New 2023 Husqvarna Hard Cross – The new HC eMTB line-up at a glance

The all-new Husqvarna Hard Cross models represent the brand’s flagship 2023 range, which has remained largely unchanged since 2019. We had a first look at the aluminium HC5 to give you a summary of the innovations and hard facts. Do Husqvarna’s new ebikes still have motorcycle genes or do cranks and pedals reign supreme?

What comes after Light Cross and Mountain Cross? That’s right! Hard Cross – at least according to Husqvarna, one of the oldest motorcycle manufacturers. The brand are best known for their motorcycles, lawnmowers, and chainsaws, though they’ve long been established in the ebike segment, calling themselves pioneers in the field. Following last year’s renewal of the Light Cross (LC) and Mountain Cross (MC) models, the time has come for the flagship range to get a makeover. The wheel sizes, travel, geometry, battery size, and design as a whole have changed. The new Hard Cross models now roll on a mullet setup with a 29er up front and 27.5″ wheel on the rear, and the rear travel has reduced by 10 mm. This leaves the new HC range with 180- and 170-mm travel at the front and rear respectively. The batteries of the two top end models, on the other hand, have grown to 720 Wh. The only constant seems to be the Shimano EP8 motor, which isn’t integrated, staying true to Husqvarna’s signature eMTB style. Instead, it’s exposed to cooling fresh air and highlighted, screaming “look at me, I’m an ebike!” But that’s enough of the secrecy: let’s get to the all-important facts and figures of the new 2023 Husqvarna Hard Cross HC.

The 2023 Husqvarna Hard Cross HC5 in detail

If the devil is in the details, Husqvarna’s designers certainly were devilish when developing the bike. The head tube badge functions as a camouflaged ventilation port for the battery in the down tube, promising consistent battery performance. You can access the battery via a large flap in the down tube, which is held in place with the help of a knurled thumb screw. The battery itself is further secured by a lock. The charging port in the bend of the seat stays is rather safe than sorry, imitating the fuel cap design of most cars: open the flap, then remove the cap. Some might find this annoying, but others will think of it as a post-ride ceremony – see you at the charging station!

The cable routing on the new Husqvarna HC takes place entirely through the headset. This ensures a clean look and eliminates the need for any cable ports in the front triangle. Compared to the previous Husqvarna Hard Cross 9.0, the chainstay protector is no longer just a short neoprene sleeve, but a firmly attached component of the rear end. However, it still doesn’t offer the most extensive level of protection.

One of the standout features is the motor (un)integration. Here, Husqvarna go against the trend of over-integration, leaving the motor exposed and almost floating in the frame, as on their other models. Thus, Husqvarna remain true to their established design language.

Components of the 2023 Husqvarna Hard Cross HC5

The Husqvarna Hard Cross 5 is the top-end model of the new HC range, weighing in at 24.6 kg and available for € 8,199. In return, you get a large 720 Wh battery combined with the 85 Nm Shimano EP8 motor. FOX take care of the suspension, controlling 180 mm travel up front and 170 mm in the rear. The FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork, and X2 Factory shock offer a wide range of adjustment options to suit every riding style and trail.

In contrast to the bike shown, the production model comes specced with Shimano XT four-piston brakes, bringing you reliably to a halt. These are paired with a big 220 mm rotor on the front and a 200 mm version on the rear. The Shimano XTR derailleur is the lightest model in Shimano’s MTB line-up and offers excellent shifting performance. Unfortunately, however, it’s combined with a cheaper and heavier DEORE cassette.

In line with the bike’s targeted use-case, you get a set of robust Schwalbe tires consisting of a 29″ Magic Mary up front and a 27.5″ Hans Dampf on the rear, both relying on the soft rubber compound and thick Super Gravity casing. This allows you to run low tire pressures on the DT Swiss HX 1700 wheels, increasing traction without running the risk of punctures.

The models of the 2023 Husqvarna HC range

If the Husqvarna HC5 marks the top of the range, there are 4 models below that according to Husqvarna’s nomenclature. With prices ranging from € 8,199 for the flagship model to € 5,499 for the entry-level version, Husqvarna’s top-end bike would be one of the most affordable in our biggest group test to date, consisting of 30 eMTBs. While the entire Hard Cross line-up is exclusively available with aluminium frames, the biggest difference we can spot between the models is the varying battery size. The HC4 and 5 come with the larger 720 Wh battery, whereas the HC3, 2 and 1 models have to make do with a smaller 630 Wh version. When it comes to the remaining components, Husqvarna rely on a wild mix across the model variants. From SRAM G2 RSC brakes on the HC4 to MAGURA MT5s on the HC1, there’s a little bit of everything. The same goes for the drivetrain, where you can find everything from Shimano to SRAM and TEKTRO, depending on the model. The biggest deviation from the norm is the TEKTRO E-Drive RD-M350 derailleur, which offers just 9 gears and therefore inevitably has bigger gear jumps. The remaining drivetrains all have much finer increments thanks to 12 gears.

The geometry of the 2023 Husqvarna HC5

The Husqvarna Hard Cross has modern geometry with a relatively slack 64.5° head angle and steep 77° seat tube angle. The stack height, i.e. the height of the front, is quite tall at 674 mm. The eMTBs of the Hard Cross range are available in sizes S–XL and should cater to riders from 1.55 to 2 m tall.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	574 mm	604 mm	632 mm	661 mm
Seat tube	410 mm	435 mm	460 mm	485 mm
Head tube	100 mm	115 mm	130 mm	145 mm
Head angle	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°
Seat angle	77.4°	77.3°	77.2°	77.2°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	18 mm	18 mm	18 mm	18 mm
Wheelbase	1,215 mm	1,248 mm	1,277 mm	1,309 mm
Reach	430 mm	455 mm	480 mm	505 mm
Stack	647 mm	661 mm	674 mm	687 mm

Our conclusion on the new 2023 Husqvarna Hard Cross HC5

The key figures of the new Husqvarna Hard Cross HC5 look very promising on paper, and nifty details like the unusual charging port and battery ventilation through the head tube badge testify to the brand’s inventiveness. The components have been sensibly specced, too, and the price point sounds fair. It’s set to be a winner if it can match that performance on the trail. We can’t wait to get our hands on a bike to see what it’s capable of.

For more information, visit husqvarna-bicycles.com

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Schwede