The very popular Honda HR-V has been around for almost 6 years now and it is starting to look a little dated against its immediate rivals who have been selling better than expected.
Now we hear news that there is an all new model in the works. Stated to be in launching sometime next year, it is high time for a refresh of this segment leader that debuted in February 2015 at a selling price from RM99,800.
The literal biggest news about this next generation Japanese compact SUV is that it won’t be very compact anymore. Reports point to the HR-V growing in size, gaining an extra 10 cm in length from the current generation to 4.4 metres. Extra interior space is always welcome in an SUV, however some industrial insiders point to another smaller current HR-V sized compact SUV slotting in below this new larger model. Just so Honda can corner the local crossover market even more than the 79% share it achieved with the current HR-V.
An early unofficial rendering of the all-new HR-V points to a chunkier and masculine design compared to the outgoing model. A larger, more upright front grille with a chrome bar that runs across the length of the front dominates the front end design. That chrome strip is further integrated into the new LED headlights, with the LED daytime running lights remains separate from the headlights. A feature similar to what is seen on the current generation compact SUV.
The sides of the new model retains a similar side profile to the outgoing one, albeit continuing the muscular theme from the front. This is new butch look is possible thanks to prominent creases and lines, especially on the waistline of the vehicle. Two-tone paintwork disguises the added size of the new crossover, while new presumably decorative side intakes helps to visually shrink the SUV by breaking up the side profile. New alloy wheel designs are also to be expected on this new generation HR-V, however they might not be quite as big in reality as the rendering makes it out to be.
Plastic body mouldings all around the HR-V gives it the crossover look. It is most noticeable at the rear bumper where the black moulding houses the rear fog lights. Speaking of the rear, the prominent chrome bar design continues here. Flanked by LED taillights that achieve a more menacing rear end design compared to the current model. A rear roof spoiler and a shark-fin antenna rounds off the rear end design.
To some the design of the next-gen HR-V might seem familiar, that is because this rendering lifts many design cues from the face-lifted Chinese-market only Honda UR-V.
As for the mechanicals of this compact crossover, it is expected that the new HR-V will sit on the new Honda Global Platform. In other words, the new HR-V will continue the tradition of sharing its platform with the Honda City and Jazz of the same generation. Thus propulsion wise, the next generation HR-V is expected to come with a range of engines plucked from the next-gen Jazz. These engines may include a 1.0 litre turbo petrol and ranging to a 1.5 litre hybrid with a pair of electric motors front and rear, thus enabling four-wheel drive capability on this crossover. The hybrid power plant has a high chance of arriving on Malaysian shoes as Malaysia is the only market to receive the current generation HR-V Hybrid outside of its home market of Japan.
No interior details and equipment list for this next-generation car just yet. However, it is safe to assume that the safety features on offer in this crossover should likely be the same as those in the upcoming Honda Jazz hatchback. More information should be released when we get closer to the launch date of supposedly May 2021.
Judging by the popularity of the current HR-V with 87,000 units shifted by Honda Malaysia since its launch 5 years ago, this just might be another hit for the Japanese car maker here in Malaysia.
Research and Text by Joshua Chin
