The Worst Honda Car In 2023 Isn’t As Bad As Many Think

Honda, the popular Japanese automobile company, is a well-known brand in Nigeria for its quality vehicles. Honda has been manufacturing cars since the 1960s and has since become a household name across Nigeria. The company’s cars are popular for their durability, reliability, and great fuel economy.

Honda is renowned for producing a range of vehicles, from sedans to SUVs and coupes, to suit the Nigerian market. Some of the well-known vehicles in Nigeria include the Honda Accord, Civic, Pilot, HR-V, and CR-V. Honda’s innovative engineering has made it possible for the cars to perform well in Nigeria’s often challenging road conditions. Honda is an iconic brand that has established itself as a leader in the automotive industry. Its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability has earned it a loyal following of customers around the world.

In Nigeria, Honda has made its name known throughout the whole country, and most people think that Hondas are the best cars to cross the path of Nigerian roads. But that is far from the truth. Not all Honda cars are good, but they make the most reliable cars you will find in the automobile marketplace. At this point, you might be wondering, “What car is the worst Honda will produce in 2023?” Well, we have the right answer for you. 

Why The Honda HR-V Isn’t Very Good?

The outward size of the newly updated Honda HR-V for 2023 has increased, but the inside room for passengers and freight has not changed, which is probably the reason why it isn’t so well-liked. The Honda HR-V isn’t popular in Nigeria like its Honda counterparts, and space in most cars is everything to car shoppers, so when this isn’t added or changed, it betrays more than an oversight on the part of the manufacturers.

It also has improved handling, a roomy, luxurious cabin, and a smooth ride, which should have compensated for its size or lack thereof, but it doesn’t really. The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (the same one used in the Honda Civic) replaces the 1.8-litre four-cylinder seen in the 2022 model, giving the recently released HR-V an additional performance boost, but that isn’t enough; the Civic and the HR-V are not comparable, and making their engines alike was a “gun to the head” thing for the automakers to do. Although it is well-equipped when it comes to safety, that is where it stops. The HR-V does nothing to articulate or, better yet, remedy its past faults. 

Why Is The Honda HR-V Not Liked?

The 2023 Honda HR-V may not be well-liked by Honda due in part to its subpar acceleration. The vehicle’s engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 158 horsepower, is mated to a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT) and front-wheel drive; however, an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant is also offered. On the surface, it looks like a good-performing car, but when looked at in-depth, it is a very low-performance car, which shouldn’t be attributed to this small SUV. Yet, its sluggish acceleration prevents it from outperforming rivals like the Toyota Corolla.

The 2022 HR-V has received negative expert evaluations for its noisy engine and slow acceleration, and the new 2.0-litre engine isn’t any better. It finds it difficult to go quickly ahead, especially when starting from a stop, and when pushed, it makes a lot of noise. One would think only cars with powerful engines will make boisterous noises, but that is not the case with the Honda HR-V. Even with its lack of power, the car noise still remains very loud, and one has to wonder what Honda was thinking when making this car. 

Furthermore, even though the HR-V has a larger exterior and a more contemporary interior, the passenger and cargo space remains unaltered. For instance, the car lacks the second-row “Magic Seat” design of the outgoing model, which means owners cannot flip and fold the rear seat to create a low, flat floor for enhanced cargo capacity. This would have been a great idea if there was enough passenger space as it is, but there isn’t, so what they did was just to make that space extra cramped. 

It’s important to note that the 2023 Honda HR-V is still a good car. As a result, the SUV variant isn’t always a bad car. Compared to the currently available, rather robotic variant, it has a revamped exterior with smooth lines, an eye-catching grille, larger headlamps, and remarkable design elements that improve its posture and appearance.

While the previous model shared the majority of its components with the now-discontinued Honda Fit, which wasn’t available in Nigeria, to begin with, the new second-generation HR-V inherits many of its features and equipment from the current Honda Civic, and we all know how good the Civic is.

As soon as you step inside, you’ll be astounded by the opulent, elegant, and high-end aesthetic. It doesn’t have the second-row “Magic Seat” design, but it does have supportive, comfy, and adjustable front seats. The engine’s capacity and power output have also increased, and the new model includes more features as standard equipment, such as updated front and rear suspension systems.

The Honda HR-V is a practical and stylish vehicle that offers a comfortable, fuel-efficient, and safe ride. Its affordability also makes it an attractive buy for Nigerian buyers who want to get the most out of their investment.