Honda HR-V facelift launching soon in Australia; What about Malaysia?

KUALA LUMPUR: The upgraded version of the second-gen HR-V (aka Vezel) made its debut in Japan earlier this year with minor cosmetic and tech enhancements. The global rollout of the revised B-segment SUV is set to begin in Australia soon, after which it is expected to arrive in ASEAN markets, including Malaysia.

Honda has recently revealed the new HR-V facelift in Australia, which will be available in three variants: Vi X, e:HEV X, and e:HEV L. The mid-spec e:HEV X is the newly added affordable hybrid model that will appeal to a broader audience.

The hybrid powertrain setup remains the same with a 104 hp/127 Nm 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine and a 129 hp/253 Nm electric motor. The base-spec Vi X petrol trim is also powered by the tried and tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine.

In terms of exterior updates, the new Honda HR-V benefits from a redesigned grille, a new set of projector LED headlights, and a new bumper on the front, offering the vehicle a more sophisticated appearance. The SUV also sports new LED tail lights and a red bar that stretches across the rear. Two new exterior colours - Slate Grey and Botanical Green are also added to the colour palette.

While no interior details have been yet provided by Honda Australia, we can refer to the Japan-spec for an idea. The cabin gains a newly styled central stack with a conventional layout and new upper and lower tray cubby trays for storage. 

In terms of safety and driver assistance, the new HR-V comes with an enhanced Honda Sensing ADAS pack with an improved Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation system, and Lane Keep Assist. The safety suite also includes two new features - Traffic Jam Assist and Adaptive Driving Beam, which are exclusive to hybrid models.

Also new for the Australian-spec HR-V facelift is Honda’s Connect app and server platform with a five-year complimentary subscription.

Closer to home, the Honda HR-V is being offered in four variants - S, Turbo E, Turbo V, and RS e:HEV in Malaysia. Pricing begins at RM 115,900 and goes up to RM 141,900. 

Also read: Honda CR-V tops H1 2024 sales chart in Malaysia