Honda Motor Company of Japan has debuted the latest generation of their extremely popular crossover SUV HR-V in Malaysia. The new HR-V has been released for the 2022 model year and will be available at business dealerships starting next month.
Honda will offer numerous drivetrain options for the new HR-V, including a selection of internal combustion engines and a hybrid system for the top-of-the-line 1.5L eHEV RS model. This hybrid technology will be the same as that found in India’s new Honda City eHEV hybrid.
In terms of the 2022 HR-V changes, the new SUV removes the old external aesthetic in favour of a fresh, more modern, and futuristic-looking appearance. The vehicle’s front end gets a new body-colored multi-slated grille that resembles an EV automobile. It also receives new LED headlights with DRLs, a mesh lower bumper, and a silver skid plate. Moving on to the side, the vehicle appears to be a coupe SUV. On the back, there are freshly designed LED tail lights, a fully revised bumper, and a more noticeable skid plate.
Other new HR-V features include Honda Sensing, an 8-inch touchscreen in the centre, and automated LED headlights, which will be standard on the 2022 model.
The RS offers dual-zone air conditioning, but the Grade S, E, and V trim only have single-zone cooling. Rear AC vents are also standard on all models. There are two different wheel choices. While the higher-spec V and RS trims feature 18-inch wheels, the lower-spec S and E trims have 17-inch alloy wheels.
The hybrid Honda HR-V features Honda’s i-MMD technology, which is presently employed in the hybrid City eHEV car offered in India. A 1.5 litre normally aspirated Atkinson cycle engine combined with two motors produces 131 PS and 253 Nm of torque. The car also offers an extra 1.5-litre engine option for the lower models. According to rumours, the new Honda HR-V might possibly make its debut on the Indian subcontinent, and if priced competitively, it could help turn the Japanese carmaker’s Indian subsidiary’s fortunes around.
In other Honda news, a test mule of the new crossover from the company has been spotted and it seems to have the size of the WR-V but looks very different. From the spy images, it has been observed that the front is redesigned if its a WR-V facelift test mule. It gets a split headlamp design with an LED strip above and the main headlamp unit below. There is a new grille but features a similar chrome element as on the current WR-V. The faux skid plate looks very similar to the current WR-V. Moreover, on the side, there were the same 16-inch alloy wheels, outside rearview mirrors with turn indicators and body cladding. The silhouette of the test mule also seems just like the WR-V. A portion of the tail lamp also looked very similar to the WR-V.