We’ve just passed the half way mark of 2015 (where did the past six months go?) and no new car has created a bigger impact than the Honda HR-V. Since its local launch in February, the compact SUV has collected an astounding 18,027 bookings (up to June 30).
Of the over 18k names on Honda Malaysia’s books, the company will be happy to note that 64% are for the RM118,229 top-spec V (11,481 units), followed by 19% (3,449 units) for the RM108,027 mid-spec E and just 17% (3,097 units) for the RM98,690 base S. Prices are OTR with GST and insurance.
Honda Malaysia (HM) has managed to clear 7,374 units from its backlog of orders so far, and the current waiting list for an HR-V is four to five months depending on variant and colour. It stretched up to six months at one point, but HM is targeting a maximum of one to one and a half months by year end.
Those who follow the Malaysian car industry would know that the HR-V wasn’t the first of its kind to reach our shores, but while Peugeot and Ford hacked open a small B-segment SUV trail, Honda brought a bulldozer to the party.
Armed with a powerful brand and a convincing product, the company isn’t even considering the 2008 and EcoSport as classmates, but is instead targeting smaller C-segment SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Such audacity; but not without merit, as we explain in our review of the HR-V.
The 2015 Honda HR-V is, arguably, the car of the moment for Honda – on the local front and abroad, as well. Ever since its local launch in February 2015, the B-segment crossover has raked up a total of 15,000 bookings, resulting in a waiting list that stretches to a maximum of six months.
Apart from banking on the kudos of the ‘H’ badge, the HR-V is, perhaps, the largest congregation of must-have criteria when it comes to what a modern car buyer looks for in an everyday runabout. From its restrained, coupe-like appearances to its high-riding stature and acres of space inside, one would say that the HR-V’s success is well-deserved thanks to its (whisper it) perfect combination of said elements.
Honda is well aware of this and to further highlight its latest baby, the Japanese carmaker has released two rather interesting videos. The first, aptly titled ‘Give and Take’ shows a number of individuals who are unhappy with their physical looks. Thanks to the wonders of special effects, said individuals are seen modifying different parts of their faces with consequences in tow.
By decreasing the height of his nose, a man finds he now has large elephant-like ears. Another man replaces his slightly longer neck for a double chin while a woman trades her wild curls for a pair of over-the-top lips. As the video progresses, the individuals involved finally find a sweet spot for their looks but not without one flaw constantly appearing. Honda then cleverly introduces its HR-V, calling it a “crossover that gets it all right.”
The subsequent video, on the other hand, is sure to tug on the heartstrings of Honda enthusiasts everywhere. Said video shows a number of significant Honda models, from the CR-X hatch to the Prelude and the CR-X del Sol and the S2000, all driving into one another – symbolically representing all of the marque’s achievements as time goes on.
Finally, the HR-V rolls out of a Honda Element to join the latest addition to the marque’s line of “great ideas.” We get it, Honda. You’re on a roll now, no need to show off that much. Wanna’ know more about the HR-V, check out our info hub here or read our review to find out how it drives.
GALLERY: 2015 Honda HR-V driven in Langkawi, Malaysia
Confidence. That was the message I took away from the Honda HR-V media test drive event recently held in Langkawi.
Popularity breeds confidence. In four months, Honda Malaysia has racked up 15,000 bookings of the crossover, which has a waiting period of four to six months if you want one today. But the company wasn’t just touting numbers; everything radiated confidence, from Honda Malaysia’s choice of rival SUVs for the HR-V and their presence at the event, down to the mood of company personnel.
What’s behind the confidence? Real ability or pumped-up hype? We drive the HR-V on local roads for the first time to find out.
The sales juggernaut that is the 2015 Honda HR-V appears to be gaining even more momentum as we speak. Earlier on, we reported that everyone’s favourite B-segment SUV had chalked up a total of over 10,000 bookings since its local market debut in February 2015 with the waiting period extending to over four months.
Fortunately for Honda Malaysia (not so much if you’re on the waiting list), interest in the HR-V looks set to continue as bookings for said model now stand at 13,073 units in total, with 3,620 cars already registered. The waiting period has now stretched to a maximum of six months with Honda working on overtime to bring it down to four at the start of the third quarter of 2015.
By the end of the year, Honda is expected to shorten the waiting period further to a maximum time of one to one and a half months. Another thing to note is that among the three variants on sale in Malaysia, from the base Grade S to the mid-range Grade E and flagship Grade V, the latter is the one responsible for forming the bulk of the bookings so far.
Further cementing the Honda HR-V as the car of the moment is Honda Malaysia’s own admission that the response received is 45% better than anticipated by the company’s own expectations. In fact, global demand for the Honda HR-V has reached a level so high that vendors all over the world are struggling to keep up with the required capacity – so it’s not an issue solely faced by Honda Malaysia’s Pegoh plant.
For more information on the Honda HR-V, check out our info hub here. Want to know how it drives instead? You can read our review of it here or head on over to Carbase.my for a comprehensive, variant-by-variant breakdown of the HR-V.
GALLERY: Honda HR-V Grade V (with Modulo Sport Aero Package)
As of the first quarter of 2015, the company remains the top-selling non-national passenger carmaker, with 6,522 cars sold in January and 6,041 in February. In March, despite the uncertainty surrounding the impending GST, Honda Malaysia managed to shift over 9,000 cars – its highest monthly sales in history. Add the three months up and you get 21,563 units – 38% up from the same period last year.
“Moving forward in 2015, the forecasted TIV (total industry volume) is 697,000 units with a 4.6% growth. Our sales target for this year is 85,000 units and we have entered 2015 on a high note,” said MD and CEO Yoichiro Ueno.
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The highly-popular HR-V has collected over 10,000 bookings since its February launch, resulting in a long waiting period. Ueno extended “sincere apologies” on behalf of the brand, saying that production will be maximised to keep up with demand.
The HR-V and CR-V facelift are currently leading the SUV segment in Malaysia, while the City, Jazz, Civic facelift and Accord led their respective segments in the first two months of 2015.
Before the year is up, Honda Malaysia will be establishing 11 new 3S facilities and five new body and paint centres to add to the existing 75 3S facilities, four 1S showrooms and 12 body and paint centres. The company is also looking to strengthen its presence in East Malaysia and suburban areas by setting up a regional office, training facilities, a distribution centre and a parts warehouse.
You saw this one coming, didn’t you? One of the most highly-anticipated cars of the year, and the vehicle that’s expected to get the B-segment crossover ball rolling for real in Malaysia, needs no introduction. We’ve kept you in the loop for long enough. Now, see everything move and come to life before your very eyes!
That’s right, the Honda HR-V visited us in the studio last week (quite literally), so we leapt at the chance to provide you with an inside-and-out tour of the ‘Hip and smart Runabout Vehicle’ in this walk-around video.
This range-topping Grade V is laden with cool stuff, including striking double-projector LED headlamps, DRLs and a seven-inch touch-screen. We show you how many weekend bags we can fit under its tailgate and clever foldable tonneau cover.
We also discuss the unique bits – the triple air-con vents on the front passenger side and storage cave with USB, HDMI and 12V socket beneath the high centre console ‘bridge’ – are these more style than sense?
Its arrival, then, has been long and drawn out, but it’s finally here, unveiled at Symphony Lake Suite in KLCC this morning. As with its Jazz sibling, the HR-V is available in three variants – RM99,800 Grade S, RM108,800 Grade E and range-topping RM118,800 Grade V, all prices being on-the-road with insurance, inclusive of a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty as well as six times free service up to 100,000 km.
Previewed by the 2013 Urban SUV Concept, the Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle (or Hip and Smart Runabout Vehicle, as it’s now referred to) aims to combine the personal feel of a coupe, the utility of an MPV and the toughness of an SUV. The styling certainly echoes that, mixing rugged plastic body cladding, a distinctive “Solid Wing Face” front fascia, a steeply rising character line and hidden rear door handles.
The theme continues inside with an SUV-like tall driving position, a high hip point that aids entry and egress and a sports car-esque tall transmission tunnel. Similar to top-spec Jazz and City models, soft-touch plastics with faux stitching line the cabin, providing a more upscale look and feel. One feature set to polarise opinion is the trio of air vents ahead of the front passenger, which is claimed to provide optimum air flow around the interior (unlike the City, there are no rear air vents).
The Jazz’s centre fuel tank layout is retained, enabling the fitment of the rear Ultra Seats – aside from folding flat, they can also tip up to provide space for taller objects. Other nice touches include an instrument cluster with seven customisable lighting colours, an electronic parking brake that frees up space for two cupholders on the centre console, as well as Auto Brake Hold which keeps the car stationary at a stop when engaged – a boon at traffic lights and in jams.
Under the bonnet, all models get the Civic’s 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC four-pot, making 142 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,300 rpm. Sending the power to the front wheels is G-Design Shift CVT – the transmission uses a torque converter for better response off the line, endowing the HR-V with step-off acceleration that is said to be quicker than the 2.0 litre CR-V. A fuel-saving ECON Mode also comes as standard.
In terms of equipment, all HR-Vs come equipped with the same 16-inch wheels, auto headlights, LED tail lights, front and rear fog lights and a shark fin antenna. E variants get side mirror-mounted indicators, while only the top-spec V receives twin-projector LED headlights and chrome door handles.
Inside, the mid-range E adds keyless entry, push-button start, steering wheel audio controls and touch-panel single-zone automatic air-conditioning, while the V tacks on cruise control, variable interval adjustment for the intermittent front wipers, semi-leather upholstery that replaces full fabric on the other two models, leather-lined door cards, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob as well as illuminated vanity mirrors.
Different head units for all three variants, too – a standard double-DIN radio and CD player for Grade S, a Monitor Audio infotainment system with a five-inch display for Grade E and a seven-inch touchscreen Display Audio infotainment system with voice control, HDMI connectivity and a multi-angle (wide, normal and top) rear-view camera for Grade V. Four speakers are standard for the lower two models, six on the V.
Safety-wise, the HR-V comes standard with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), hill-hold assist and rear Isofix child seat anchors. V-spec models get additional side and curtain airbags for a total of six airbags.
Lastly, the traditional Honda colours of Taffeta White, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl are joined by a new Ruse Black Metallic hue, which glows purple in sunlight. As is usual for a Honda, the HR-V is offered with two Utility packages and two Modulo styling kits, starting from RM1,550. The company is bullish with sales of the new B-segment SUV, setting a monthly target of 700 units.
Want to know what it’s like to drive? Read our review here. For full details regarding the specifications, equipment and option packs for the 2015 Honda HR-V, head over to CarBase.my.
Honda HR-V Grade V
Honda HR-V Grade V (with Modulo Sport Aero Package)
Honda HR-V Grade E
Honda HR-V Grade S (with Modulo Tough Advance Package)
Everyone’s into small SUVs/crossovers now. In developing nations, they’re seen as well-suited to the increasingly congested urban environment, while in more developed markets, they’re fast becoming wheeled statements of style and individuality. A bodystyle loved the world over? At present, it seems very much so.
For Acura to even think about introducing a small SUV in big car-lovin’ America is surely testament to the universality of the segment. According to a report by WardsAuto, Acura sold almost twice as many crossovers in 2014 than it did cars, and is considering an Acura-badged version of the Honda HR-V to sit below the RDX, currently its smallest high-rider.
American Honda executive VP John Mendel told the publication that such a vehicle is “potentially the only place you could go,” in reference to looking for “white space” in the brand’s line-up to further satisfy the market’s growing thirst for crossovers.
Well, what d’ya know – merely two days after driving the new 2015 Honda HR-V in Thailand, yours truly stumbled upon several units of the new B-segment crossover packed up on a trailer on Jalan Jelatek, practically unattended.
We’ve gone through the top-of-the-range Grade V before, but this is the first time we’re also seeing the lower-end E and S models. While the poor lighting conditions made it impossible to grab a clear shot of the interior, each model was able to be fairly thoroughly scrutinised, providing a detailed look at the different equipment levels.
For a start, all variants will feature the same 16-inch wheels, front fog lights, LED tail lights, a shark fin antenna, soft-touch plastic interior trim with faux stitching, an electronic parking brake, auto brake hold and stability control.
Only the V variant gets the twin-projector LED headlights – the S and E models make do with regular halogen reflectors. Additionally, the base S also loses out on LED door mirror indicators, utilising fender-mounted repeaters instead.
Inside, the bottom two grades don’t get cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel or leather-lined upper door cards (replaced with fabric trim), all of which are reserved for Grade V. Dropping down to S trim also takes away steering wheel-mounted audio controls and touch panel automatic air conditioning – you get manual knobs for the latter instead.
The audio system in each model is also different – Grade V gets a seven-inch touchscreen Display Audio infotainment system, Grade E receives a smaller 5.1-inch system, while Grade S is given a regular double-DIN radio and CD/MP3 player. Safety-wise, while the V is confirmed to get six airbags, we’re expecting the lesser models to drop the count to two.
Standard on every HR-V is the Civic‘s 1.8 litre R18A i-VTEC four-pot mated to a G-Design Shift CVT and front-wheel drive, churning out somewhere around the 141 PS and 172 Nm of torque quoted for the Thai-market models.
Sometimes, it’s not enough to be the first in the segment. Time and time again we see the “next big thing” or “hip new product” fall flat on its face, leaving the door wide open for a better, more stylish or just plain cheaper competitor to swoop in and take the mantle.
The B-segment crossover is often touted as the solution to the urban commuter conundrum; a relatively affordable tall-riding small hatchback with tough SUV looks, a commanding driving position and unrivalled manoeuvrability.
Over here, however, the class just hasn’t taken off the way we were expecting – the first two models, the Peugeot 2008 and the Ford EcoSport (the modern progenitor of the segment, the Nissan Juke, isn’t offered here), seem to have failed to make inroads into buyers’ minds and wallets. Maybe this isn’t the panacea we were looking for after all. Or perhaps we’re just waiting for the right car to crack into the market.
That’s where the new 2015 Honda HR-V comes in. We’ve been truly surprised by the overwhelming interest in the new contender, and judging by the provisional specifications, equipment and price, it seems the company has done its homework in ascertaining what people want. But is it actually worth all this incredible hype? That’s why we headed to Chiang Mai, to find out.
This took us a bit by surprise. Honda Malaysia has been previewing its upcoming B-segment crossover, the Honda HR-V, through a series of roadshows since last week. At Paradigm Mall today, however the company has chosen to display the car without any glass barriers, completely exposing the exterior and interior for everyone to see for the first time.
We headed over to get a closer look at the HR-V, shown here in range-topping V specification that slots above the S and E models. On this variant, the pert, attractive styling has been classed-up with LED twin projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, fog lights and LED combination tail lights.
Malaysian models get 16-inch wheels, rather than the 17’s on offer in Thailand – we also miss out on the latter’s fancier tube-type tail lights.
Inside, the Grade V HR-V gets the now-familiar touch-panel auto air-conditioning and HDMI-compatible seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers, as seen on its City and Jazz siblings, but the little SUV finally receives a multi-angle rear view camera. We’re expecting the base S variant to get a smaller five-inch touchscreen system and four speakers, as seen on the Thai-market S models.
Also equipped on this car are keyless entry and push-button start, auto brake hold, an electronic parking brake, ECON mode and cruise control – the latter is also unavailable on the City and Jazz.
Safety-wise, the V spec gets a full complement of six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), hill start assist, Isofix child seat anchors and emergency stop signal, but misses out on the Australian market‘s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). Lesser models should feature two airbags, like on Thai models.
No matter which variant you punt for, you’ll find a 1.8 litre i-VTEC four-pot under the bonnet, connected to a G-Design Shift CVT that sends power to the front wheels. This is the same engine and transmission combo as in Thailand, so although official output figures have been released just yet, they shouldn’t stray too far from the 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,300 rpm quoted in the Land of Smiles.
Honda Malaysia has yet to disclose pricing information on the Honda HR-V, either, but we’ve seen ads on oto.my listing a price of RM120k for the top-spec V. This puts the car right in contention with the RM119,888 Peugeot 2008, and should undercut the also-incoming Mazda CX-3, the price of which is speculated to hover around the RM130k mark.
The Paradigm Mall leg of the ongoing roadshow (which runs until January 18) marks the end of the HR-V’s presence in the Klang Valley – it is also currently being shown at the KSL Mall in Johor Bahru, and the circus will next move to Village Mall in Sungai Petani from January 23-25.
Still craving for more Honda HR-V-related updates? Good, because an ad has just materialised on our sister classified site oto.my, stating the indicated price for the range-topping Grade V variant – a nice round figure of RM120,000. Order books for the Honda HR-V are already open ahead of its launch in February.
For those interested in getting a closer look, head over to Mid Valley Megamall as the ongoing HR-V roadshow sees the Grade V variant being paraded. Only one engine option is available locally – a 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC unit that pumps out 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,300 rpm, paired to a CVT gearbox.
Do note that the aforementioned power figures are the ones found on the Thai- and Australian-spec 1.8 HR-V. As for onboard toys, the Grade V HR-V comes with LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED rear combination lamps and 16-inch wheels as opposed to its Thai counterpart.
On the inside, the Grade V variant sports combination leather seats, a seven-inch touchscreen head unit with reverse camera, push-start ignition and an electric parking brake. Safety measures include six airbags, hill start assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), emergency stop signal and Isofix mount points.
Unfortunately, indicative pricing for the entry-level Grade S and mid-spec Grade E are still anyone’s guess. Judging by Honda Malaysia’s pattern of pricing its Jazz and City models and its corresponding grade levels, one could speculate that the cheapest HR-V could cost around RM15k less than the Grade V variant.
Honda HR-V Grade V in Mid Valley Megamall
Honda HR-V at 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo
Honda Malaysia has announced that the order books have opened for the new Honda HR-V ahead of its official launch here in February. The B-segment SUV – which made its ASEAN debut at the IIMS in September last year – is also being teased in the metal via a series of roadshows, the first of which kicks off today; the photos here are from the one happening at Mid Valley Megamall.
Initial specifications of the Malaysian-spec HR-V have also come about – we’ll be getting three grades, the entry-level S, E and range-topping V. All will be equipped with a 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC unit, paired with a CVT transmission.
No power output numbers have yet been mentioned, but it shouldn’t veer very far away from that found on the Thai-market – and Australian-spec – HR-V, which is 141 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, similar to the numbers seen on the Civic 1.8.
In terms of features and equipment, the provisional list for the V grade – which is the only trim level on display at the roadshow – includes LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED rear combi lights, keyless smart entry with push-start ignition, electric parking brake, auto brake hold and cruise control.
The variant also features a seven-inch touchscreen head unit that the higher-end Thai versions get (the Thai S grade comes with a five-inch touchscreen, so it’s likely that our S grade will have the same), a multi-angle rear-view camera as well as a touch-panel auto air-conditioning system.
As for connections, there’s Bluetooth, two USB ports (one in the S) and an HDMI port plus six speakers for the audio system for both E and V grades – the entry-level variant, meanwhile, should come with four speakers, the same number as seen on the Thai-spec S.
One thing we won’t be getting are the two 17-inch wheels seen in the Thai models – the Malaysian HR-V will ride on 16-inch alloys, presumably identical to that on the base-line VTi that will be sold in Australia. As for upholstery trim, combi leather is listed, essentially a mix of leather and fabric for the seat wraps.
As for safety kit, the list reads as such: ABS, EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), hill start assist, emergency stop signal and Isofix mount points. It’s known that the V grade will come with six airbags (front, side curtain and side). In Thailand, the S and E variants feature two airbags, a number unlikely to be changed here.
No indicative pricing for the HR-V as yet – all that’s happening at the moment is that order taking for the SUV has begun, and bookings can be made at all 77 Honda dealerships nationwide. As for catching the vehicle in the metal, you’ll be able to do so at the following roadshows:
The Honda HR-V, which is set to make its debut in Malaysia sometime early next year, has already been sighted undergoing a TVC shoot in Kuala Lumpur. Details and specifications for the local variants of the B-segment offering remain unknown, but we do know that Malaysia will get a single engined form, the 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC, as seen in the Thai-market examples.
In terms of equipment and features, the Thai versions provide a rough sketch of what to expect, and now there’s another comparative view, provided by the Australian-market model – provisional specs have been announced for its market versions of the compact SUV, which will be launched there in February.
Four variants will be available, three of which will be the base VTi, midrange VTi-S and range-topping VTi-L, corresponding to the S, E and EL variants sold in Thailand. Australia will also get a solitary 1.8 litre choice, the 141 PS and 172 Nm output mirroring that of the Thai car.
The base VTi will come with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lamps, halogen headlights with bulb-type daytime running lights and single-zone climate control air-conditioning. It will also get the seven-inch touchscreen head unit that higher-end Thai versions get (the Thai S grade comes with a five-inch touchscreen) as well as a three-mode multi-angle reverse camera.
The VTi-S adds smart entry with push start (available on the base S in Thailand), LED auto headlights with LED DRLs, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails and upsizes the wheels to 17-inch units. It also adds on LaneWatch blind spot monitoring and a City-Brake Active system.
As for the VTi-L, it gets paddle shifters, leather seats, a rear centre armrest, panoramic sunroof and dual-zone air-conditioning on top of what’s found on the VTi-S.
The really interesting bit concerns the fourth variant that will be sold in Australia, which is a VTi-L fitted with an optional factory-fitted Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).
The variant adds Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and High-beam Support System (HSS) to the mix – equipment that hasn’t been mentioned on any of the ASEAN-spec vehicles. It’s highly unlikely that Malaysian vehicles will get the system, which is also found on higher-spec North American versions.
Honda HR-V at 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo
Not very long before the Honda HR-V makes its Malaysian market debut – word on the vine is that the much-anticipated Jazz-based B-segment crossover is due to be launched in Q1 2015, and its appearance in downtown Kuala Lumpur, at Sentul East, for a TV commercial shoot is a good indicator that it’s all getting very close now.
The vehicle was spotted by reader Choo Kok Foong, who came upon the shoot in progress. The HR-V was being filmed making a high speed cornering run around an intersection, with a number of takes made. The clip by Choo caught the vehicle on its last run, being reversed into position.
In the republic, the HR-V will be available in two engine forms, a 120 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre from the City and Jazz, and a 1.8 litre pushing 139 PS and 169 Nm, both paired with a CVT automatic gearbox (a five-speed manual is also available for the 1.5 litre). Prices start from 240 million rupiah (RM67,500) for the base 1.5.
