When the latest generation of HRV launched here in the Philippines in 2022, it immediately caught our attention for its sleek design and ergonomic interior. It was also one of the first turbocharged Japanese models to enter the subcompact crossover SUV segment.
Now in 2025, the time is right to give it a mid-cycle facelift to keep it competitive amidst stiffer and sometimes, electrified competition. The question now is, does the 2025 Honda HR-V S remain a solid choice?
Exterior
When I first saw the 2025 Honda HR-V S, I would say it has a unique shape for a subcompact SUV. Starting with the side profile, you will notice that the car didn’t get that much of an update from its pre-facelift version. It still kept that similar “hunchback” design from when it came out in 2022, whilst still having a sporty silhouette and the door handles being mounted discreetly on the window pillar. The visual effect makes it appear like a coupe, just like what Mazda did on the RX-7. The HR-V S, which is the base variant, came mounted with 215/60 R-17 wheels wrapped in Goodyear Triple Max Assurance tires.
While the side profile remains similar, it is the front end that received a more pronounced change. The grille now looks sleeker, with its horizontal spats and LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) that complement the whole front end. At the back, the HR-V S gets full-width LED taillights, while the rear bumper has been slightly redesigned.
Interior And Cargo
When getting in the HR-V, you are greeted with a very simple yet familiar interior. You now have the standard smart keyless entry for convenience, and much like the 2025 Honda City, one of the biggest changes to the interior is the new 8-inch touchscreen display audio complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Though the screen’s housing design looks similar, the software is new, and the display also has a higher resolution.
It’s nice that the HR-V still has an analog gauge cluster, but lacks a dedicated temperature gauge, just like in the Honda City. A recurring feature with Honda is the gauge lighting to indicate modes. Once shifted to sport mode, you are given a white light accent to indicate that you are indeed in sport mode.
Moving down to the center section of the car, I personally like that not all functions are controlled by a screen. The rotary knobs on the climate control give it a more tactile feel, making it hassle-free to operate while driving. I also like the various modes for how the vents blow air. For those who don’t want direct cold air being blown on their face, they can turn a knob to disperse air flow and retain cool ventilation.
Moving to the seats, the HRV-S comes with black fabric upholstery. In the higher variants like the HR-V V, it has a more premium feel with its leather upholstery. A total of 5 passengers can fit in the HR-V comfortably, though headroom at the rear is okay, but not outstanding. Legroom, however, is generous. As for cargo, it is rated at 431 liters of space, which rises to 1,665 liters when the rear seats are folded flat.
Engine
The beating heart of the 2025 Honda HR-V S is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC inline-four, producing a decent 121 hp and 145 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a CVT powering the front wheels. As standard in Honda, the CVT transmission is used across all HR-V variants, providing a smooth driving experience and contributing to the vehicle’s fuel economy. It’s not the most powerful, but it does the job.
Driving
For this experience, I was able to take this car on the winding roads of Talisay, Tagaytay, as well as SLEX and Los Banos. Let’s start with the mountain roads going down to Talisay. This is where the HR-V S showcases its best, as well as some of its limits. While it handles corners really well and the ride remains composed, uphill stretches reveal that the 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine needs to be pushed and, with the CVT often in “S” mode, to maintain momentum. On some downhill portions, slowing down can be a bit challenging. Yes, the HR-V S does have paddle shifters to shift to a lower gear, but the engine braking isn’t very strong, so you do end up relying more on the brake pedal.
Where it shows its brilliance is with its handling prowess. The HR-V S comes with a traditional MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension. I was genuinely surprised by how confident and enjoyable the handling felt, even on a more spirited drive.
On to highway drives, it feels exactly like the Honda City, but taller. It’s easy to drive, and the suspension is able to take uneven pavement really well. The only downside for me is that because the engine is a bit underpowered, overtaking can be a bit unpleasant with the CVT revving really high, causing the engine to drone as it gradually picks up speed. Not really a deal breaker, just something to improve on.
Safety
The 2025 Honda HR-V S also comes standard with Honda SENSING, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigating Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lead Car Departure Notification, and Auto High Beam. The HR-V also has a rear camera, wherein the quality is decent, and it still gives an accurate distance between you and the other cars or objects.
Conclusion
Honda has clearly maintained its tried-and-true formula for building a fun and reliable crossover, and the HR-V S still delivers on those core values. However, at P1,450,000, especially compared to what the electrified or turbocharged rivals now offer in terms of performance, technology, and overall value, the HR-V S feels a bit lacking.
It’s a great car, don’t get me wrong, with handling that’s solid and a safety suite that’s well-calibrated, but with its price point being priced a bit high, there would inevitably be buyers who would gravitate towards more value-packed offerings. Still, if you value Honda’s engineering in making a subcompact crossover SUV that handles well and offers great practicality, then the HR-V in base S form is a compelling but expensive proposition.
Price: P1,450,000*
*Correct as of this article’s writing
Photos by JC Morata
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