Hybrid focus for new Honda HR-V, confirmed by early 2022
Honda has taken the wraps off the all-new HR-V and confirmed it will be sold in Australia from late 2021.
To be offered only with a petrol-electric drivetrain in Europe, the HR-V is set to represent a local return to hybrid propulsion for Honda, one of the pioneers of the fuel-saving technology.
Honda was the first brand in Australia to sell a hybrid in Australia when it launched the Insight in 2001, beating rival Toyota by months.
It had various hybrids but partly walked away from the technology in 2020 when it discontinued the hybrid NSX supercar that it only sold nine examples of in Australia over five years.
Honda only sells the Accord hybrid now, a car that sells in very low volumes.
While Europe is only offering a hybrid version of the HR-V – part of the plan to meet tougher emissions standards – in Japan it will be offered with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder.
Honda has confirmed the HR-V (known as the Vezel in Japan) will be sold in Australia and it’s all but guaranteed the hybrid version will be front and centre, with arrivals slated for late 2021 or early 2022.
“We were thrilled to see the next-generation HR-V officially unveiled today as part of the world premiere online event,” said a Honda Australia spokesperson.
“The current HR-V continues to be one of the most popular and successful models in the Honda range, so we’re looking forward to the new model joining the line-up in Australia over the next 12 months. We will be able to share more details about the all-new HR-V for our market as we get closer to the local launch.”
The new HR-V has a more formal SUV shape with cleaner lines.
Honda says more vertical sides are designed to maximise room inside and that the HR-V has “class-leading interior space”.
The imminent arrival of the all-new HR-V represents a significant change for Honda and the small SUV segment it competes in; having petrol-electric hybrid tech will test the waters in a market segment that is very sensitive to price.
But Toyota has proven there is strong demand for hybrids – if the pricing is right.
Toyota’s Yaris Cross Hybrid is the most affordable petrol-electric SUV on the market while the RAV4 Hybrid is the most popular hybrid on the market, with petrol-electric versions making up 68.5 percent of the 26,400 RAV4s sold in 2020.
Kia is also trying to muscle in on the hybrid SUV space with its upcoming Niro Hybrid.
Honda hasn’t detailed the hybrid drivetrain for the new HR-V – the technology is marketed as e:HEV – but expect it to offer significant fuel savings. Speculation suggests it could include a version of the familiar 1.5-litre four-cylinder along with an electric motor.
The new HR-V will also get a more modern interior incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s also a new air diffusion system designed to send an air curtain from the front vents alongside and above the passengers.
The HR-V also maintains its clever “magic seats” that make for great load flexibility.
As for pricing, it’s yet to be determined, although it’s unlikely to stray far from the $25,990-$36,240 range of the current car.
However, whereas previously Honda sold its cars through dealers, the brand is set for a big change in July 2021. Some dealers will close and Honda will instead set up an “agency model” whereby prices are fixed and people buy the cars from head office then have it delivered by one of the agents (that will look a lot like a dealership).
That agency model will take the haggling out of buying a new Honda, including the new HR-V.
