The 2016 HR-V Hits Stores May 15th

2016 Honda HR-V (Credit: © Honda)

The subcompact crossover craze is in full effect, and Honda will soon officially enter that segment in the U.S. with the HR-V. Today, the brand announced exactly when its new, tiny crossover will hit stores, and what we can expect to pay for it.

As it typical with Honda models, the HR-V will arrive with three available trim levels: LX, EX, and EX-L. Within the LX and EX trims, buyers can choose from either a continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual, and they can choose from front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The EX-L, on the other hand, comes only with the CVT, but it does have the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Every version of the HR-V makes use of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. While this engine will work for the small crossover, don’t expect to get anywhere too quickly.

While its performance may leave something for buyers to desire, the 2016 HR-V excels in three main categories: fuel economy, safety, and cargo capacity. In fuel economy, the front-driven model tops out at 28 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, and the all-wheel-drive model delivers up to 27 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

2016 Honda HR-V (Credit: © Honda)

As for safety, the HR-V is a Top Safety Pick by the NHTSA and received a “good” rating from the IIHS’ tricky small-overlap frontal collision test.

In terms of cargo capacity, the HR-V is outstanding for its size at up to 24.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and up to 58.8 cubes thanks to the second-row “Magic Seat.” The total capacity does fall to 55.9 cubic feet in the EX and EX-L models with all-wheel drive, but that is still very good for such a small crossover.

Now comes the best part about the 2016 HR-V: its pricing. Putting together good cargo-hauling capabilities, good fuel economy, and outstanding safety ratings is one thing, but Honda combines this with a starting price of $19,115 for the LX model with the manual transmission. The CVT is an extra $800 and all-wheel drive adds $2,050. What’s more, this isn’t some stripped-down crossover either; it comes with a few premium features, like 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, steering wheel-mounted controls, LED taillights, and power windows and door locks.

2016 Honda HR-V (Credit: © Honda)

For buyers who want more features, there is the well-equipped EX that starts out at $21,165 with front-wheel drive and the manual transmission. This model adds in items like a 7-inch touchscreen, Honda LaneWatch (a personal favorite of mine), two extra audio speakers, heated front seats, fog lights, and more.

The EX-L takes things even further with leather upholstery, satellite-liked navigation, SiriusXM, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and roof rails. This trim starts at $24,590 and rises to $25,840 for all-wheel drive.

The HR-V will hit dealers on May 15th.