HR-V gets posh new styling
Interior simplified, looks like bigger sibling Civic
Honda has just revealed the all-new HR-V, badged the Vezel in Japan, the model gets impressive new styling, an all-new interior, and so far has been shown solely with a hybrid driveline, though it’s not yet clear if North America will get that driveline or even this model.
While the existing Honda HR-V has styling that’s more than a little busy, with large swaths of chrome, the new model has a much simpler, and much more Mazda air to the styling. With a flat and tall grille, shown here in body colour, and clean side lines, it doesn’t look like any other Honda. The sharply sloped rear hatch gives it a coupe-like appearance, though it is again still uncluttered at the rear.
The interior looks nearly identical to the previews of the all-new 2022 Honda Civic that we’ve already seen. Wide, airy, and, like the outside, uncluttered. A massive change from the current model and Honda has kept physical HVAC controls and a volume knob for the upright infotainment screen.
In the versions for Japan and Europe, the driveline is a 1.5L four with a CVT matched with Hondas two-motor hybrid system called e:HEV. Figures weren’t provided, but it appears to be the same driveline as in the new Fit, where it offers 96 hp and 97 lb-ft from the gas engine and 106 hp and 187 lb-ft from the electric motor. Front and all-wheel drive are offered. While that seems underpowered for the North American market, Honda does have a number of other small-engine powertrains including the 1.5L turbo from the Civic and the 151 hp hybrid system used in the Insight.
The new Honda HR-V goes on sale in Japan in the spring with European deliveries starting later this year.
