

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission with automatic rev-matching, and hill-start assist

Fuel economy: 22/28/24 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel recommended for max performance

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 12.4 gallons

Cargo space: 24.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 39.3/42.3 inches

Rear head/leg room: 37.1/37.4 inches

Length/wheelbase: 180.9/107.7 inches

Height/width: 55.4/74.4 inches

Curb weight: 3,188 pounds; 62/38 weight distribution

Turning circle: 39.9 feet

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: Smartkey entry with push-button start, multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, 10.2-inch driver info screen, 12-speaker Bose sound System with subwoofer, 9-inch color touchscreen (with volume knob, customizable feature settings, and smart shortcuts), electric parking brake, Bluetooth phone and audio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 2.5-amp USB smartphone-audio port (front), 2.5-amp USB charging port, 12-volt power outlet (front), wireless charging pad, sliding sun visors, LED map lights, cargo area cover,

Type R features, interior: Type R serial-number plate, high-Bolstered front sport seats with red-black microsuede fabric with double red stitching, red floor mats, red ambient LED interior lighting, leather-wrapped steering wheel, metal-trimmed sport pedals, aluminum shift knob, red illuminated front door panels, active sound control

Type R features, exterior: Brembo 4-piston aluminum front brake calipers, 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, aluminum hood, red Honda badges, Type R badges front and rear, gloss black side sills, gloss black wing spoiler, center-mounted, triple outlet exhaust with active exhaust valve, gloss black side mirrors with LED turn signals

Safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, brake distribution, brake assist, and hill-start assist.

Driving-Assistance Technologies

Collision Mitigation Braking; Road Departure Mitigation; Adaptive Cruise Control; Lane Keeping Assist; Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Traffic Sign Recognition System; Auto High-Beam Headlights; Driver Attention Monitor; Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor;

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Suspension: Adaptive damper system; dual-axis MacPherson front struts, rear multi-link; stabilizer bars front (tubular) and rear (solid);

Steering: Dual-pinion, variable-ratio electric power steering; 2.1 turns lock to lock;

Brakes: Power-assisted and ventilated 2-piece front discs, solid rear; 13.8-inch rotors front, 12 inches rear; Brembo 4-piston aluminum front calipers;

Tires-Wheels: 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (265/30); 19-inch matte black alloy wheels; tire-repair kit.

PRICING

Base price: $44,890, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $45,345

Options on test vehicle: Championship White paint $455

Where assembled: Yorii-Machii, Saitama, Japan

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 24-hour roadside assistance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Review

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Review

The completely redesigned 2023 Honda Accord has the appealing dimensions of the once-classic American family sedan. But not everybody will like how low it rides

A nighttime front three quarter view of the new Accord.

The 2023 Honda Accord is longer and sleeker with a broad stance with tires and wheels pushed to the edge of the body line for aerodynamics. (Photos courtesy of  American Honda or as credited)

Table of Contents

Hybrid Sedan Competition
Accord’s 47-Year History
2023 Honda Accord Pricing
Two-Motor Hybrid Powertrain
Safety Features and Technologies
Interior Function
Ride and Handling
Why Buy the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

If you drive a lot and are not reimbursed for fuel, the redesigned 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid can bring some payback. The most efficient Accord Hybrid EX-L model has fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 44 highway, and 48 mpg combined. And today’s tester, the Accord Hybrid Touring, has mileage ratings of 46/41/44 mpg.

For the mileage conscious, that 3 to 5 mpg variance is the difference between 17-inch wheels on the EX-L and 19-inch wheels on the Hybrid Touring. And the Touring trim (3,532 pounds) is slightly heavier by just 64 pounds.

But the more fashionable Hybrid Touring tester still provides excellent fuel economy. I worked up to 48.7 mpg on extended highway driving, and it might have gone higher on a longer drive. Around town, I saw mileage of 44.9 mpg.

How can a commuter not like sitting on a range of more than 560 miles with a full tank? Well, for one, all 2023 Accord models have a recommendation for premium fuel to get higher fuel economy, but it is not a requirement.

Whether a parent in a carpool or a ride-share driver, there is much to like about the redesigned 11th-generation Honda Accord. But the low-riding Accord, like most midsized sedans, is why many American motorists have migrated to an SUV, like the Honda CR-V.

A view of the modern and clean front seat interior design.

Modern and clean interior design of the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid.

The Hybrid Sedan Competition

There are just three mainstream midsize hybrid sedans on sale in the U.S. today, including the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry, the only choice offering all-wheel drive.

The Camry Hybrid LE ($29,750) nails the mileage points at 51/53/51 mpg with a total range of 686 miles. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue ($29,365) is second with 50/54/51 mpg.

Even the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid has mileage ratings of 48/47/47 mpg.

Accord’s 47-Year History

The Honda Accord was introduced to American car buyers in 1976. It debuted amid an ongoing oil embargo led by Saudi Arabia. At the time, people followed Honda car haulers to dealerships to get one of the most fuel-efficient cars.

And it was the Honda Accord’s early sales success that helped it establish the midsize sedan segment. Since then, the Accord has become a best-selling sedan over the last five decades, Honda says.

Honda hopes its completely redesigned 2023 Accord will re-energize the midsize sedan segment. And the Accord is off to a strong sales start. In May, Accord sales rose to 20,007 cars, 55 percent of which were the Accord Hybrid, or 11,100 units. Honda says the hybrid model has passed 10,000 units for the second straight month. Total 2023 Accord sales are up more than 80 percent compared to May 2022.

The new dash-top 12.3-inch-wide infotainment screen for upper-trim Accords.

A new 12.3-inch-wide infotainment screen for upper-trim Accords.

The 2023 Accord Redesign

The 2023 Honda Accord is longer and sleeker with a slightly broader stance, with tires and wheels pushed to the edge of the body line for aerodynamics.

New styling for the midsize sedan is familiar but with a decidedly upscale appearance, almost Audi-like with some Kia Stinger. Overall length has grown by 2.7 inches, with a 0.4-inch wider rear track for improved stability, particularly when making evasive maneuvers. Wide, horizontal LED straight-line “flush” taillights accentuate Accord’s wide stance.

The midsize four-door approaches the dimensions of the once-classic American family sedan. Without the moonroof, there is tall headroom of 39.5 inches, or 37.5 inches, with the power moonroof. Legroom of 42.3 inches is about as long as is possible in a car. Back seat legroom is also long at 40.8 inches. And the trunk is family-vacation large at 16.7 cubic feet, expandable by the 60/40 folding back seat.

Notable for the Accord Hybrid is that neither back seat nor trunk space is diminished by the battery pack. Mounted under the rear seat, the Intelligent Power Unit — containing the battery pack and its controlling hardware — is 9 percent smaller, Honda says. The smaller and lighter IPU allowed the cooling fan to be integrated into the unit rather than externally mounted.

2023 Honda Accord Pricing

The 2023 Honda Accord is available in six front-wheel drive trim levels, two of which are gasoline powered.

LX and EX gas models have a 192-hp turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It has fuel-economy ratings of 29/27/32 mpg city/highway/combined.

Pricing starts at $28,390 for the LX and $30,155 for the EX. All manufacturer retail pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Marysville, Ohio.

The four gasoline-electric hybrid trim levels — Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, Touring — have starting prices that range from $32,440 to $38,435 for the top-line Accord Hybrid Touring.

Standard Accord Hybrid Touring features include:

  • Walk Away Auto Lock, a driver-configured convenience through the infotainment system;
  • Smart-key locking and push-button ignition;
  • One-touch power moonroof;
  • Leather-trimmed upholstery;
  • 10-way power driver’s seat;
  • 4-way manual front passenger seat;
  • Heated and ventilated front seats;
  • Heated rear (window) seats;
  • 60/40 folding back seat;
  • 12-speaker Bose audio system;
  • Head-up display;
  • Wireless phone charger;
  • 19-inch alloy wheels with black inserts and grand-touring tires.

Check here for current Honda Accord pricing and offers.

A nighttime view through the open power moonroof

A power moonroof is standard on all trim levels except the base LX.

Accord Hybrid Warranty Coverage

Honda’s new-vehicle warranty covers just 3 years or 36,000 miles with 2 years of free maintenance, but there is significant coverage for the hybrid elements.

For states that have adopted California emissions standards, hybrid components have a warranty of 15 years and 150,000 miles. The hybrid battery has coverage for 10 years and 150,000 miles.

Included in the warranty coverage are the following:

  • Hybrid Battery module and internal components
  • Drive and Motor Generator stators and rotors;
  • Drive motor control module, including software;
  • Battery control module, including internal components and software updates;
  • High-voltage and bypass contactors, resistor, and fuse;
  • High-voltage power cables;
  • Battery current sensor.

Two-Motor Hybrid Powertrain

Since 2014, Honda has used a two-motor gasoline-electric hybrid system. One motor is for driving, and the other is for generating power for the hybrid battery.

The two electric motors are now side-by-side rather than in-line. The new positioning has multiple benefits, Honda says. Among them is a larger, more powerful propulsion motor. Total combined horsepower is 204 with 247 foot-pounds of peak torque from 0 to 2,000 rpm, an additional 15 lb.-ft. more than before. And more torque gives a stronger launch from a stop.

For pedestrian awareness, the hybrid system emits an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System when idling and at low speed on battery power. The tone sounds like a machined angel chorus, but it is effective.

Atkinson Cycle Engine

The 2023 Honda Accord hybrid system runs through an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder, revised with direct- and multistage injection. The two-part system improves cleaner combustion for reduced carbon buildup over time.

This engine idles silently with no vibration.

A view of the Accord Hybrid engine

With Honda’s gasoline-electric hybrid system, I achieved highway fuel economy of 48.7 mpg. However, Honda recommends premium fuel for peak mileage. (Mark Maynard photo)

CVT Drive Modes

I don’t like most continuously variable automatic transmissions because of their rev-and-wail performance as the belt catches up with engine power. However, Honda’s e-CVT has Step Shift programming that simulates gear changes and gives downshifts during braking. Acceleration has absolute launch force without lag or obnoxious engine sounds.

A new “B” transmission setting amplifies regenerative and engine braking to put power back into the battery for more electric driving. B mode also allows “one pedal” driving (common among battery-electric vehicles) for deceleration. Paddles at the steering wheel can increase the level of slowdown.

There are four drive modes of CVT performance, but I spent most of my week in Normal.

Normal: Balances fuel efficiency and driving performance;

ECON: Fuel efficiency is prioritized by reducing accelerator responsiveness, and air conditioning is set to a more efficient cycle. (I found the ECON performance maddingly resistant to acceleration and not worth its incremental benefit.)

Sport: This Hybrid-only mode sharpens throttle response, and the Active Sound Control opens the muffler for a sporty tone, though I did not notice a tone difference. Sport mode is my quickness tool in heavy traffic to guard against other drivers trying to sneak in.

Individual: A Hybrid-only mode to make individual settings, such as engine responsiveness, gauges, and steering assist.

Qi-compatible 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pad.

Qi-compatible 15-watt wireless smartphone charging is standard on Touring.

Safety Features and Technologies

The 2023 Honda Accord has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest rating of Top Safety Pick+. The new Accord earned the institute’s highest possible ratings in six of seven categories. Among the categories is Accord’s standard front crash prevention system. It got a “Superior” rating from IIHS in the daytime and an “Advanced” rating in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian avoidance tests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to rate the 2023 Accord. Check here for updates.

In addition to 10 air bags and a rear cross-traffic monitor, the 2023 Accord has the Honda Sensing system of advanced driver assistance system.

Its new features include a front sensor camera and radar, Traffic Jam Assist (in stop-and-go cruise control), and Traffic Sign Recognition. With TSR, the front camera reads traffic signs and displays them through the instrument cluster, infotainment screen, or head-up display. It is a ticket-saver when speed signs are so far and few between.

Other driver-assist features include:

  • Low-Speed Braking Control;
  • Updated Adaptive Cruise Control;
  • Lane Keeping Assist;
  • And a new blind spot information system.

Driver-Assistance Tech

The elements in Honda Sensing combine to provide Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The system will steer, accelerate, and stop when activated with advanced cruise control. In my experience, Honda’s system gave precise control in highway cornering and never let the Accord drift wide across the lines or Botts dots. Not all such systems are as accurate.

Traffic Jam Assist will be of value for commuters in high-stress traffic. When activated, the system will keep pace with traffic, slow and accelerate as needed, or stop, then start again.

Honda Accord Interior Function

Honda has long focused on creating interiors with find-it-in-the-dark simplicity. The new Accord is another champion of clean design and ergonomics — mostly. The materials are of a refined and pleasing appearance, and, of course, with meticulous panel alignment.

Vacation trips will be more comfortable with the new Body Stabilizing Seats. The design treatment helps reduce fatigue and improve posture, Honda says. Among the seat innovations is a resin mat that supports the area from the pelvis to the lumbar spine for a more stable seating feel. The seat bottom has a new curve to reduce forward and lateral pelvic tilt. And the seat also centers the upper body over the pelvis, Honda says, helping stabilize the upper arms and the driver’s eyesight.

However, the seating position is low in the hole and has an almost drop-in for the driver. And, worse for the passenger because even this top Hybrid Touring model only provides four-way power adjustment and no height lift. The girlfriend-wife was not happy going for a ride.

I suppose for a Sport model, it is essential to include an actual gearshift lever, but it is unnecessary in the hybrid model. The narrow shifter of spindly proportions gets in the way of easy access to the wireless charging pad and cup holders. Honda could have instead used its low and flat strip of electronic gear switches, such as in the Honda Pilot SUV.

I like the Accord’s spray-arm wipers because they don’t scrape dry glass. But the driver-side wiper leaves a 3-inch margin of unswiped glass on driver’s left. The sightline blockage is wider with uncleared droplets and streaks next to the windshield pillar.

The open trunk with a big bag of potting soil and a tray of veggies

The trunk’s 16.7 cubic feet of space is expandable by folding the 60/40 split back seat. (Mark Maynard photo)

Infotainment Finesse

Accord hybrid models have Honda’s largest touchscreen to date. The dashboard-top 12.3-inch color display screen has an actual physical volume knob. A 1-inch finger rest at the bottom of the touchscreen makes it steadier to use.

The system also has fewer embedded menus. And for at-a-glance efficiency, the system has three programmable shortcuts on the left side of the screen.

LX and EX models have a 7-inch color touchscreen audio system. And both infotainment systems have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and Alexa Built-In.

All trim levels have two illuminated 3.0-amp USB-C ports. The EX-L and Touring add two illuminated 3.0-amp USB-C charging ports in the back seat console. Qi-compatible 15-watt wireless smartphone charging is standard on Touring.

Google Built-In

The top-line Hybrid Touring features Honda’s first integration of Google built-in. A 3-year unlimited data plan is included to use Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play.

Honda says Google Cloud’s Speech-to-Text service has incredibly accurate automatic speech recognition. The voice control works for such functions as climate control. Users can say “Hey, Google” or press the voice control button on the steering wheel to get started. Voice assistant also lets users set their destination in Google Maps without taking their eyes off the road. The route map can be displayed in the instrument cluster.

Google Assistant includes the voice operation of media apps and vehicle functions such as the air-conditioning system. It also is used for texting and making calls. Google Play is to download third-party apps for music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Accord Hybrid Ride and Handling

Honda does excellent steel-spring suspensions, and the 2023 Accord has sport-sedan attitude and flat handling. But the Accord’s ride quality is inelegant and somewhat coarse. I could feel every expansion seam in the road, though some of that texture could be from the tires. The tester’s Michelin Primacy MXM4 Green X grand-touring tires (235/40) have a 500 treadwear rating, which is hard enough for a warranty of 55,000 miles.

Honda also uses its wheel resonators for noise-reducing wheels. The resonator is a narrow strap-like device that wraps around the inner wheel hub. The idea is to cancel noise from resonance generated by the rotating wheel and tire.

Honda says, “noise-reducing wheels are an ingenious technology that reduces noise and contributes to better fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.”

The 19-inch wheels with Michelin grand touring tires

The Accord Touring Hybrid has 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Primacy MXM4 Green X grand-touring tires, 235/40. (Mark Maynard photo)

Why Buy the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid?

With the potential for nearly 50 mpg, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid does more for fuel economy and vehicle emissions than fleets of electric or plug-in electric vehicles.

But the new Accord is aerodynamically low to the ground. That strains the knees and backs of the more mature drivers who can afford an almost $40,000 new car. And in heavy traffic, the driver’s sightline is aimed at the taillights of the vehicle ahead.

That view will turn buyers’ eyes to the very carlike Honda CR-V compact SUV crossover. Here’s my review of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid.

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Specifications

Body style: midsize, 5-seat, front-drive sedan

Engine: 146-hp, direct-injected 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder; 134 lb.-ft. torque at 4,500 rpm

2-motor hybrid assist system: 181-hp, AC synchronous permanent magnet; torque 247 lb.-ft. torque from 0-2,000 rpm; 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack

Total system power: 204 hp

Transmission: CVT

Fuel economy: 46/41/44 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended

0-60 mph acceleration: 6.6-seconds *per Car and Driver

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 12.8 gallons

Trunk space: 16.7 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 37.5/42.3 inches

Rear head/leg room: 37.3/40.8 inches

Front shoulder/hip room: 57.9/55.4 inches

Rear shoulder/hip room: 56.5/55.4 inches

Length/wheelbase: 195.7/111.4 inches

Width/height: 73.3/57.1 inches

Track, front/rear: 63.6/62.6 inches

Curb weight: 3,532 pounds

Turning circle: 38.4 feet

FEATURES

Standard Hybrid Touring equipment includes: Walk Away Auto Lock, Smart-key locking and push-button ignition, one-touch power moonroof, leather-trimmed upholstery, 10-way power driver’s seat, 4-way manual front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear (window) seats, 60/40 folding back seat, 12-speaker Bose audio system, head-up display, wireless phone charger, 19-inch alloy wheels with black inserts and Michelin grand-touring tires;

Safety features include: 10 air bags, rear cross-traffic monitor, stability and traction controls, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors;

Safety technologies: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System;

Driver-Assist technologies: Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, Low-Speed Braking Control, Parking Sensors front and rear.

PRICING

Accord Hybrid Touring base price: $38,435, including $1,095 freight charge;

Options on test vehicle: None

Where assembled: Marysville Auto Plant, Ohio

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper, includes 2-year free maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain

2023 Honda HR-V Review

2023 Honda HR-V Review

Bigger is better for the redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V — unless you wanted more fuel economy

A blue 2023 Honda HR-V at a Mission Bay Park boat launch

The redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V is sold in three trim-level choices with front or all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at about $26,000, and add $1,500 for all-wheel drive. (Photography by Mark Maynard)

Table of Contents

Pricing
Safety Features
Interior Function
Ride and Handling
Performance
Fuel Economy
Back Seats and Cargo Space
Observations and Considerations
Why Buy the 2023 Honda HR-V?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Just about everything in America is better when it’s bigger, and that certainly includes the redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V. Now in its second generation, Honda’s smallest SUV is longer and wider with a sleeker roofline and longer hood. The restyling is upscale and is welcome from the previous model’s contrived swoops and chopped rear. The first HR-V was sold in the U.S. in 2015 for the 2016 model year.

I see the new HR-V everywhere around San Diego, while sightings here of the previous model are scarce. Good on Honda for that, proving that bigger is indeed better for the HR-V. A bigger four-cylinder engine, a roomier interior, and value pricing are also strong incentives.

A view of the driver area throgh the open door.

Honda’s Body Stabilizing Seats give more shoulder support.

Dimensions Now and Then

The new HR-V is 9.4 inches longer, 2.6 inches wider, and just a couple tenths of an inch taller at 63.4 inches. HR-V’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer at 104.5 inches. Small and tall SUVs are notoriously choppy on the highway, but the relaxed length of the wheelbase settles the ride at highway speeds.

Curb weights are up by 245 pounds for front-wheel drive and 191 pounds with all-wheel drive, now at 3,219/3,333 pounds.

The driver area of the HR-V looking through the windshield

Honda’s interior design is about “’implicity and something.’

Honda HR-V Stats

Honda says its HR-V is America’s No. 1 small SUV with first-time and Gen Z buyers. And those buyers are likely new to the brand.

HR-V is the No. 2 retail (not fleet) model in the competitive and crowded segment of subcompact SUV crossover.

A spokesman said that Honda’s SUVs continue as top retail players so far in 2023. The compact-class CR-V is No. 2 in the industry’s largest segment. HR-V is No. 2 in subcompact SUV crossover, and the midsize Pilot is in a tight race for retail No. 3 in its segment.

Honda HR-V competitors include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Kicks, and VW Taos.

The shift console with under-console storage

Note the under-console shelf.

HR-V’s New Styling

The 2023 Honda HR-V is no longer just a device for fuel economy. The redesigned exterior has smooth and cohesive lines for a sturdy stance and appealing presence. I especially like that Honda did not try to bulk up the body to look like a rugged SUV. It still has the feel of a tough little ute and has just slim fender wheel-well guards to help protect from grit-blasting and winter debris.

Honda says the interior design is about “simplicity and something.” The something is more premium-appearing plastics and other materials that reinforce pride of ownership.

HR-V makes the most of small-item storage.

HR-V makes the most of small-item storage.

2023 Honda HR-V Pricing

The 2023 Honda HR-V is sold in three trim levels of LX, Sport, and EX-L. All have the same front-wheel-drive powertrain: a 158-horsepower, 16-valve DOHC VTEC 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Starting prices range from $25,395 to $28,945; add $1,500 for all-wheel drive. All MSRPs include the $1,295 freight charge from Guanajuato, Mexico.

The HR-V EX-L tester with AWD starts at $30,445. One option for Nordic Forest Pearl paint ($455) brought the sticker to a very reasonable $30,900 — not including possible “market pricing” extortion from the dealership.

Due to continued supply-chain issues, blind spot information with cross-traffic monitor — usually a standard feature on the Sport and EX — is currently offered as a $550 option, a spokesman explained.

“If a customer chooses to purchase the vehicle without the feature,” he said, “they will get a $550 discount off the MSRP.

I urge buyers to get the BSI feature. It is valuable driver support in a crowded commute.

Appreciable features on the EX-L include leather-trimmed upholstery, a one-touch power sunroof, smart-key entry and push-button ignition, heated front seats, an eight-speaker audio system, electric parking brake, and floor mats.

There will be no forgetting to lock the HR-V with Honda’s walk-away auto lock system.

The HR-V four cylinder engine

All HR-V models have a 158-horsepower, 16-valve DOHC VTEC 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

HR-V Safety Features and Technologies

The Honda HR-V has a comprehensive list of safety features and technologies for a small and relatively inexpensive new vehicle.

The 2023 HR-V is packed with 10 air bags, including front knee bags and rear seat side-impact bags.

Advanced driver-assist technologies allow Level 2 hands-on-the-wheel semi-autonomous driving. When activated, the system will steer, accelerate, and stop the HR-V using the cruise control system.

In my experience, Honda’s system gives precise highway cornering control and does not allow the HR-V to drift wide across the lane lines or Botts dots. Not all such systems are as accurate.

Traffic Jam Assist will be of value for commuters in high-stress traffic. When activated, the system will keep the HR-V in pace with traffic, slowing and accelerating as needed. It also will stop the vehicle and then resume acceleration.

New advanced features include a front sensor camera and Traffic Sign Recognition. TSR is a ticket-saver when speed signs are so far and few between. The system’s front camera reads traffic signs and displays them through the instrument cluster, infotainment screen, or head-up display.

Other driver-assist features include:

  • Low-Speed Braking Control;
  • Lane Keeping Assist;
  • And a new blind spot information system.
The back seats in HR-V

Legroom is long at 37.7 inches, if those in the front seats are not in the big-and-tall club.

HR-V EX-L Interior Function

The driver’s position reflects Honda’s obsession with making things simple and intuitive. There are buttons and knobs for nearly all cabin-control functions, an asset when making adjustments while driving. The dash top 9-inch color touchscreen and rearview camera display are not prone to sunlight washout or glare. Its functions are easy to figure out, such as connecting a phone, audio settings, and fuel mileage efficiency.

Honda’s body-stabilizing front seats emphasize shoulder support, and they have adult thigh support. The driver seat has eight-way power adjustment in the EX-L trim. But after an hour behind the wheel, I wished for lumbar support, but there is no provision for that on any trim level. And worse, the front passenger seat is just four-way adjustable.

Front headroom is tall at 38.4 inches or 39.4 inches without the sunroof. Sightlines are open across the hood and at the side mirrors, now mounted on the door away from the windshield pillars for a bit more visibility. The back glass is broad and deep for open at-a-glance views.

An under-storage pass-through shelf at the shift console is a unique and nifty design element. With lighted USB charging ports USBs on either side, a passenger has a place to connect and lay a phone or a notepad.

The shelf is a smart innovation to add small item storage in a small vehicle. Yet Honda includes a slim gearshift lever. It takes up valuable space and causes a reach-around to the cup holders and e-bin for the wireless charging pad. It makes more packaging sense to have Honda’s flat strip of shift tabs in the Honda CR-V and Accord sedan.

HR-V AWD Ride and Handling

Cabin quiet is improved, but more could be done. The 2023 HR-V has sound-absorbing inner fenders, sound-absorption carpet, and an acoustic windshield. On the highway, however, the cabin has noticeable noise, which might be attributed to the raised ride height and so much space around the tires. There is a 3 ½-inch margin of air around the top of the tires to the fender liner, where air can tumble.

The ride-height lift provides welcome forward visibility in this land of big SUVs. But it also introduces a ride-quality issue.

The HR-V suspension is a bounder and a jostler. Bounding is good as it softens the ride quality over lumpy city streets. But stiffer shock absorbers create a jostling effect as the suspension tries to balance the tester’s 3,333-pound curb weight and the taller ride height. And I could feel every seam in the road and expansion joint on the highway.

When trolling for a parking space, the HR-V is a tiny dancer with a turning circle of just 35.1 feet.

17-inch all-season Hankook Kinergy GT (215/60) tires on the EX-L tester.

17-inch all-season Hankook Kinergy GT (215/60) tires on the EX-L tester.

2023 HR-V AWD Performance

Horsepower gets a significant boost from the 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, replacing the previous 141-hp 1.8-liter. Acceleration is adequate, held back by a peak torque of 138 foot-pounds at a high 4,200 rpm. “Fuzzy logic” programming follows how the HR-V driver has been accelerating. If they have been driving briskly, the acceleration is quicker to comply. But when going at modest rates, the acceleration response is dialed back for fuel economy.

As before, the transmission is a one-speed, continuously variable automatic with ECON, Normal, and Snow modes. There also is an S mode for sharper acceleration, but the response was not impressive. The calibration also increases engine braking and gives more engine-braking feel off-throttle.

New step-shift programming of the CVT simulates gear changes and gives downshifts during braking. In concept, the shift function gives drivers a familiar audible cue for a better sense of acceleration. This system is very palpable in the 2023 Honda CR-V, but I sensed no step-shift action in the HR-V. Instead, it was a little loud and revvy on acceleration.

Real Time AWD

Honda’s Real Time all-wheel drive is efficient and lightweight. The drive system works in front-wheel drive until sensors detect wheel slip. Power is then sent to the rear axle and the electrically operated rear differential.

When starting on snow, the system sends power to the rear wheels right away for quicker grip. The system also sends more power rearward when climbing a hill.

Hill Start Assist holds brake pressure briefly after the brake pedal is released, giving the driver time to ease into acceleration.

Standard Hill Descent Control is a first for any Honda SUV to help the driver on steep or slippery downhills. A button on the center console allows drivers to set a speed between 2 and 12 mph using the brake or gas pedal. When the pedal is released, the HR-V will maintain the set speed, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering.

Cargo area with one side of the seatback folded

Fold the seatbacks for about 6 feet in length.

HR-V Fuel Economy Ratings

More horsepower comes at a price. The previous smaller and lighter HR-V had mileage ratings of 28 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 mpg combined.

For 2023, front-wheel-drive HR-V trims have fuel-economy estimates of 26 mpg city, 32 highway, and 29 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive mileage estimates are 25/30/27 mpg. Regular unleaded is recommended.

Around town, my driving averaged 24 to 27 mpg. With extended highway driving, I worked up to 32.7 mpg.

The 14-gallon tank (up from 13.2-gallons last year) would provide 392 miles of total range, according to FuelEconomy.gov.

A hybrid powertrain for HR-V could be the secret sauce for higher fuel economy. Honda won’t say if a hybrid powertrain is possible for HR-V, but it seems possible. The HR-V is based on the Honda global modular architecture and incorporates elements of the CR-V and Civic small sedan. The Honda CR-V does have a hybrid-engine choice, and the Honda Civic will have a hybrid option when it goes on sale next year.

the under cargo floor storage area with three chambers

Cargo space is flexible with useable underfloor storage.

HR-V Back Seat and Cargo Space

With back doors that open to almost 90 degrees, entry to the HR-V back seat is a composed exercise. Headroom is good at 38 inches, and legroom is long at 37.7 inches for a small car, if those in the front seats are not in the big-and-tall club.

There is no seatback recline. But with just a low hump to the exhaust-driveshaft tunnel, there is comfortable footroom for three-across seating, but the center position is narrow.

Cargo space is almost more functional than the back seat. The cargo entry is 42 inches wide and 30 ½ inches tall. Fold the back seat for 6 feet in length. There is useable underfloor storage in a three-chamber space.

A courtesy warning that the hood prop rod can get hot.

A courtesy warning that the hood prop rod can get hot.

Observations and Considerations

  • Windshield-wiper coverage on the driver’s left leaves at least a 3-inch margin top to bottom of unswiped glass. It is a distracting condition. And the swath of rain-obscured glass seems even wider next to the windshield pillar.
  • A good indicator of Honda’s attention to engineering detail is in the engine bay. Raise the hood and look over the nuts, bolts, and connectors. Each significant element is double-checked on the production line and signed off by a color marker.
  • Underhood bolts and nuts are double checked and color marked

    Bolts marked in colors to show final sign-off.

    Nothing is loose to touch another part that could cause wear.

  • An underhood courtesy decal at the prop rod cautions using the foam area on the rod. Thank you for such consideration, Honda.
  • Another eye-opener to Honda’s engineering standards is the four-wheel-disc brake sizes for all trim levels, front- or all-wheel drive. Honda gave the HR-V ventilated 12.3-inch front discs and solid 12.2-inch rear discs. The discs are large for a small SUV and the largest of the HR-V competitors.

Why Buy the 2023 Honda HR-V?

The new HR-V would not be my choice as a hypermiling commuter. But the HR-V is an ideal first car for a young driver or a graduate heading to college.

It is cute and will be inexpensive to maintain and replace tires over the life of the HR-V.

The tester’s sticker of just under $31,000 is high value and surely a barometer of why I see so many HR-V’s around San Diego.

A rear view of the HR-V at the boat launch

The 2023 HR-V is 9.4 inches longer, 2.6 inches wider, and just a couple tenths of an inch taller than the previous model.

2023 Honda HR-V EX-L Specifications

Body style: subcompact, 5-seat front-drive SUV crossover with optional AWD

Engine: 158-hp, 16-valve DOHC VTEC 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 138 lb.-ft. torque at 4,200 rpm

Transmission: CVT with modes of ECON, Normal, Snow

Fuel economy: 25/30/27 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane fuel

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 14 gallons

Cargo space: 24.4/55.1 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 38.4*/41.9 inches *39.4 w/o sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 38/37.7 inches

Length/wheelbase: 179.8/104.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,333 pounds

Turning circle: 35.1 feet

SAFETY FEATURES

Standard safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors;

Safety technologies: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System;

Driver-Assist technologies: Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, Low-Speed Braking Control, Parking Sensors front and rear.

BRAKING, STEERING, SUSPENSION

Brakes: Ventilated 12.3-inch front discs and solid 12.2-inch rear discs.

Steering: Dual Pinion Assist Electric Power Steering; 35.1-foot turning circle.

Suspension: MacPherson strut front suspension, multilink rear; front and rear stabilizer bars, tubular 27mm front, 13mm solid rear.

Tires-Wheels: 215/60 all-season tires 17-inch machine-finished alloys with gloss shark-gray inserts; compact spare.

PRICING

HR-V AWD EX-L base price: $30,445, including $1,295 freight charge; price as tested $30,900

Options on test vehicle: Nordic Forest Pearl paint $455

Where assembled: Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 24-hour roadside assistance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain; Honda Genuine Accessories installed at time of vehicle purchase are covered for 3-years/36,000-miles