2015 Honda HR-V launched in Thailand

The Honda HR-V has been launched in Thailand. The B-segment SUV is positioned as a “premium sport crossover” in the Land of Smiles and is only available in 1.8 litre form, paired to a CVT automatic gearbox. In keeping with the premium positioning, there’s no 1.5L or manual version in Thailand.

The 1.8 litre engine is question makes 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, similar to the one in the Civic 1.8. The SOHC i-VTEC unit is paired to Honda’s G Design Shift CVT automatic gearbox. The engine is E85 biofuel compatible for the Thai market.

The HR-V sits on the platform that underpins the B-segment City and Jazz duo, but its wheelbase is the longest in the family at 2,610 mm, 10 mm longer than the sedan and 80 mm longer than the hatch. Being an SUV, it’s the tallest too – all versions ride on 17-inch alloys with 215/55 tyres.

Three grades are on offer in Thailand – S, E and EL. Standard on the entry-level S grade are Ultra Seats, Smart Key (keyless entry) with push start, electric parking brake, ECON mode button, LED tail lamps, five-inch touch screen head unit, Bluetooth, touch-sensitive auto air-con, ABS, EBD, Hill Start Assist, Isofix, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and dual front airbags.

The E adds on LED headlamps with daytime running lamps (DRLs), paddle shifters, cruise control, seven-inch touch screen head unit with Advance Touch, SIRI and smartphone integration, two USB ports (one in S), and HDMI port and six speakers (four in S).

The top of the range EL spec gets luxuries such as a panoramic roof, “tube style” LED rear lamps, piano black interior trim plus side and curtain airbags to make it six in total.

Also available is an optional Modulo pack, which includes visual add-ons such as an all-round bodykit, a different grille treatment and larger 18-inch, dual-tone wheels. Also thrown in are stylised wing mirror caps, grab handle covers, front fender garnish, boot sill protector and window visors.

The HR-V starts from 890,000 baht (RM90,922) for the S, rising to 975,000 baht (RM99,609) for the E. The range topping EL goes for 1.045 million baht (RM106,761). Colour options include Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black Pearl, White Orchid Pearl, Ruse Black Metallic and Morpho Blue Pearl.

Now that the HR-V has been launched in Indonesia and Thailand, Malaysia should be next in the list. This will be a hot one when it lands, for sure.