North American version of the HR-V will rival Corolla Cross SUV. Honda’s SUV for India still some time away.
Honda has taken the wraps off an all-new HR-V SUV for the North American market. The Honda HR-V seen here is significantly different from the one that is on sale in Europe, Asia and a few South American markets. The Honda HR-V for North America gets unique exterior design, and is bigger than the model sold in those markets.
- North American-spec HR-V to take on Corolla Cross
- Will sit below the CR-V in Honda’s line-up
- Expected to get petrol, petrol hybrid engine options
- City Hybrid India launch in the coming weeks
2023 Honda HR-V: new for North America
Based on the new-gen Honda Civic, the North American HR-V sports a unique front design featuring a large octagonal grille with honeycomb pattern, wide headlamps, and more prominent, sportier bumpers. Along the side, the HR-V carries forward the traditional rounded look with a large glasshouse and black claddings around the wheel arches to give it a more rugged look. Around the back, the HR-V gets a tidy new look with Civic-inspired tail-lights that look sharp.
Honda is yet to reveal the interior images for the model.
2023 Honda HR-V: powertrain details
Honda says that the new HR-V will get a “more responsive” engine, although the carmaker has not given any details. The outgoing HR-V in North America gets a 141hp, 1.8-litre petrol engine paired to a CVT gearbox. Honda might equip the new SUV with either a 158hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 180hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor from the Civic sedan, with the possibility of introducing a hybrid version later.
Honda HR-V: India angle
The previous-generation Honda HR-V was slated to come to India in 2019, but the plan was cancelled just a few months ahead of the market launch. Honda subsequently replaced the HR-V with an all-new model, but the SUV never made it to India thereafter. Despite SUVs being all the rage now, Honda’s India portfolio currently does not include an SUV.
However, the carmaker is working on a Creta-rivalling SUV for our market, but even that is unlikely to arrive before the end of 2023. Last year, Honda unveiled a new BR-V based RS SUV concept in Indonesia, and while the concept is touted to preview a Creta rival overseas, it remains to be seen what’s lined up for our country in the future.
As far as other models go Honda will introduce the City Hybrid in India in the coming months.
Also see:
Upcoming City Hybrid to get Honda Sensing tech in India
Honda Civic, CR-V axed with Greater Noida plant closure
