Honda has finally ripped the covers from its new-generation HR-V for the American market – and it’s considerably different to the one we will get in Australia.
The new HR-V was teased back in January with a series of renderings that hinted at a much more rugged, off-road focused SUV than the one American Honda has revealed this week.
Instead, the latest HR-V for the USA adopts a conservative exterior design – even more so than the version that is being offered to the rest of the world, including Australia.
The American HR-V features a protruding honeycomb grille with high-set LED headlights sitting above. The overall look is reminiscent of the current-gen Ford Escape SUV and is quite different from the global model.
It also appears to be larger than the Australian market version, although Honda is yet to release dimensions and other tech specs.
The staid rear end treatment is more traditional SUV compared to the global versions more raked rear windscreen and coupe-like silhouette.
Elsewhere it features black cladding on the on the lower section, enhanced wheel arches, a tailgate spoiler and hidden windscreen wipers.
It’s unclear if the interior matches the global version or if American Honda has gone in its own direction for the cabin.
The US HR-V is based on the same underpinnings as the new-generation Civic small car and has a longer wheelbase than the model it replaces.
Honda hasn’t revealed the powertrains that will be offered but reports have suggested it could use the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol model and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines offered in the Civic.
The new HR-V will launch in the US mid-year, while the global model hits Australian showrooms this month.
As reported, the new HR-V will be offered in two grades, starting with the Vi X that uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering 89kW/145Nm and is priced from $36,700 drive-away.
The flagship e:HEV L hybrid costs $45,000 and is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors sending drive to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Keyword: 2022 Honda HR-V USA versus the world: Is Australia getting the better version of the new Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV SUV rival?