Revealed to the world just two months ago, drivetrain details of the upcoming 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV hybrid small SUV have also been detailed ahead of an early 2022 Australian launch. Sitting on the same new platform as the fourth-generation Honda Jazz hatchback – which won’t be sold in Australia for the time being – the new HR-V is larger than its predecessor, as well as more feature-packed, more technologically advanced and unlike before, available with a hybrid drivetrain outside its home market of Japan.
Centre to the 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV is a new hybrid drivetrain that combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. Total combined output is 96kW of power and 253Nm of torque – around 70Nm more than the 1.8-litre non-hybrid engine in the current car. The HR-V can be had as either front- or all-wheel drive in Japan but will be available solely with a CVT automatic gearbox. This new hybrid drivetrain allows the new HR-V to use from just 4.0L/100km combined on the stricter WLTP fuel consumption cycle – for the Japanese model, anyway.
Dimensionally, the 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV measures 4,330mm long, 1,790mm wide, 1,590mm tall and features a 1,590mm long wheelbase – this makes it 18mm shorter, 18mm wider, 15mm less tall and with an identical wheelbase to the old-generation car. Yet because of the new platform, Honda says that more interior space has been unlocked – there’s 35mm more rear legroom, for example. Boot space details are yet to be announced, though the company’s clever Magic Seats that fold completely flat or vertically are standard equipment, which will help the HR-V continue to offer some of the most practicality in the small SUV segment.
There is a range of newly available equipment for the 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV, including dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, rear air vents, rear USB charging ports, a 10-speaker sound system, selectable drive modes, all-LED lighting, an electric tailgate with kick-to-open functionality, a heated steering wheel, a dual-pane panoramic roof, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display.
The range of available safety technologies is far wider than the current model – especially the Australian-spec HR-V – with features such as auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, reverse auto braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, a 360-degree parking camera and front and rear parking sensors available in Japan. We’re hoping the full list makes it to Australian-spec cars.
While Honda has revealed the details regarding the HR-V’s hybrid drivetrain, it’s not yet known if a conventional petrol engine will be offered with the car when it launches next year. Japanese-spec cars are also available with a 1.5-litre petrol non-hybrid drivetrain, though that’s likely not powerful enough for Australian consumers. We’re hoping the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine from the Civic and CR-V will feature.
Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest news for the 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV.
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