India-Bound 2019 Honda HR-V Revealed Ahead Of Feb 15 Debut In Japan

Honda HR-V SUV India Launch, Price, Engine, Specs, Features, Interior 3

Honda HR-V will compete primarily against Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur; could get powered by a 1.8L petrol and 1.6L diesel engine

Honda is certainly gearing up to roll out some exciting cars in the Indian market in next three years. As the brand cleared its strategy at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, it wants to launch six new models here by the end of this decade. Considering the company’s previous announcement of focusing on premium products instead of mass market cars, we can see the HR-V aka Honda Vezel coming to India in the due course of 2019.

With Honda launching CR-V diesel by the middle of 2018 ahead of the resurrection of Civic, the HR-V is expected to follow suite the sedan as early as 2019. Back in October, we heard reports that the SUV is in the last phase of receiving green signal for India launch and it is almost certainly heading for India.

Honda HR-V SUV India Launch, Price, Engine, Specs, Features, Interior 4Also read: Best SUVs You Can Buy In India – 15+ SUVs

Interestingly, Honda has long considered the HR-V unsuitable for the Indian market. The automaker thought this SUV is too premium for the budget sensitive domestic buyers. But, as the brand has learnt it the hard way that customers here are showing more interest in premium products instead of basic cars, Honda had to revamp its strategy and in comes the chance that we will likely see HR-V on the Indian roads.

The arrival of Jeep Compass, which hit 10,000 sales mark in just a few months, and the Renault Captur would have given Honda the wake up call to introduce a premium crossover and the HR-V fits the bill perfectly. Upon launch here, the Honda HR-V will be positioned above BR-V, a not so successful UV from the brand. It could be priced between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh (ex-showroom). Honda was reportedly conducting feasibility study for the HR-V and the feedbacks were impressively positive.

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Also read: Honda To Launch Six New Cars In India In The Next Three Years

The Japanese auto major launched the second generation model of this SUV in global market back in 2013 and after five years a major facelift will make its global premiere on February 15 before going on sale in Japan and eventually elsewhere. We can hope the third gen HR-V to make its way sometime in 2019 and is expected to be underpinned by a new platform.

However, the problem is due to the high success rate of the HR-V globally, Honda could introduce the incoming second-gen facelift in India instead of an all-new version. As we have already reported, Honda confirmed that its upcoming premium models will be brought into the country via CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units but the HR-V could be locally made to be positioned at an aggressive price range.

Honda HR-V SUV India Launch, Price, Engine, Specs, Features, Interior 5Also read: Honda Sports EV Concept Revealed In Tokyo; Begs To Enter Production

Upon arrival, the HR-V would prove to be a very important product for the brand considering the growing demand for upmarket SUVs. It could help in increasing the Japanese brand’s market share and crucially bring freshness to Honda’s local portfolio – just like the WR-V compact crossover that garnered success within short span of time.

Expect the Honda HR-V to come with several interesting upmarket features and advanced technologies alongside the sharp and stylish design and efficient powertrain. These would help the car to become an attractive package to the buyers.

Also Read: New Honda CR-V To Launch In India In Mid-2018 

Honda HR-V SUV India Launch, Price, Engine, Specs, Features, Interior 2With the help of official images of the upcoming model we can see that, up front, it boasts a new bumper while the brand logo has been repositioned and bigger chrome bar introduced for a more appealing stance as in the latest Civic. The LED headlights come with revisions to the graphics and design, along with minor cosmetic tweaks like larger fog lamp enclosure to bring forth a refreshed vibe. Honda could be adding up more features in the updated cabin as well.

It has brought in updates to the Honda Sensing suite with new safety and driver assistance technologies for Japan. In foreign markets, the HR-V is sold in three powertrain options: a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.6-litre diesel and a 1.5-litre hybrid. For India though, Honda could make the new 140 hp 1.8-litre petrol and 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel available.

Also Read: Honda Civic Could Be Relaunched In India With New 1.6L Diesel Engine 

Honda-HR-V-3.pngThe diesel engine will debut in the upcoming CR-V and is good enough to make 158 hp and 350 Nm torque. We can expect six-speed manual and CVT as transmission options while four-wheel-drive system will only be offered as an option. Honda might introduce the hybrid variant at the later stages of its lifecycle as well.

The available Honda Sensing features are Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lead Car Departure Notification System, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), False Start Prevention Function and Traffic Sign Recognition.

In Japan, the standard 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine develops 131 PS and 155 Nm while its hybrid sibling produces 132 PS and 156 Nm as the electric motor alone is capable of 29.5 PS and 160 Nm.

India-Bound Honda HR-V Images