When the debuted in the U.S. over a decade ago, it did so with all the charm of a cutting board; it was a solid, reliable platform that you could use everyday and yet totally ignore. But this could change now that the 2023 Honda HR-V is finally here with a redesign that borrows heavily from the latest . The is finally trying to get our attention, and I think that with this second generation (), the does actually deserve it.

Come to think of it, it’s harder now to overlook that the outgoing shared design language with the . And that the CR-V looked like Honda stretched the face of a contemporary over too-big a frame. All three older Hondas shared a vaguely flat face — to some degree. Even if the previous HR-V wasn’t as ugly as the CR-V or Civic, it wasn’t exactly good-looking.

This new HR-V has a longer hood and with its narrow headlights set high, the crossover looks sleeker than before. The snout keeps the underbite, but it’s less.

The “unsightly roof moldings” are gone, per , and the windshield wipers are hidden. This makes for much cleaner lines overall. Honda that the HR-V is still based on the Civic, and like the eleventh-generation of the beloved sedan, the crossover :

Based on the award-winning 11th generation Honda Civic, the HR-V is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance while still remaining sporty and personal. The HR-V is the right size with the space and utility for an adventurous weekend escape, yet nimble to maneuver city streets. Set to launch this summer, HR-V will feature a more responsive engine and a new independent rear suspension, giving the compact SUV a more confident, refined and fun-to-drive personality.

It’s funny, then, that the 2023 Honda HR-V goes for a vibe that wants to convince us the HR-V is playful. Honda even calls out which customers the HR-V is after, specifically citing young and first time buyers. Honda is also doubling down on its claim that the new HR-V is sporty and adventurous, which is, more or less, marketing-speak for “you can off-road this at your own peril.”

But I don’t think the H-RV should try to be something it’s not. It’s not a sporty car; it’s also not an off-roader. I hope it turns out to be a hybrid car. And I really hope it’s still a cheap car, which starts somewhere around $21,870. Like before.

We can’t know exactly what kind of car it is based on specs, because those are still under wraps. Ditto the release date, which Honda says is sometime . Really, I think the 2023 Honda HR-V should mostly just lean — regardless of body roll — into what it finally is: a good-looking crossover.

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