Honda has revealed the important new third-generation 2022 Honda HR-V ahead of an early 2022 Australian release. Now in its third generation (the original HR-V was sold between 1998 and 2006), the HR-V is a popular car here in Australia, with thousands sold every year. The new model will be offered solely with a hybrid drivetrain in Europe, a move that may be replicated locally – Honda is yet to announce local details of drivetrain availability, pricing or even where the car is made.
When the 2022 Honda HR-V is launched in Australia, it will face even stronger competition from cars such as the new Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Volkswagen T-Roc.
Stylistically, the 2022 Honda HR-V moves to a sportier and more coupe-like design, though Honda says that it is just as practical as the current model. The new front end is unlike any Honda before it – it’s sharp, angular and aggressive – while the rear uses a new joined LED tailights. Wheels up to 18-inches in size will be available – 16s will feature on entry-level cars. Like the current car, the rear door handles are hidden in the window line.
Inside the 2022 Honda HR-V is where the biggest changes have been made. Gone is the current model’s dashboard for a much sleeker and more minimalist design. Atop the dashboard is a new 9.0-inch touchscreen that features new software, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, an inbuilt wifi hotspot and Honda’s ‘Connected’ services.
The rest of the cabin appears to be high quality with higher quality materials, at least two USB ports, air vents that run the length of the dashboard and even circular vent control on each end of the dashboard.
Honda promises that the 2022 Honda HR-V’s practicality will be just as good as the current model with lots of passenger space, Honda’s ‘Magic Seat’s that fold up or flat, as well as a large boot – though full details such as dimensions are yet to be revealed.
The 2022 Honda HR-V’s engine lineup is – at least for Europe – solely available as a hybrid. Full details are yet to be announced, though it’s likely a twin-motor version of the 80kW unit that serves in the new generation of Jazz light car that’s not due for Australian sales. We predict outputs of around 100kW, and combined fuel consumption of around 4.5L/100km. Other markets, such as Japan, will get a 1.5-litre petrol engine option as well.
The 2022 Honda HR-V will also fix the biggest problem with the current car: its lack of active safety equipment. Standard on all models of the new model will include forward and reverse auto emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera, driver attention monitoring and auto high beam.
Honda Australia has confirmed that the 2022 Honda HR-V will be sold locally ‘within a year’, which points to around early 2022 for the first sales. Local details such as pricing and drivetrains will be announced in due course.
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