Cheaper Honda HR-V hybrid coming to Australia
The Honda HR-V is in line to add a cheaper hybrid variant in Australia – which could cost less than $40,000 drive-away – with a mild styling update later this year.
The Honda HR-V small SUV is poised to add a more affordable hybrid variant for the facelifted model, due in showrooms later this year.
Information on an Australian Government website seen by Drive show the HR-V range is preparing to expand from today's entry-level petrol Vi X and top-of-the-range e:HEV L variants with a cheaper e:HEV X model.
It is yet to be confirmed for showrooms by Honda Australia, however it is likely to arrive with the facelifted line-up unveiled earlier this year and due in local showrooms in late 2024.
As reported by Drive this morning, Honda Australia has expressed an intention to no longer restrict hybrid technology to the most expensive variant – and introduce more affordable, lesser-equipped versions.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, however the new e:HEV X is likely to sit between the Vi X and e:HEV L.
The current HR-V range is in run-out, with prices of $34,900 drive-away for the Vi X, and $43,900 drive-away for the e:HEV L, both applicable nationwide – compared to their previous retail prices of $36,700 and $47,000 drive-away respectively.
There may also be a price rise for the updated HR-V range to account for new features or a higher level of equipment.
A cheaper hybrid is likely to boost sales of the HR-V, which are up 68 per cent from January to April 2024, compared to the same period last year – but less than a quarter of sales in the same months in 2019, when the base model was about $8000 cheaper.
Over the first three months of this year, the hybrid has accounted for 41 per cent of HR-V sales, compared to 46 per cent across calendar-year 2023.
The current HR-V hybrid combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors for 96kW combined, and claimed fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres.
In Japan, fuel use for a variant equivalent to Australia's HR-V e:HEV L has reduced by a claimed 2 per cent for the facelifted model.
As reported earlier this year, changes for the updated Honda HR-V in Japan include a subtly reshaped grille, new LED tail-light signatures, and a reshaped lower dashboard with a larger storage slot below the air-conditioning controls.
In Japan there is an updated energy management system for hybrid models, which Honda claims "reduces engine noise during city driving and improves responsiveness to driver operation."
New safety features include traffic-jam assist, sudden mis-acceleration suppression – in case drivers hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in a car park – and adaptive high beam, which blanks out part of the headlight beam to prevent dazzling oncoming motorists.
