Honda has taken the wraps off the facelift for the ASEAN-spec HR-V at the ongoing GIIAS 2018 in Indonesia. Like the refreshed model for the Japanese market (where it is sold as the Vezel), the HR-V facelift gets cosmetic changes both inside and out, and two engine and transmission options.
The exterior features new LED headlamps, a larger grille bar (bringing it in line with the design of other recently revealed Honda cars), tweaked fog lamp housing and a newly contoured front bumper. There are new designs for the 17-inch alloy wheels on offer, as well. The interior design is more or less unchanged, but higher-spec models are available with a dual-tone beige-and-black interior finish.
There are two engines on offer with the HR-V facelift – a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 120hp and 145Nm of peak torque and a 1.8-litre petrol motor that produces 139hp and 169Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre engine gets a six-speed manual and a CVT automatic option while the 1.8-litre engine is only offered with the CVT automatic gearbox. The HR-V for European markets also comes with a 1.6-litre diesel engine option. This oil-burner will come to India first in the upcoming all-new CR-V and then is likely to be used in the next Honda Civic sedan, as well.
In terms of safety equipment, the ASEAN-spec HR-V gets six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake-assist and more. Creature comforts inside include a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that doubles as a reversing camera, paddleshifters for the CVT-equipped variants, a five-speaker audio system, a panoramic sunroof, driver’s seat height-adjust and split, folding rear seats.
For the Indian market, Honda has plans to bring the HR-V facelift (with slight tweaks) to our shores in 2019. Here, it is expected to rival higher variants of the Hyundai Creta, the upcoming Tata Harrier, the yet-to-arrive MG-badged Baojun SUV and the Jeep Compass.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
