SPYSHOTS: 2021 Honda HR-V spotted for the first time in Japan – more rugged design, steeper rear glass

SPYSHOTS: 2021 Honda HR-V spotted for the first time in Japan – more rugged design, steeper rear glass

Looks like road testing for the third-generation Honda HR-V has begun. This fully camouflaged test mule was spotted undergoing tests at the Metropolitan Expressway in Daikoku, Japan, and despite Honda’s best attempts at concealing the vehicle, it’s clear that the new HR-V will look nothing like the outgoing model.

Based on these spy photos (uploaded to Twitter by user Date_aHikarin), the third-generation model will look distinctly different from the outgoing model. Up front, it gets a slimmer pair of headlights, with uptick-style LED DRLs positioned along the entire upper section of the enclosure.

The six-pointed grille, on the other hand, features multiple thin horizontal bars, a design motif unseen on any recent Honda models. This may well be a pre-production sample, so take that with a pinch of salt. Interestingly, the intake cutout on the lower front bumper (shape-wise) looks nearly identical to the outgoing HR-V, and the trailing edges on the bonnet that lead toward the A-pillars are retained.

What is different this time around is the fact that the side mirrors are now mounted on the door. At the back, the LED tail lights appear to be slimmer, and the slight protrusion between them points toward the use of a thicker chrome trim. Other notable features include a shark fin antenna, plus a more rounded hatch opening.


Click to enlarge

Reports also suggest that the all-new Honda HR-V will grow in dimensions. Going by Honda’s most recent track record, one can expect this B-segment crossover to get a lengthier wheelbase, offering a roomier cabin with improved legroom and headroom – the latter afforded by the flatter roofline.

Here, the roofline no longer tapers as aggressively towards the back as the outgoing HR-V. As a result, the upper section of the rear windows are similarly flatter as well. However, the window apertures appear to be narrower, though, and the rear glass is more steeply raked.

Other than that, not much else is known about the new HR-V, nor the architecture with which it will be based upon. Expect some form of electrified powertrain to be offered alongside the regular internal combustion engine range, perhaps in the guise of the i-MMD hybrid system. So, what do you think of this?

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • RIP Honda on Sep 14, 2020 at 4:19 pm

    LOL, this car is dead even before being revealed

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 5
  • (Like) 2021 Honda HR-V.
    (Dislike) 2020 Proton X50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 30
    • Syerin on Sep 14, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      Yeah i respect that but your inner thought is amazingly loud that we can read it here even though your personal opinion doesn’t hold any weight on the internet.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
  • Crosz on Sep 14, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    From side view the rear look pretty ugly. They want more boot space for tat kind of design. Should design it much better than that.
    Toyota corolla cross takes all!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Hongda on Sep 14, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Ugly, looks like a cheap China rip-off design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Lancer hatchback rear with Hyundai front. Honda left their designers at home due to Covid19.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
  • Josh C on Sep 14, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    The front look abit like Hyundai Tuscon TL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • It looks like XR-V rear from 2014.

    https://paultan.org/2014/09/02/honda-xr-v-chinas-hr-vvezel-gets-looks/detail_pop_left_bottom/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Boss GLC on Sep 14, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    Where is the watermark? Aikkkk?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Haidi on Sep 14, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    This thing looks big.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Ksatria on Sep 15, 2020 at 12:38 am

    Hrv are great b segment crossovers, no doubt, but the pricing isn’t gonna cut it with lesser equipments when the X 50 & D55 arrives.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • It looks like a station wagon with that rear overhang. Let me guess: Ketam rear tailights.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Charlie Miller on Sep 25, 2020 at 3:00 am

    Wow, this new Honda HR-V is going to be key. It must come to Tomica! period.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Why so serious? Not like his rendering ever come true also…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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