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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,170–$33,507 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Honda HR-V SL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.1/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,170–$33,507, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Honda HR-V SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.3/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2018 Honda HR-V SL will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Honda HR-V SL ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,170 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 27%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the HR-V SL model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $32,871 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $31,915 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $30,956 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $30,000 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $29,042 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $28,085 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $27,127 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $26,170 | |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,212 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $24,255 | Read review → |
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
