New Honda HR-V – Completely new exterior with e:HEV hybrid only drivelines

Honda has done a 180 and completely reshaped the HR-V with simpler and more integrated lines. The front grille is now molded into the rest of the body and in general, the new HR-V looks softer than the generation it replaces. Not a bad thing, but maybe not for everyone.  Function and beauty are the leading words. Honda claims that the HR-V will have class leading space and improved comfort, and follows Hondas aim to electrify all of their standard models by 2022.

With aims to create an SUV experience in the HR-V dimensions. With a sloping rear it seems that SUVs and crossovers are becoming more sedan and coupe inspired. It would not be impossible to see that the classic body shapes of sedans and estates together with crossovers and SUVs morph into somewhere in between.

The hybrid driveline is packaged so that it takes up as little space as possible in the interior. Less is more with some hints from the Honda E, such as the horizontal air vents. From the pictures, it seems that the gauge cluster is analog. If this is model or option dependent, I don’t know. Time will tell, but it looks a bit too stringent compared to the newly released Nissan Qashqai.

 The HR-V will be available in Europe in the latter part of 2021 with prices and engine specs coming in a couple of months.