The Honda HR-V does 29.4 mpg combined (27.2 city, 33.2 highway), which works out to about $1,306 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl does 30.4 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 28 — a difference of $108 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Honda HR-V engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Honda HR-V ranges from 30.4 down to 28 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $108 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 28 / 34 | 2016–2022 | $1,263 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 26 / 32 | 2023–2027 | $1,371 |
What that actually costs
The Honda HR-V burns a gallon every 29.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 408 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.109 |
| Fuel per year | $1,306 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,530 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$188 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,117 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Honda HR-V gives up 6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.2 out there against 27.2 in town, a 22% drop worth $255 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 27.2 mpg | $1,412 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.2 mpg | $1,157 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the HR-V changed over the years
The HR-V peaked in 2018 at 31 mpg (28 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2027 at 28 — 3 mpg apart, or $132 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 28. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2026 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2023 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2020 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2017 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2016 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Honda HR-V — 2 engines across 2016–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,117. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda HR-V get?
29.4 mpg combined on average — 27.2 in the city and 33.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2027.
How much does a Honda HR-V cost in fuel per year?
About $1,306 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,530 over five years, or 0.109 dollars a mile.
Which HR-V engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 30.4 mpg, against 28 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $108 a year.
Is the HR-V good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world HR-V figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Honda HR-V is $2,117 against the $1,306 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 31 and 28 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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