Honda HR-V: Successor will only be available as a hybrid

The new Honda HR-V is ready to go on sale at the end of the year. Visually, the compact crossover boasts more dynamic looks, and a modern hybrid powers the vehicle under the hood.

This article is part of the special topic Electromobility for trades and medium-sized businesses

For six years the Honda HR-V on the market. A long time, so the successor will be arriving this fall. It's great: While other manufacturers are making their vehicles ever larger, the third generation only minimally increased in dimensionsHonda has not yet released any precise details, but we assume that the HR-V will only grow slightly in length. So far, the old model a good 4,30 metersTherefore, the HR-V remains a compact crossover, a mix of robust SUV paired with a coupé-like roofline.

The The 2022 HR-V has finally abandoned the baroque look of its predecessor and looks considerably more modern. The front end is dominated by the grille, which is always painted in the body color. Honda has also enlarged the air intakes underneath, while the LED headlights are quite narrow. The two light elements are connected with a thin chrome bar. Smooth and straightforward, the design presents on the sides and rear. There are also LED taillights, which are connected by a slim strip of lights. The wide tailgate opens and closes electrically on the higher trim levels, elegantly via a suggested foot kick under the bumper.

More space inside and modern assistants

The new multimedia system is designed to be easy to use. Photo: © Honda

The HR-V presents itself completely newOnly the rear door handles have been retained by Honda from its predecessor, and are still located above the C-pillar. And since the small crossover dispenses with playful creases and edges, it appears overall harmonious. When looking at the interior, you can see that the spacious space of the predecessor further improved The front row is airy, and rear passengers enjoy 35 millimeters more knee room. The Magic Seats, adopted from the previous HR-V, also provide a variable interior in the new model, and After folding down the rear seats, a completely flat loading floor is createdHowever, Honda has not yet revealed how many liters of space the luggage compartment will hold.

However, it is already clear that the driver was modern cockpit is received. The Multimedia system with its nine-inch touchscreen has been completely redesigned and is designed to be much easier to use thanks to a logical menu structure. Smartphones can now wirelessly integrated into the infotainment system via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi In addition, most apps in the HR-V can now be updated over-the-air.

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Honda has also upgraded its driver assistance systems. Collision warning system with a high-resolution wide-angle camera more precisely and detects crossing vehicles and pedestrians even at night. adaptive cruise control It also operates more sensitively during overtaking maneuvers and allows the HR-V to accelerate more quickly when pulling out. Also completely new for the small Japanese car is the Blind Spot Assistant, which warns the driver of approaching vehicles via a symbol in the exterior mirror and also provides helpful assistance when reversing out of a parking space. A further safety benefit is the new hill descent control for the HR-V, which can be activated on slippery slopes from a speed of three km/h.

Only as a full hybrid

The new Honda HR-V features a straightforward design language. Photo: © Honda

Honda had already announced no new model without electrification to market. Therefore, the Japanese company is foregoing conventional engines for the HR-V. A pure electric vehicle is not currently planned either; instead, a full hybrid will serve as the sole powertrain for the crossover SUV. 1,5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine is based on the Jazz and is actively supported by two electric motors. System power is 131 hp for the HR-V, the Japanese manufacturer specifies maximum torque as 253 Nm at 4.500 rpm. The so-called e:HEV system includes three drive modes that automatically adapt to the conditions. Therefore, the HR-V mostly uses its electric motors for acceleration, while the gasoline engine only kicks in at higher speeds. In addition, the driver has three additional Driving modes from Eco to Normal to Sport available. If the driver then shifts the selector lever to position "B," the Honda recuperates even more intensively to recover energy and save fuel.

The The degree of recuperation can also be adjusted via the steering wheel pedals and varies even up to one-pedal driving. Honda has not yet provided any information on the exact fuel consumption, pointing to the market launch at the end of the year. The same applies to the price. The current HR-V currently starts at €21990, but its more sophisticated hybrid successor is likely to be somewhat more expensive.