The new generation Honda HR-V is now available in South Africa! Take a look at what you can expect in terms of local specifications and pricing for the new HR-V!

Honda revealed its third-generation HR-Vin early 2021 and we think Honda has hit the styling on the head! Would you agree?

The Japanese brand is keen to defend its position in thecompact crossover marketand this redesigned HR-V should give a good account of itself, in that role.

New look and improved safety for the Honda HR-V

The cabin of the new HR-V is not as radical as its exterior design might suggest.

A colour-coded grille, which appears integrated as part of the bumper moulding, and slim headlampsgive the HR-V a very futuristic appearance. Hidden rear door handles, intricate pattern LED and a light strip connecting the taillamps, are all design details meant to give the HR-V a more upmarket look.

The HR-V silhouette also features a distinct taper beyond the C-pillar, with a nearly flat aft window giving it the requisite Sportback profile.

In South Africa, the new HR-V will be offered in 2 trim grades, namely the base HR-VComfort and the range-topping HR-V Elegance.

Honda’s designers haven’t been as radical with the cabin architecture, but the new HR-V does havea 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with a conventional audio volume dial) and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The display can also be customised with shortcuts to your most preferred functions. A configurable7-inch LCD instrument cluster is also fitted.

The Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features will also be offered in the new HR-V. The system incorporates a new, wider-angle monocularcamera that’s able to more accurately monitor the road and traffic situation to inform functions such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, enhanced road departure mitigation and rear-cross traffic alert to name a few. Other safety features include Collision Mitigation Braking(CMBS)and low-speed braking which uses sonar sensors to detect potential collisions.

In terms of practicality, those quitebrilliant magic seats, one of Honda’s best ergonomic comfort and convenience components, are also fixed to the HR-V’s cabin. More so, Honda claims class-leading levels of cargo space and says that surfboards can be carried with ease (this is something we would love to test) and that you can load not 1 but 2 mountain bikes upright(with the front wheels removed) into the HR-V. The load bay also has an additional storage facility under the boot floor for storing items out of sight.

What powertrains are available for the new Honda HR-V in South Africa?

The new HR-V will be launching in South Africa in May 2022!

In South Africa, the new Honda HR-V Comfort and HR-V Elegance ispowered by an 89 kW 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, the same that powers the Honda Fit. This engine is paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that will direct power to the front wheels.

In other markets, adual-motor, all-wheel-drive hybrid HR-V is available for the first time anddelivers 96 kW and 253 Nm, with the non-hybridized 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycleengine offering87kW, but significantly weaker on torque, at only 142Nm (outputs vary depending on the market). While the HR-V hybrid won’t be offered at launch, it can’t be ruled out for introduction in the future andHonda may see this as an opportunity to capitalise on the growth that hybrid models have seen in this segment since the introduction of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is selling strongly in South Africa.

We are currently driving the new Honda HR-V at its local launchso be sure to look out for our Launch Review soon!

How much does the new Honda HR-V cost in South Africa?

Honda HR-V Comfort CVT – R469 000

Honda HR-V Elegance CVT – R554 500

The new Honda HR-V is sold with a 5-year/200 000km warranty,4-year/60 000km service plan and 3-year roadside assistance.

Also see:What has happened to Honda SA? A look at sales figures

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