Honda HR-V only available as hybrid in Europe

Honda has presented the new generation of its HR-V compact SUV, which will be launched in Europe at the end of this year. After the small car Jazz, the new HR-V will be the next model that Honda will only offer with hybrid drive in Europe.

++ This article has been updated. Kindly continue reading below. ++

The compact SUV uses Honda’s hybrid drive with two electric motors called e:HEV. This is already known from the Jazz. Since Honda does not provide any performance data in the current announcement, we use the data from the Jazz as a guide. The hybrid drive combines a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine with two electric motors in the small car. The system output is 80 kW. Among the two e-motors, one serves as a traction motor for propulsion and one as a generator motor for energy recovery.

In hybrid mode, the generator produces electricity via the combustion engine and via recuperation, which is either temporarily stored in the battery or transferred directly to the traction motor next to it. However, in a small window, roughly between 80 and 100 kph, it is more efficient for the petrol engine to drive the wheels directly. In the other cases, Honda expects a higher efficiency from the conversion into electrical energy.

Instead of details on the e:HEV drive, Honda devotes more attention to the looks in the current announcement on its revised compact SUV. The design of the HR-V is bold, sleek and inspired by a coupé, it says. It includes a new integrated grille, a long bonnet and sharper, more vertical sides. Honda also says it was keen to “further enhance the SUV aesthetic”.

The compact SUV is part of Honda’s drive to electrify all core models in Europe by 2022 and joins the two full hybrids CR-V and Jazz and the fully-electric Honda e passenger car.

Update 29 July 2021

Honda has now released the technical data for the HR-V e:HEV. The hybrid drive, which combines two compact e-motors with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a lithium-ion battery, delivers a total output of 96 kW (131 hp) in the new HR-V – 16 kW more than in the small car Jazz. The maximum torque is 253 Nm. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes 10.6 seconds.

In addition to the performance data, Honda has also published the official WLTP consumption figures. With the hybrid, the HR-V comes to a standard consumption of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the combined cycle, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 122 grams per kilometre.

Honda does not yet name the prices for the HR-V e:HEV in the announcement.

Update 03 August 2021

Honda has confirmed pricing details for its all-new HR-V compact SUV in the UK. Starting from £26,960, all variants of this latest generation HR-V are equipped as standard with Honda’s advanced two-motor e:HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain technology.

The vehicle is available in three different trims, with the Elegance grade, which features LED headlights, heated front seats, 18” alloy wheels and seamless smartphone connectivity, starting at £26,960. Next up the ladder is the Advance, which starts from £29,210 and adds a power tailgate with ‘Walk Away Close and Handsfree access’, heated steering wheel, and a synthetic leather and fabric interior trim. The Advance Style derivative is available from £31,660 and adds premium audio, unique details and stand-out design elements.

hondanews.eu, hondanews.eu (update), hondanews.eu (update II)