DecodedCars2021 Honda HR-V
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV 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)
- 30 combined · 28 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 171.3 in
- Curb weight
- 2,910–3,071 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 141 hp, versus about 201 hp for similar 2021 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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 171 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,071 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 34 highway), 3% worse than the 2021 small station wagon average of 31 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 HR-V — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 HR-V →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Celaya, Gto
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 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 SUV AWD | 171.3 in | 69.7 in | 63 in | 102.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,071 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 171.3 in | 69.7 in | 63 in | 102.8 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 2,910 lb | 60/40 |
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 / 30 | -3% | $2,250 | 292 |
| HR-V FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | -3% | $2,250 | 292 |
| HR-V AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 31 / 29 | -6% | $2,300 | 311 |
| HR-V AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | -10% | $2,400 | 315 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda HR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 13.5% |
| 2021 Honda HR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.3% |
Similar 2021 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda HR-V (this car) | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Kia Niro | 50 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 259 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Back Over Prevention › Software · May 31, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V384000 · 114,686 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Feb 2, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V046000 · 114,686 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6DW. This recall has been superseded by NHTSA recall number 24V-384. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V-046 will need to have the new remedy completed under recall 24V-384.
Not every 2021 Honda HR-V is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Honda HR-V buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 20 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,000 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 2021 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 |
| 2020 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 85 |
| 2019 HR-V | 30 | 171.3 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 240 |
| 2018 HR-V | 31 | 168.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 160 |
| 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 →