Honda SensingThe Honda Sensing suite of safety aids is an impressive package of modern tech that helps drivers and passengers feel more comfortable on the road. It provides a number of features that come as standard on the HR-V, giving it a sense of safety and security before you even step inside.The Honda Sensing suite includes forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, road departure warning, and mitigation, adaptive cruise control with a low-speed follow function, and lane-keep assist. Upper trim levels add even more equipment. The Sport and EX-L trim feature blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic monitor, while the top-level EX-L adds low-speed braking control and front-and-rear parking sensors.All trim levels feature a wide-view front camera, added to the HR-V in 2023, that scans a 100-degree field of view. According to Honda, the system's field of view is twice as wide as the previous-gen HR-V's camera-and-radar system. It can recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and road boundaries like curbs or painted white road lines — all impressive features for a relatively basic SUV. 9-inch touchscreenA previous generation of HR-V had two available touchscreens, and both were pretty small. The base model got a 5-inch touchscreen, while the upper trim levels got a 7-inch display. But with the current-generation HR-V, things are upgraded a bit. A 7-inch screen is now standard on both LX and Sport trim levels. The graphics are acceptable, and there are large buttons and knobs to help control the screen's functions if you don't want to rely solely on the touchscreen. The real party piece, though, is the 9-inch touchscreen.Standard on the top-trim EX-L models, the 9-inch touchscreen has better graphics, and the larger display is easier to see from the driver's seat. The 9-inch screen gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an upgrade from the standard 7-inch system, which can only connect via USB. The larger screen also means access to SiriusXM satellite radio connectivity, and a wireless phone charging pad is included as part of the deal. To top it all off, the EX-L has an 8-speaker stereo system (double the standard speakers in the LX).Hill descent controlThe introduction of Hill Descent Control as a standard feature on the HR-V was a first for any Honda SUV. The system is activated by pressing and holding the brake pedal, then pressing the Hill Descent Control button on the center console. Then, once a speed (between 2-12 mph) is selected, the system allows the driver to remove their foot from the brake pedal, and the car takes over. The HR-V's brakes are then activated, keeping it at the pre-determined speed and allowing the driver to focus on steering. This system can be especially helpful in scenarios like an icy day when you have to go down your steep driveway. Or, if you've gone into the wilderness, Hill Descent Control can help there, too.Sure, the HR-V isn't the first vehicle you expect to see when you're off-roading, and it certainly won't be seen conquering the Rubicon trail, but a bit of exploration off the beaten path isn't out of the question. The HR-V is available with all-wheel drive on every trim level (LX, Sport, and EX-L), which is helpful for drivers who live in rough-weather areas. The HR-V's three drive modes (Normal, Eco, and Snow) should also help deal with inclement weather. Put all this together, and you have a compact SUV that could explore some mildly challenging dirt roads without many issues.