Revealed in Japan in March, the facelifted Honda HR-V is lastly making its strategy to international markets, with Australia being the primary export vacation spot. The revised B-segment SUV is heading Down Below quickly with the identical blink-and-you’ll-miss-them updates first seen on the home-market Vezel.
These modifications embody embody a mildly reprofiled entrance finish, which seems barely extra streamlined (no extra bulging decrease “mouth”) and includes a wider grille vaguely much like the smaller Elevate (referred to as the WR-V in Japan), replete with a silver bar that joins the headlights. There are additionally new taillights which function a slim purple bar, giving the automotive a sleeker look.
Additionally added are projector LED headlights, that includes the Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) operate supplied on the Civic in different markets (not right here, sadly). This blocks off sure elements of the excessive beam if the Honda Sensing digicam detects a car coming within the different path to keep away from dazzling different highway customers.
Talking of Honda Sensing, the suite of driver assists has been upgraded with the addition of Site visitors Jam Help, offering Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving (together with steering help, not doable earlier than) at low speeds. Enhancements have additionally been made to the automotive’s autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane centring help and lane holding help capabilities.
Honda Australia didn’t present any pictures of the inside, however primarily based on what has been seen on the Vezel, we are able to count on the HR-V’s “wraparound” centre console to get replaced by a extra standard unit with an extra storage compartment beneath the air-con controls. For the primary time in Australia, the automotive might be supplied with the Honda Join app and providers, with a free subscription for the primary 5 years.
Three variants might be supplied, together with a brand new mid-spec e:HEV X that slots underneath the flagship e:HEV L. Each might be powered by the identical 131 PS/253 Nm electrical motor, plus a 105 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine as a generator. No mechanical modifications had been talked about, however the JDM Vezel does get new software program that improves throttle response and considerably reduces the frequency of engine begins and stops; count on this to be added to abroad HR-Vs as properly.
Remaining on the base of the lineup is the Vi X petrol variant. This was powered by a 121 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre i-VTEC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT, and this could keep the identical this time round, with no turbocharged mannequin on the horizon. Final however not least, the facelifted HR-V debuts two new colors – Slate Gray and Botanical Inexperienced, changing the departing Meteoroid Gray.
Now that the up to date HR-V is lastly headed to export markets, its ASEAN debut must be occurring fairly quickly, with Thailand virtually definitely getting the automotive first. Nonetheless, we are able to just about rule it out of coming to Malaysia this 12 months – Honda Malaysia beforehand mentioned it’ll solely launch two new fashions in 2024; the primary being the facelifted Metropolis Hatchback in Could, the second set to be the also-revised Civic.
GALLERY: 2025 Honda Vezel facelift
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