Honda has another small wonder in its HR-V SUV

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- For the 2023 model year, Honda has rolled out a new-generation HR-V, a sporty-looking subcompact crossover sport-utility vehicle.

It's the kind of vehicle that Honda does very well.  And it shows.

My tester was the 2023 HR-V AWD EX-L, a five-door gem with a long roofline that makes it look more substantial than a mini-SUV.

Power comes from a capable 2-liter, four-cylinder, 158-horsepower engine that propels the Honda around quite nicely.  You have to put your foot in it on the sharpest of uphill climbs, but that is entirely expected in this segment.

Fuel mileage is pretty good at 25 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Honda touts how much it has put into this HR-V, and my tester backed that claim with a long list of standard features. Particularly impressive was the 9-inch color touchscreen linked with a multi-view camera.

Simply put, the tested HR-V was equipped and engineered along the lines of a midsize crossover SUV on which I might expect to drop $40,000.  The sticker on the tester read a mere $30,590.

So, right away, the purchaser of an HR-V is ahead of the game.

And who might purchase this HR-V?  Honda makes it very clear:

"The new Honda HR-V is just the right size for young, active buyers looking for a sporty driving experience, and plenty of space and utility for an adventurous weekend escape," said Michael Kistemaker, assistant vice president, Honda National Sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This new HR-V will welcome a new generation of customers to Honda, and we look to grow its position as the segment leader with young buyers, first-time buyers and multicultural customers."

That makes sense.  But speaking for the older folks -- of which I am one -- this HR-V shapes up as a pretty smart buy for their generation ... an affordable, liberally equipped people/cargo hauler that should run for 10 years or more without working up a sweat.

The HR-V also qualifies as a compromise vehicle for those who are still nervous about purchasing an electric car but don't want to drop 50-grand on a beefier sport-ute.