2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV hybrid launched, U.S. awaits a modified spec [Update]

Update: ‘HR-V, a model of significance for Honda in North America’ section updated with a new teaser, the world premiere date, and the latest sales data.

Note – Visitors from North America can head to the ‘USA & Canada to get a different version of the 2022 Honda HR-V’ section of this story for a regional update on the 2023 Honda HR-V.

The highly anticipated 2022 Honda HR-V (new Honda Vezel) debuted in Japan in February 2021. The new small SUV comes fitted with an e:HEV hybrid system almost across the entire range in its first market, where it went on sale in April 2021. Months later, it was announced for Europe, where it is hybrid-only.

2022 Honda HR-V Exterior (Global spec)

Video Courtesy: Honda Austria

Inspired by the Honda SUV e:concept, the global 2022 Honda HR-V (codename: Honda NX) flaunts a bold styling with the notably steeper back glass that makes it seem sportier, with visibly slimmer tail lamps further differentiating the posterior. The all-new model looks athletic thanks to the heightened coupe-esque styling at the rear and SUV-like from its upright front-end and straight character lines. It’s impressive that the designers managed to balance the solid SUV stance with a coupe-like hunchback appearance.

Honda has designed the 2022 HR-V (new Vezel) from scratch, clearly evident in the exterior and interior. Image Source: Honda

The 2022 Honda HR-V sports a distinctive design mash-up of traditional SUVs and modern crossovers. It has a tougher front-end featuring a noticeably larger, hexagonal radiator grille, an inverted V-shape flattish hood set higher, and sharper headlamps.

On the sides, the 2022 Honda HR-V has a bigger greenhouse and a straighter roofline that generally improve outside visibility and headroom for the rear passengers. The SUV’s rear end looks very different from the front and sides. It features a rakish windscreen for that sporty look typical of SUV coupes. The rear combination clusters are sleek and connected like the headlamps, giving the vehicle a bolder styling.

Interior (Global spec)

The Honda HR-V has gone on a diet to free up space and look poised. The sleeker dashboard has a major contribution to this, and the freestanding central display is the immediate next in the list. Repeating customers will appreciate the new dual-zone climate control panel with physical controls with rotating dials. The side AC vent controls come with similar but smaller knobs that contribute to the minimalist theme while providing more convenience. The steering wheel and instrument panel look smaller than those of the old Honda HR-V.

Honda has used newly-developed rear seats in the 2022 HR-V and positioned them 30 mm (1.2 in.) further to the rear. The company has given an additional two degrees of recline to the rear seats. The driver seats 10 mm (0.4 in.) higher than in the outgoing model, which should provide a better view of the road ahead.

The all-new Honda HR-V is more spacious than the outgoing generation. Image Source: Honda

Honda says that the headroom is comparable to the class standard and that the sedan-like seating position frees up 35 mm (1.4 in.) extra legroom. The shoulder room is claimed to be comparable to SUVs belonging to a higher class.

2022 Honda HR-V features (Global spec)

The 2022 Honda HR-V is equipped with a plethora of new features to attract young and tech-savvy customers. On the outside, it has LED headlights with LED DRL that double as LED sequential turn indicators, LED active cornering lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, hidden rear door handles, hands-free power tailgate with Walk Away Close function, and full-width LED rear lights.

Main interior features include the Air Diffusion System, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, OTA updates, 7-inch TFT driver information display, wireless charging pad, touch-activated cabin lights, and a premium audio system with an amplifier.

Japanese customers can modify the Vezel’s styling with an official accessory pack in either “Casual Style” (white model) or “Urban Style” (red model) at the dealership. Image Source: Honda

The 2022 HR-V has stabilizing front seats with mat-structure support instead of spring set-up, which reduces fatigue on long journeys and provides more comfort in daily use, as per Honda. Drivers and front passengers tend to find discomfort with the climate control’s air flowing directly onto them. In this case, there’s a new ventilation configuration that a new ‘Air Diffusion System’ enables. It discreetly releases a stream of soft ‘breeze’ like air from the outer sides of the vents. The air travels to the roof as well, creating a gentle vortex.

New Honda Vezel colors

New Honda Vezel colorsNew Honda Vezel PLay colorsPremium Sunlight White Pearl [Paid]Premium Sunlight White Pearl with Black Roof [Paid]Crystal Black PearlCrystal Black Pearl with Silver RoofPlatinum White Pearl [Paid]Midnight Blue Beam Metallic with Silver Roof [Paid]Meteoroid Gray Metallic [Paid]Meteoroid Gray Metallic with Black Roof [Paid]Sand Khaki Pearl [Paid]Sand Khaki Pearl with Black Roof [Paid]Premium Crystal Red Metallic [Paid]–

New Honda Vezel color options in Japan

2022 Honda HR-V specification (Globally)

Aspect2022 Honda HR-V Dimensions (U.S.)New Honda Vezel Dimensions (Japan)Difference Length170.4 in.4,330 mm (170.5 in.)+0.1 in.Width69.8 in./70.5 in.1,790 mm (70.5 in.)+0.7 in./± 0 in.Height63.2 in.1,580 mm (62.2 in.)/1,590 mm (62.6 in.)-1 in./-0.6 in.Wheelbase102.8 in.2,610 mm (102.8 in.)±0 in.

The gas-powered Honda Vezel G makes use of a newly developed ‘L15Z’ 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 87 kW (117 hp) and 142 Nm (105 Lb.-Ft.). The engine is mated to a CVT as standard, and it’s the same unit employed in the fourth-gen Honda Fit but with a lower gear ratio.

The 2022 Honda Vezel Hybrid X/Z/Play features an e:HEV hybrid powertrain that combines the ‘LEC’ 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine and two electric motors. The engine produces 78 kW (105 hp) and 127 Nm (94 Lb.-Ft.), while the propulsion motor, internally called ‘H5,’ generates 96 kW (129 hp) and 253 Nm (187 Lb.-Ft.).

In Europe, Honda sells the 2022 HR-V exclusively with an e:HEV hybrid system that combines a 1.5-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine with two electric motors – a traction motor and a generator. The engine produces 79 kW (106 hp) of power and 131 Nm (97 Lb.-Ft.) of torque, and the traction motor generates 96 kW (129 hp) of power and 253 Nm (187 Lb.-Ft.) of torque.

Honda says that it has moved the power control unit of the HR-V hybrid from under the trunk (in the previous gen) to the engine compartment and increased the number of Lithium-ion battery cells from 48 to 60. Sport, Normal, Econ, and B (stronger regeneration) are the available drive modes. The all-new model drives on electric power from the start, and when the engine is under high-torque demand, it switches to hybrid power. At “higher, more constant speeds,” the gasoline engine is responsible for the drive.

USA & Canada to get a different version of the new Honda HR-V

With the Honda Fit exiting the U.S. market without a replacement, the next-gen Honda HR-V is a crucial launch for the Japanese brand in the region. The version of the HR-V covered in this story is what markets worldwide have received, but not the U.S. or Canada. Honda’s spokespersons have told carscoops.com that a different next-gen HR-V is heading to the North American markets.

Designed for the local market

According to Honda’s American press office, the HR-V’s successor “will be designed to meet the distinct needs of U.S. customers.” Honda’s Canadian press office repeated the same about their next-gen HR-V, replacing “U.S. customers” with “Canadians.” On January 13, 2022, Honda confirmed the exclusive North American HR-V with a set of teasers and an announcement confirming its launch as an MY2023 model. A teaser offering a look at the final tail lamp design followed on March 23, 2022, where Honda revealed that the U.S.-spec 2023 HR-V would debut on April 4, 2022.

The North American-spec 2023 Honda HR-V looks to be a more practical design, promising improved space for passengers and cargo. Image Source: Honda

Aggressive front-end

The above teaser shows the 2023 Honda HR-V featuring slim, three-eyed headlamps with an L-shaped DRL stripe, a flattish hood, a shark-inspired radiator grille and criss-cross lower grille, and a sporty bumper. Compared to the global model, the North American HR-V’s headlamps are bigger yet less ‘meaner,’ but the upright radiator grille, the straighter hood, and the bumper’s powerful outer-ends give it a more dominating character.

Bigger windows

The North American HR-V looks noticeably different at the sides. It would be more practical than its predecessor with larger rear windows that let in ample natural light and give an expanded field of view of the surroundings, making the journey comfortable for the passengers. Another major change is the traditional rear door handles instead of concealed units of the global spec.

Rear elements that emphasize the width

The new HR-V for the U.S. and Canada has a familiar hunched rear-end for a sporty stance, but its back glass is not as raked as that of the global car. Newly designed tail lamps that are compact and more contemporary, sharper edges on the tailgate, and an inverted license plate section, make it immediately recognizable. The strikingly contoured tail lamps of the U.S.-spec 2023 HR-V sport U-shaped light guides at the lower edge.

The North American-spec 2023 Honda HR-V will debut on April 4, 2022, and should go on sale by June. Images: Honda

Citing Honda Large Project Leader Kojiro Okabe, a report from autonews.com filed in April 2021 said that the next-gen HR-V for the U.S. will be based on a slightly bigger platform with more rugged styling. Instead of the global model’s coupe-like rear, it would offer better cargo volume to make it a practical vehicle for recreational activities and inter-city trips.

Interior

The interior of the U.S.-spec 2023 Honda HR-V will likely draw cues from the all-new Civic. A new spy shot on BurlappCar.com reveals a freestanding touchscreen infotainment system like in the latest Civic and the global HR-V.

Instrument cluster

Honda may win North Americans over if it throws in the Civic’s 10.2-inch HD fully digital instrument cluster. Volkswagen’s Taos, which is the HR-V’s new rival stateside, is available with a 10.25-inch virtual instrument cluster (Digital Cockpit Pro). Small SUV customers in the U.S. and Canada prioritize practicality over style. With the Fit discontinued in these main North American markets, there is pressure on Honda to renew the surviving subcompact model flawlessly.

Google-powered infotainment

The revised HR-V for the U.S. will likely feature a newly developed infotainment system with Google built-in. Honda has confirmed that it plans to launch future models in North America with an infotainment system that allows using Google services directly from apps installed on it. Customers would be able to access Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play with native apps on the go.

Google Assistant allows sending text messages, receiving directions, and controlling vehicle functions, media, and compatible smartphone devices through voice commands. Using Google Maps through Apple CarPlay/Android Auto offers convenience, but it can drain the smartphone’s battery. That won’t be the case anymore, thanks to the built-in app. Google Play will allow downloading apps, music, podcasts, and audiobooks to the vehicle.

Overall we look forward to a cleaner and more modern interior design in the 2023 Honda HR-V.

HR-V, a model of significance for Honda in North America

The HR-V is one of Honda’s main models in the U.S. and Canada. In the United States., it was the fifth highest-selling Honda car in 2021, where the brand sold 137,090 HR-Vs, recording an impressive 63.1% year-over-year growth (2020: 84,027 units). May 2021 was the SUV’s best month in history, with 15,242 sales.

In January 2022, Honda sold 13,487 units of the HR-V, marking a solid 111.8% year-over-year growth (January 2020: 6,369 units). The HR-V was the second best-selling Honda in America that month, lagging behind the Civic by just 112 units. However, Honda said that it was going through some supply issues, and that explains why CR-V, Accord, and Pilot sales dived. The HR-V set its 13th consecutive monthly sales record in the U.S. in February 2022. With 13,340 units sold, it registered a solid year-over-year growth of 63.1% (February 2021: 8,181 units).

On why a hybrid is relevant for the HR-V in the United States

Honda has not offered the HR-V with a hybrid system in the USA and Canada. Perhaps, that could change in the coming generation as the company strives to increase the share of electrified models in its portfolio. “Our strategy is focused on introducing a higher percentage of hybrids in core models in the near term,” said Dave Gardner, Executive Vice President, American Honda, on June 28, 2021. Moreover, Toyota plans to launch a hybrid variant of the Toyota Corolla Cross, a new competitor of the HR-V, in the U.S. later this year. Honda can lure potential Corolla Cross Hybrid customers towards its showrooms with an HR-V Hybrid.

2021 was Honda’s best year in its history for sales of electrified vehicles in the United States, topping 100,000 cars for the first time. Globally, Honda aims for electrified vehicles to form two-thirds of its auto sales by 2030. A pivotal model like the HR-V needs electrification in all volume markets, including Japan, the United States, and Canada, for Honda to reach this target.

Honda electrification strategy (North America)

Honda has announced that by 2040, it plans to convert 100% of its North American sales to electric and fuel cell vehicles. In the meantime, it will work to convert 40% sales to these types of cars by 2030 and to increase that count to 80% by 2035. Initially, the company will borrow GM’s third-gen global EV architecture and Ultium batteries to realize an electric car. Leveraging its partnership with GM, it has confirmed the Honda Prologue electric SUV launch in early 2024, and the first Acura electric SUV launch a few months later.

Honda’s long-term plan is to indigenously develop a new ‘e:Architecture’ specially for EVs. The company has confirmed that it will introduce e:Architecture models first in North America, beginning in the second half of the decade. Pure electric versions of SUVs like HR-V, CR-V and the Pilot could be realized using this EV platform.

Next-gen 2023 Honda HR-V FAQs

What is the next-gen Honda HR-V release date?

Expect Honda to launch the 2023 HR-V in the U.S. by June, following its debut on the 4th of April.

What is the expected 2023 Honda HR-V price?

The next-gen Honda HR-V’s prices may start at around $23,000.

Which SUVs will the next-gen Honda HR-V rival?

The 2023 Honda HR-V will compete with the Toyota Corolla Cross and the VW Taos.

Featured Image Source: Honda

Keyword: 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV hybrid launched, U.S. awaits a modified spec [Update]