Empty Nesters Should Consider the Honda HR-V

2023 Honda HR-V EX-L

Last year, Honda launched the redesigned HR-V with a marketing campaign aimed directly at “GenZennial”, a mix of Generation Z and Millennial age groups. And it worked! In April, Honda announced that the HR-V was America’s most popular SUV with first-time and Gen-Z buyers. While it is always exciting to execute a successful marketing campaign, Honda of Sumner wishes to point out that the HR-V is also an excellent choice for empty nesters.

That 3-row SUV or minivan served your home well as it accommodated your family and all their things on family vacations and became a well-appreciated support vehicle for soccer or baseball games, scouting trips, or whatever activities your kids were into. But now the 2nd and 3rd rows may be as empty as your extra bedrooms. Sure, you still have people in the 2nd-row seats on occasion, but the extended road trips are now just for two, and on a day-to-day basis, it may feel like driving a 4-wheel cave. Perhaps it is time to trade in your big vehicle for the next growing family to enjoy, and treat yourself to the very modern and accommodating Honda HR-V.

2023 Honda HR-V EX-L

Downsizing Comfortably

The new second-generation HR-V is longer, wider, more comfortable, and more powerful than its predecessor. Since your occasional backseat passengers are likely adults now, the HR-V features more rear-seat legroom and one of the largest cargo areas in its class. While its cargo area can’t compete with a 3-row SUV or minivan, with the rear seats down, you still have 55.1 cubic feet for everything you need to convert one of the bedrooms into a proper guest room.

The HR-V won’t feel small either. The fully independent suspension features front MacPherson struts and a new multilink arrangement in the rear, engineered with low-friction components to improve ride quality. This is further enhanced by a generous 104.5-inch wheelbase and a wider stance for improved stability all-around.
“Simple Elegance” is the most apt description of the interior. You get a strong sense of everything having been meticulously designed rather than just placed. The digital screen is easily visible and reachable but doesn’t dominate the dash like a big-screen TV in a walk-in closet. The screen size is 7 inches on LX and Sport models, growing to 9 inches on the EX-L. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility is standard throughout, with the added convenience of a wireless connection on the EX-L. Physical controls remain for areas where they are the most useful, such as volume and most climate control functions. The gauge cluster is another intelligent mix of new and traditional, with a physical analog speedometer on the right and a digital tachometer and speedometer on the right.

2023 Honda HR-V EX-L

Power with Refinement

With the HR-V redesign came a larger 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for a vehicle of the HR-V’s size. Compared to the previous model, the new drivetrain features improved drivability, refinement, and lower emissions. EPA estimated fuel mileage is 26 city, 32 highway, and 28 combined. Real-Time all-wheel drive is available on all models and has been retuned to send more engine torque to the rear wheels when things get slippery, which has been known to happen from time to time here in Washington.

2023 Honda HR-V EX-L

Still Big on Safety

Speaking of safety, consider that the HR-V is rated as a Top Safety Pick+ rating which is the highest possible crashworthiness rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The NHTSA awarded the FWD HR-V an overall five-star rating, while the AWD model has not yet been tested. Helping achieve these ratings is the Honda Sensing package of safety and driver assist features that is standard on all models. The package is full of features that can both warn and protect you and simply make driving easier:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition System
• Auto High-Beam Headlights

Not to be overlooked is the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera* with Dynamic Guidelines, which includes a wide-angle view that greatly assists you when backing out of a parking spot when large vehicles next to you are blocking your view.

With space, comfort, elegance, efficiency, and Honda’s legendary clever design, the HR-V can be your perfect downsize vehicle. This description doesn’t do the model justice, so bring your family hauler to Rairdon’s Honda of Sumner and give the HR-V a test drive.