2022 Honda HR-V Interior: A Spacious and Practical Sanctuary
The 2022 Honda HR-V has caught a lot of attention for its reliability and impressive interior that manages to blend practicality with modern comforts. From family outings to solo adventures this compact crossover offers a unique experience inside that feels bigger than you’d expect.
Whether you're a city commuter or an off-road adventurer looking to escape the chaos of daily life the HR-V is versatile enough to suit your lifestyle. In this comprehensive look at the 2022 Honda HR-V interior we’ll cover everything from design features comfort tech and usability to the drawbacks you might encounter along the way.
Design and Layout: A Clever Use of Space
The design of the 2022 HR-V interior is all about space efficiency. At first glance you'd be impressed by how Honda has engineered such a compact car to have an airy and expansive cabin. They know how to work with space and the HR-V shows that clearly.
Dashboard and Control Layout
The dashboard is clean and user-friendly. Everything is well within reach making it easier for drivers to keep their focus on the road. You won’t find unnecessary elements cluttering up the space. The 7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system is easy to use and blends well with the rest of the dashboard.
Climate Control
The climate control knobs are tactile and easy to use even with gloves on — a small but significant feature especially for those who live in colder areas. With Honda's usual attention to ergonomics you can tell they designed it to make life easier.
Potential Drawback: Button Design
While the design is overall ergonomic the buttons themselves might be considered a bit small. For drivers with larger hands manipulating some of the controls can be cumbersome. It’s a small gripe but it’s something to be mindful of if you prefer larger tactile buttons over smaller modern designs.
Seating: Comfort and Versatility at Its Best
Driver's Seat Comfort
Let’s talk about comfort. The seats in the 2022 HR-V are firm without being stiff. There is plenty of lumbar support to make long journeys more bearable. "I felt comfortable driving for hours without feeling fatigued" says Alex Collantes a car enthusiast who recently purchased the HR-V. The front seats are adjustable to suit different preferences so even taller drivers won’t find themselves cramped.
Rear Seats and Legroom
####### Rear Legroom Space
The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a subcompact crossover. Even adults can sit in the back comfortably without their knees pressing against the front seats. Honda’s Magic Seat feature lets you configure the rear seating in multiple ways to fit different types of cargo which really gives the HR-V an edge over some of its competitors.
Potential Drawback: Cushion Firmness
One potential downside is that the rear seat cushions are on the firmer side. For some passengers especially on longer trips they might feel a bit uncomfortable over time compared to other vehicles that offer softer rear seating.
Cargo Space and Storage: Honda’s Secret Weapon
Rear Cargo Area
One of the best parts of the 2022 HR-V interior is the cargo space. With the rear seats down you get up to 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space which is fantastic for a car of this size. Even with the seats up you have more than enough room for groceries luggage or whatever else you need to carry.
Magic Seat Versatility
- Tall Mode: Fold up the rear seat cushions for extra vertical space. Perfect for carrying plants or tall objects.
- Utility Mode: Fold down the seats completely for a flat cargo area.
- Long Mode: Fold the front passenger seat down to carry longer items like surfboards.
Storage Compartments
There are plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin to help keep things organized. Cup holders that actually fit large cups door pockets with enough space and a glovebox that isn’t just an afterthought. It's all thoughtfully designed.
Potential Drawback: Cargo Lip
The cargo area has a slight lip which can make loading and unloading heavier items a bit awkward. It’s not a major issue but if you frequently move heavier stuff this is worth noting.
Technology: Keeping You Connected
Infotainment System
The 7-inch infotainment display is functional and straightforward. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity which is a must-have these days. The screen’s responsiveness is decent and navigating through menus is pretty straightforward.
Audio System
The base audio system is good enough for most people but if you really care about premium sound quality you might find the six-speaker setup a bit lacking. Music aficionados might wish for deeper bass and richer tones which are typically offered in higher trims or aftermarket upgrades.
Potential Drawback: Outdated Graphics
The one downside of the infotainment system is that the graphics feel a bit outdated compared to more modern SUVs and crossovers. The interface works just fine but the design isn’t quite as crisp or sleek as others in its class.
Materials and Build Quality: Durable and Family-Friendly
Material Choices
Honda’s choice of interior materials in the 2022 HR-V is a mix of practicality and style. The soft-touch materials on the dashboard and armrests provide a more premium feel while hard plastics in high-traffic areas are designed for durability — something families will definitely appreciate.
Cloth vs. Leather Upholstery
- Cloth Upholstery: The base model comes with cloth seats which are comfortable and easy to clean. This is ideal if you have kids or pets who might create the occasional mess.
- Leather Upholstery: The higher trims offer leather which looks and feels more upscale but be mindful that leather requires more care to keep looking its best.
Potential Drawback: Hard Plastic Areas
One issue with the interior is that there are still quite a few hard plastic surfaces. Although they are positioned in places where they won’t be touched much it does detract slightly from the otherwise upscale feel of the cabin.
Passenger Comfort and Amenities
Air Conditioning and Ventilation
The air conditioning system in the HR-V works well — even during hot summer days. There are rear air vents too which is something that not all compact SUVs offer at this price point.
Heated Seats
Higher trims offer heated front seats which are a nice addition for those colder mornings. However one drawback is that there are no heated rear seats available at any trim level which could be a letdown for passengers in the back.
Sunroof and Lighting
The sunroof which is available in higher trims helps make the cabin feel even more spacious. Alex Collantes also mentioned "I love how the sunlight floods the interior. It makes every trip feel more open and connected to the outside."
Safety Features Inside the Cabin
Visibility and Driving Position
The driving position in the HR-V is elevated giving you a commanding view of the road. Visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows and well-designed mirrors.
Blind-Spot Visibility
The HR-V doesn’t have traditional blind-spot monitors on lower trims but the large side mirrors compensate for this somewhat. It’s a case where Honda's focus on basics helps keep costs low but if you’re used to having high-tech features like blind-spot monitoring it’s something to consider.
Honda Sensing Suite
The Honda Sensing suite offers adaptive cruise control lane keep assist and collision mitigation braking. These features work well and aren’t too intrusive which makes them perfect for both new and experienced drivers.
Potential Drawback: Learning Curve
The lane keep assist can be overly sensitive on narrow roads and may take some time for drivers to get used to. It’s something that not everyone will enjoy and could potentially feel bothersome.
Interior Lighting and Aesthetic Details
Ambient Lighting
The ambient lighting in the 2022 HR-V is subtle and well-placed — it doesn’t try to do too much but gives the cabin a pleasant feel during nighttime driving. The glow adds just enough personality without being distracting.
Instrument Cluster
The instrument cluster is straightforward and easy to read with an analog-digital combo that keeps things simple. However for some who prefer fully digital displays the setup may feel a little behind the times compared to other new models on the market.
Final Thoughts: A Great Interior with Minor Flaws
Pros of the 2022 Honda HR-V Interior
- Spacious Cabin: Impressive room for both passengers and cargo despite being a compact crossover.
- Magic Seat Versatility: Allows for multiple configurations that outshine many competitors.
- Practical Storage: Plenty of compartments and usable space.
- User-Friendly Tech: Simple infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Cons of the 2022 Honda HR-V Interior
- Firm Rear Seats: Might not be comfortable for all passengers especially during long trips.
- Outdated Infotainment Graphics: The display works well but doesn’t look as modern as rivals.
- Lack of Heated Rear Seats: Rear passengers are left out in colder weather.
- Small Controls: Some buttons are a bit too small for larger hands.
Conclusion
The 2022 Honda HR-V has a well-thought-out interior that prioritizes practicality comfort and versatility. It may not have the most luxurious materials or the flashiest tech but it shines in offering a spacious cabin with flexible configurations and straightforward controls. "I love how much value the HR-V brings for the price" says Alex Collantes. "You really feel like you’re getting more than what you paid for especially with how usable the interior is."
It’s true there are some minor drawbacks but they don't overshadow the overall value of this compact crossover. If you’re looking for a crossover that has a spacious and flexible interior while remaining efficient and affordable the 2022 Honda HR-V should definitely be on your list.
References:
- Honda Official Website
- Interviews with Alex Collantes
- Car and Driver's 2022 Honda HR-V Review
- User Reviews on Edmunds.com
With a well-rounded cabin a strong mix of tech comfort and usability the 2022 Honda HR-V makes a compelling case as one of the best options in the compact crossover market — if you can overlook a few minor compromises.