DecodedCars2018 Honda HR-V
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Cuv AWD, 4dr Cuv FWD
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 141 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 28 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 168.9 in
- Curb weight
- 2,910–3,062 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Honda HR-V is a small station wagon offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 169 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,062 lb (4dr Cuv AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 34 highway), 4% better than the 2018 small station wagon average of 29.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 HR-V — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 HR-V →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: El Salto, Jalisco · Celaya, Guanajuato
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 HR-V configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Cuv AWD | 168.9 in | 70.1 in | 63 in | 102.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,062 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Cuv FWD | 168.9 in | 70.1 in | 63 in | 102.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 2,910 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR-V FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 31 | +4% | $2,150 | 289 |
| HR-V FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 31 | +4% | $2,150 | 289 |
| HR-V AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | -2% | $2,300 | 314 |
| HR-V AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | -2% | $2,300 | 314 |
| HR-V FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | -6% | $2,400 | 314 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda HR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 13.5% |
| 2018 Honda HR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.3% |
Similar 2018 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda HR-V (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Fit | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Kia Niro | 50 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 238 mi | Not rated | 5 |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Fiat 500 L | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · May 28, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V314000 · 135,995 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Nov 1, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V777000 · 64,785 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
Not every 2018 Honda HR-V is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Honda HR-V buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 46 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel System, Gasoline — 27 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Power Train — 16 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Honda HR-V. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other HR-V years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 HR-V | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2026 HR-V | 28 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 19 |
| 2025 HR-V | 28 | 179.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 48 |
| 2024 HR-V | 28 | 179.9 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 110 |
| 2023 HR-V | 28 | 179.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 687 |
| 2022 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 89 |
| 2021 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 64 |
| 2020 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 85 |
| 2019 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 240 |
| 2017 HR-V | 31 | 168.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 123 |
| 2016 HR-V | 31 | 168.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 243 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →