The Honda HR-V Gets the Mildest of Updates for 2017

2017 Honda HR-V (Credit: © Honda)

When you’re successful, it is often best to just leave things alone until something breaks. With the Honda HR-V being far from broken – it was a smash hit in its first year on the market – it’s no shock that Honda is just leaving it be in 2017.

Well, it’s not leaving it completely untouched for the new year as it will gain one new color: Lunar Silver metallic. This color will take the place of the outgoing Alabaster Silver.

While I totally understand leaving the HR-V alone, for the most part – I mean, it outsold the freaking RAV4; that’s pretty impressive. But I can’t help but think that Honda is leaving something on the table here. Sure, the HR-V is amazing with its good-enough power and amazing fuel economy, but it was lacking a few key options. One that is top of mind for me is an optional power liftgate – this is the only reason my wife and I went with the RAV4 Hybrid over it.

I highly doubt it would have broken the bank to add at least an optional power liftgate in 2017. In addition to that, I am certain buyers would have appreciated other add-ons, such as a premium audio option, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more.

Then again, I am not an expert in the field of automotive market analysis, so maybe I am completely off-base here. I guess time will tell now that the HR-V has had a full model year to allow demand to cool off a bit.

Despite its complete lack of changes, the 2017 HR-V will see price hikes across the board – $250 increases on front-wheel-drive models and $300 increases on all-wheel-drive modes. Pricing details are as follows:

• LX 2WD w/ 6MT $19,365
• LX 2WD w/ CVT $20,165
• LX AWD w/ CVT $21,465
• EX 2WD w/ 6MT $21,415
• EX 2WD w/ CVT $22,215
• EX AWD w/ CVT $23,515
• EX-L Navi 2WD w/ CVT $24,840
• EX-L Navi AWD w/ CVT $26,140

The 2017 Honda HR-V is rolling into showrooms now.