How Many Miles & Years Do Honda HR-V Last? (Actual Numbers)

The Honda HR-V boasts typical subcompact SUV qualities–frugal fuel consumption, superior cargo-carrying capacity, and exquisite styling.

Check out our article about common problems with Honda HR-Vs and then read below about how long they last.

But is durability part of the HR-V’s many attributes? Read on to find out.

Here is the short answer to how long the Honda HR-V lasts?

With proper maintenance and good driving manners, a new Honda HR-V can last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles easily. If you drive for an average of 15,000 miles each year like most American drivers, you will likely get 13 or more years of pain-free service from the Honda HR-V.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Honda HR-V?

Based on reports from owners, you can expect about an average of 200,000 miles from a new Honda HR-V. This will, however, depend on how much maintenance and proper use it gets.

The HR-V has a Maintenance Minder feature that reminds you to do things like changing your oil, spark plugs, etc. You must be careful to watch out for alerts on the MM and do whatever activity it recommends.

Aggressively driving your HR-V will work against you if you’re trying to get it past the 200,000-mile mark.

Your engine and other components receive additional strain when you push your car to the limit. This can lead to these components developing faults and failing earlier than expected.

We still see a lot of the first-generation HR-V on European roads.

You can see the best and worst years in the U.S. for Honda HR-V here.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Honda HR-V?

As with many vehicles, the Honda HR-V will get rust on it with time. However, we found that rust often appears earlier than normal on the Honda HR-V.

For instance, some owners reported seeing rust on their new HR-Vs as early as the first year.

One owner even saw rust on his HR-V, even though the vehicle had barely reached two months of use.

Based on these reports, expect rust on your new Honda HR-V within the first three years of driving it. How early rust sets in on your vehicle will depend on the following factors:

Region

If you live in areas where authorities apply salt or snow-melting chemicals on roads in winter, your chances of getting rust increase.

Both road salt and those chemicals are corrosive to bare metal and will surely cause rust.

Some owners living in these areas (the Rust Belt) have complained of their exhausts rusting from exposure to road salt.

Also, living near the coast can significantly increase your chances of getting rust on your vehicle. Salty sea air can deposit salt particles on your vehicle and accelerate corrosion on it.

Storage

Leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements will cause it to rust faster.

Certain parts of your car can trap moisture from rainfall, which will accelerate corrosion and rust.

Below are some areas that can rust, according to owners of the Honda HR-V:

• Side door panels
• Tailgate
• Rear seat area
• Exhaust

Rust Prevention on Honda HR-V

While rust may seem inevitable, especially if you live in the rust belt, you can stop or, at least, reduce it on your vehicle.

Most HR-V owners agree that rustproofing your vehicle is the best way to prevent rusting.

You can either get the rustproofing done yourself or do it at the dealership, although the former option is cheaper.

You can coat all parts of your vehicle, especially the rust-prone areas with a handy rust protectant like Krown or Rust Check.

This will help stop rust and prolong your vehicle’s lifespan.

Please also check our article about driving the Honda HR-V in snow and winter.

How Long Do Honda HR-V Last Compared to Similar Car Models?

The subcompact SUV segment is one of the most populated segments, with various brands jockeying for a share of the market.

How does the Honda HR-V compare with these models in terms of longevity?

Read on to find out.

Honda HR-V vs. Mazda CX-3

The Honda HR-V will last you longer than the Mazda CX-3. While the best you can get from a Mazda CX-3 is 150,000 miles, you can get up to 200,000 miles from the Honda HR-V.

Honda HR-V vs. Buick Encore

The Buick Encore, although an impressive vehicle, isn’t as durable as the Honda HR-V.

The average mileage you can get out of a Buick Encore is around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. This is far lower than the 200,000 miles that the Honda HR-V promises to give.

Honda HR-V vs. Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax is a great subcompact SUV that offers impressive durability.

We estimate you will get up to 200,000 miles from a new Chevrolet Trax. This puts it at par with the Honda HR-V, which gets 200K miles in service life.

Make sure to also read our article about how long the Ford EcoSport lasts.

How Reliable Is a Honda HR-V?

The Honda HR-V is reliable enough that you will get to enjoy its outstanding features for a long time.

On several forums, most HR-V owners agreed on one fact: the Honda HR-V is as reliable as other vehicles in Honda’s lineup.

Further proof of the HR-V’s reliability exists in the model’s excellent performance on different reliability rankings.

For example, RepairPal gives it a perfect 5/5 rating for reliability, ranking it as the most reliable subcompact SUV.

The Best and Worst Years for Honda HR-V

Car Complaints, an automotive complaints site, ranks the 2016 Honda HR-V as the worst model year, based on the number of complaints about it. On the site, owners complained mostly about uncomfortable seats on the 2016 models.

According to the owners, the seats on those models are incredibly uncomfortable for drivers and make driving a nightmare.

Some drivers even report experiencing various health problems (headaches, backaches, etc.) resulting from sitting too long in their Honda HR-V.

Another commonly reported problem on the 2016 Honda HR-Vs is the peeling paint issue.

Some individuals have reported noticing their paint peeling and bubbling, ruining the vehicle’s look. Moreover, the problem often happens early, with some owners reporting this issue within the first year of use.

If you’re looking for the best model year, then the 2019 Honda HR-V is right up your alley. Car Complaints recorded only three complaints on this model–the lowest in the Honda HR-V lineup.

The 2019 Honda HR-V also benefits from newer features including ApplePlay and Android Auto compatibility and some advanced safety technologies.

If you’re in the hunt for a pre-owned Honda HR-V, we recommend getting one released in 2019.

Also check our article about how long Ford Escapes last.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Honda HR-V is perhaps the least recalled vehicle in Honda’s production lineup, with only three recalls to its name. Below is a breakdown of recall numbers for all model years of the Honda HR-V:

• 2016 Honda HR-V: 2 recalls
• 2017 Honda HR-V: 0 recalls
• 2018 Honda HR-V: 2 recalls
• 2019 Honda HR-V: 2 recalls
• 2020 Honda HR-V: 0 recalls

Honda HR-V Model Year List

Here are all the model years for the Honda HR-V:

• 2016 Honda HR-V
• 2017 Honda HR-V
• 2018 Honda HR-V
• 2019 Honda HR-V
• 2020 Honda HR-V

Are Honda HR-V Expensive to Maintain?

We’ve seen a lot of cars that are inexpensive to maintain, but the Honda HR-V is perhaps the best of them.

This nimble SUV costs a meager $301 in annual service expenses. It is cheaper compared to the average subcompact SUV ($466) or the average vehicle ($652).

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

You can expect anything between 30,000 to 60,000 miles from your Honda HR-V’s brakes. The durability of your brakes depends on the kind of driving you do.

If you do more highway driving (with less braking), your brakes will last longer than if you do more city driving (with more braking).

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The tires on the Honda HR-V generally have a lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 miles. How long your tires last will depend on how you use and maintain them.

Frequent driving will wear your tires out quickly, as will poor maintenance.

Honda HR-V owners recommend rotating the tires once every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This will ensure your tires wear out evenly and have a longer life.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The transmission on a new Honda HR-V should be good for another 100,000 miles, if adequately maintained.

Ways you can maintain your transmission include changing the transmission filter and flushing the transmission fluid periodically.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

The Honda HR-V uses iridium spark plugs, which are good for up to 100,000 miles. Certain factors such as driving habits may, however, may force you to replace the plugs earlier.

Say, you frequently drive in heavy-traffic situations, you may need to replace the spark plugs before 100,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

The average annual cost for insuring a Honda HR-V is $1,764. If we break this down further, you will pay about $147 monthly to insure your HR-V.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Honda HR-V

Here are tips to extend the life of your Honda HR-V:

1. Avoid any modifications to your vehicle: Modifications, especially those designed to boost performance, will strain your vehicle’s components and hasten wear and tear.
   If you want your Honda HR-V to last long, keep it in the same bare-bones manner you bought it.
2. Do not scrimp on maintenance costs: Trying to save money on maintenance by buying cheap parts or consulting quack technicians will set up your vehicle for a reduced lifespan.
   Buy high-quality spare parts and service your vehicle only at Honda-licensed outlets or reputable repair shops. You may spend more, but you will get your returns in increased lifespan.
3. Inspect your vehicle regularly for symptoms of problems: Before you drive every day, conduct a quick check of your vehicle’s components. This can reveal any hidden issues that can develop into more complex issues that can lead to your car breaking down.

If you detect something is wrong, take your vehicle for a comprehensive diagnosis. After this, try to fix whatever is wrong with the car as soon as possible. This will keep your vehicle running without a hitch and increase its durability.

Resources

https://www.cars.com/research/honda-hr_v/

https://m.carcomplaints.com/Honda/HR-V/

https://repairpal.com/reliability/honda/hr-v.amp

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