Here it is, everyone – the new Honda HR-V has finally been revealed! Replacing its hugely successful predecessor, the third-generation model has a lot riding on its shoulders, but that hasn’t stopped Honda from throwing the entire kitchen sink at the redesign.
Notably, the exterior styling is very different from the swooping organic look of the outgoing model. The new car is cleaner and more angular, with the characteristic upwards side slash of the current car replaced by a straight line connecting the head- and taillights. The front end also loses the “Solid Wing Face” grille bar.
Despite this, the basic front graphic has been retained, with upswept LED headlights (incorporating eyebrow-like daytime running lights, joined together by a slim chrome strip) connected to a large six-point grille, now finished in body colour to “enhance the sense of unity with the body.” The rear end sports trendy full-width taillights, with the number plate recess positioned further down.
Honda has also made the roofline more coupé-like by increasing the rear windscreen rake. Even so, the company is claiming to have retained rear-seat roominess, despite the unchanged dimensions. The trademark hidden rear door handles have been retained, while in Japan (where the car is sold as the Vezel), a Play variant is available that adds blue, red and white accents and a contrasting silver or black roof.
Inside, the horizontal theme continues with a slim, minimalist dashboard and a full-width air vent design. The corner outlets can be set to diffuse the airflow and come with unusually chunky control knobs. The tall bridge-like centre console of the outgoing model has also been ditched in favour of a more conventional transmission tunnel, with a unique chrome strip that wraps around the driver’s knee area.
Details are mostly under wraps but we can see that the HR-V will get the latest Honda Connect infotainment system found in the new Jazz and City, which come with nine- and eight-inch touchscreens respectively. Unlike the Jazz, however, the car will continue to feature analogue instruments.
Several new connectivity features have also been added as part of the Honda Total Care Premium package in Japan, such as a Honda-first in-car WiFi hotspot, an app centre, automatic map updates and a smartphone digital key function. Other new items include a larger (non-opening) panoramic roof with solar-attenuating glass, a nine-speaker sound system, rear air-conditioning vents and a hands-free powered tailgate.
In Japan, at least, the HR-V will continue to be offered with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. These include autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition, all of which have been improved in terms of performance; the adaptive cruise control also now features a stop and go function. A multi-view camera system and blind spot monitoring are being offered for the first time, the latter appearing to augment rather than replace the LaneWatch camera.
Japanese-market models will be available with the same 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine and CVT as before, although output figures have yet to be released. Currently, the mill produces 129 PS at 6,600 rpm and 153 Nm at 4,600 rpm in direct-injected form; expect those numbers to be carried over.
As previously reported, the HR-V will also gain the e:HEV hybrid powertrain found in the Jazz and City, which uses an electric motor to do most of the driving and a petrol engine to charge the battery; the latter also provides motive power at higher speeds.
Again, Honda has declined from providing stats, but the version in the Jazz and City utilises a 109 PS/253 Nm electric motor and 98 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle engine to deliver a total output of 126 PS. Given that the HR-V is expected to be a little bit heavier, it could derive its setup from the larger Insight, which gets a 131 PS/267 Nm motor and a 108 PS/134 Nm engine to make a combined 151 PS. Real-time all-wheel drive will be available as an option in Japan, including on the e:HEV model.
More information regarding the new Honda HR-V will be revealed when the car goes on sale in Japan this April. For now, what do you guys think – do you like what you guys see here, or would you prefer to see what the Americans (who will receive a different version) will get? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: 2021 Honda HR-V
GALLERY: 2021 Honda HR-V with Urban Style package
GALLERY: 2021 Honda HR-V with Casual Style package
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the steering wheel is similar to jazz japan and europe, confirming that this HR-V version is also for japan & europe. the rest of the world (ours included) will get the 2nd version of HR-V design.
If this yuppie SUV price go more expensive again, many will turn to sugar daddy for easy money.
I wonder if Honda finally deploying new_platform with this HRV… Honestly, they spent effort on engine, gearbox but left out on the platforms. Many Honda cars riding on decade+ old structure. I tired TNGA corolla(despite old engine), surprisingly ride better than my Civic
Buy Honda get Mazda..
look at 1st sight, rear exactly like Mazda3, front CX-5/Hyundai Tucson / :D
This model is said to be not suitable for US market, so the get different version.
To me this model also not suitable for Malaysian Market, so expect Civic Cross soon just like City Hatchback and Corolla Cross
(Like) 2021 Honda HR-V
(Dislike) Proton X50 Flagship
(Like) X50
(Dislike) HRV
(like) X50 n HRV
Nice.
Won’t be surprised if it doesn’t end up here, due to ‘radical changes’ like the new Jazz.
Bcoz of p1 and p2, and most malaysian with 2nd hand value mentality who basically killed off our car market.
Interior looks good
The exterior is wayy better than the patent drawings
Are you blind?
yeah, i mean , the patent drawings doesn’t give much away.
but once i’ve seen the car, with its paint job, light reflections etc, it looks good.
Interior wise its better than corolla cross BUT, exteriorly, the toyota is more pleasing to the eye
Perghh, dual zone climate control with individual indirect blower option,
Interior dashboard design is a cut above corolla cross
Honda has good interior design compare with T brand… especially head-unit, not like T brand using 3rd party…
Not really. Toyota interior design also good interior bro.
nope.. now a days T interior design need a lot improvement!
The other way round
Not really? You should look at T interior design properly. At least they improved than previous gen
Agree with you. T brand interior is too dull. Even the Harrier one is boring.
LED TV (H) versus TV box (T)…which one better?
Love the design.
Clean lines.
Looks simple and classy.
The designer & the chief that keep carry on with the ‘Solid Wing Face grille huge bar’ – either decommissioned or finally giveup and follow the current trend by the korean & mazda.
Hyundai wannabe
Nice hyundai
Hahahaa This puts X50 to shame. Shows everyone how outdated that rebadge car looks compared to something modern like this. GGWP Honda!
So new hrv also looks like korean too
Launch as RKM150K price tag. Time to say Goodbye to HRV also :p
Gg that front end
is that just me or this new HR-V looks quite similar as the new Corolla Cross?
Looks like a Volkswagen. Yuck.
Tucson? Cx5? Mx30? Harrier?
good but x50 better
Well….to be frank I preferred the rear new design look cool but the front grille with body lines color doesn’t suit the car styles. It should have diamond chrome with chrome bold line frame with bigger H emblem to make to car look more sportier. I really felt that the current body color front grille looks awful and lack of beauty. I hope Honda can change the design of the front grille looks more masculine and attractive. The new front LED lights doesn’t look great compare with previous Civic , CRV or HRV comes with a row of LED lights seem more gorgeous. If Honda did read this feedback hope you can consider to redesign the front grille.
Hopefully it arrives intact with all the features rather than butchered like Bermaz’s Mazda CX-5. Looking forward to HRV in Malaysia
Decades ago, Hyundai cars look very much like a Honda. Now Honda cars look very much like a Hyundai.