Honda HR-V return confirmed
The Honda HR-V nameplate will return to Australia for the first time in 14 years in 2015, to be used for the Japanese car maker's new sub-compact SUV.
CarAdvice reported in February that Honda Australia was planning to revive the HR-V badge for the Jazz-based model that is called the Honda Vezel in Japan.
Confirming the local revival of the previously used badge – and mirroring a recent decision by Honda North America – Honda Australia said the 2015 launch of the all-new Honda HR-V (pictured top) will boost the local division’s vehicle range and attract small SUV buyers to the Japanese brand.
“It is fitting that the new small SUV will take the HR-V moniker as Honda enters the country’s fastest-growing segment with a red-hot competitor,” Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said.
The new HR-V, built on same platform as the all-new third-generation Jazz city car, was previewed in concept form by the Urban SUV and will sit below the company's medium-sized SUV, the CR-V.
Honda Australia is still yet to announce an engine line-up but both petrol and diesel variants are expected with a hybrid powertrain also an option.
Due to arrive in early 2015 to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008, Suzuki S-Cross, Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi ASX, the new HR-V will follow the July 2014 launch of the third-gen Honda Jazz.
Sold locally between 1999 to 2001, the first-generation Honda HR-V (pictured below) was one of the first compact SUVs to be offered in Australia, selling more than 5000 units in its three years in showrooms.