KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia has launched the all-new Honda HR-V compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) in three powertrain options of petrol non-turbo, petrol turbo and petrol/electric hybrid.
Available in four variants, retail prices without insurance are RM114,800 for the entry-level S, E (RM129,800), V (RM134,800) and RS (RM140,800).
The S variant comes with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC twin cam engine that produces 121PS and 145Nm, while the E and V get a more powerful 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo twin cam with 181PS and 240Nm of torque.
Transmission for the three variants is a continuous variable transmission.
The top-of-the line RS is equipped with a two-motor system that delivers 131PS and 253Nm of torque coupled to an e-CVT and a 1.5-litre i-VTEC twin cam Atkinson Cycle engine producing 107PS and 131Nm of torque.
The hybrid powertrain of the RS allows it to achieve exciting driving performance with a low fuel consumption of 4.1 litre per 100km.
The RS, V and E variants will also get drive mode options of Normal, Sport and Econ.
Honda Malaysia opened the pre-launch order for the new HR-V on June 9 and secured 20,000 bookings by its launch today.
Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura said customers may have to wait up to 12 months to receive their vehicle due to the strong reception.
“However, rest assured that Honda Malaysia is doing our very best to deliver the new cars to our esteemed customers in a timely manner,” he said, adding that the company was also looking at selling 1,600 units of the HR-V a month.
Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum (left) and Yoshimura with the RS hybrid.
Some customers who had booked their cars early are expected to take delivery next week.
Buyers who booked their HR-Vs before June 30 and have them registered before March 31 next year are eligible to a sales tax exemption price of RM110,386 for the S variant, E (RM124,971), V (RM129,848) and RS (RM137,091).
Of the bookings received, 5% were for the S variant, 13% for E, 60% for V and 22% for RS.
Despite having a similar footprint compared with the previous generation HR-V that was launched locally in 2015, the new model sports a more stylish appearance along with higher levels of refinement, smart safety features and driving pleasure.
The front comes with a beefier bonnet, slim LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and a more dominant grille styling.
The S variant's grille comes with horizontal slats, while the E and V get black octagon-styled mesh grille.
For the RS, its black octagon mesh grille features chrome studs for a classier appearance.
The E, V and RS variants get an “Amp Up Your Life” heartbeat design at the lower grille to indicate the new HR-V's fun-loving and practical nature.
The HR-V also gets a fastback-like rear with LED taillights featuring a LED lighting strip.
Inside, the dashboard is designed to provide a clearer forward view and increase the driver's situational awareness.
It also comes with an air diffusion system and rear air-conditioner vents for better interior cooling circulation.
Rear seats are the versatile type that allow owners to configure them into utility, long or tall modes to accommodate the sizes of various items to be carried.
Standard for all variants is the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system that features Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, Low Speed Follow and Lead Car Departure Notification.
Also standard are power retractable side mirrors with turning signals, hill descent control, vehicle stability control, smart entry with push start button, electric parking brake, agile handling assist, walkaway auto lock and security alarm with immobiliser among others.
The S variant comes with 17-inch wheels, 4.2-inch TFT meter, eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, reverse camera, fabric seats and two front USB ports among others, while the E gets additional items such as seven-inch TFT meter, LED front fog lights, tail pipe finisher, remote engine starter, rear seat armrest, paddle shifters and two rear USB ports.
The V moves up with front sequential turn signals, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, leather steering, leather gear knob, eight-way driver power seat, eight speakers, variable gear ratio steering, Honda LaneWatch camera system and Honda Connect telematics system.
The RS adds on the aggressive RS bodykit and interior, hands-free power tailgate, sports pedals, dual zone auto air-conditioner, auto wipers and deceleration paddle selectors.
Five colours are Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Ruse Black Metallic.
Honda Japan Large Project Leader of the new HR-V Yoshitomo Ihashi said the new HR-V has been designed to be quieter, safer and more premium, while delivering better driving enjoyment compared with the previous generation model.
Ihashi
Ihashi said the new model was based on the current Honda City hatchback platform and developed to suit a SUV body.
While HR-Vs offered in markets such as Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia had only one or two powertrain options, Ihashi said Malaysia was able to get three powertrain choices due to sales planning strategy.
The suspension setting of different powertrain choices were also tuned differently to highlight a specific driving concept.
The S variant was adjusted for smooth driving, the E and V were set for sporty handling, while the RS hybrid was calibrated for comfort and refinement.
The previous HR-V model had sold over 111,000 units in Malaysia over its seven-year run and was the front runner in the Non-National Compact SUV segment from 2015 to 2021.
