Entry point to Honda HR-V up by $5400, but seating capacity for roomier small SUV drops to four
Honda Australia has announced a $36,700 drive-away starting price for its third-generation 2022 Honda HR-V, which represents a $5400 increase over the previous range.
Orders are now open for Honda’s new small SUV range that has just two variants available at launch – the entry-level Vi X petrol and flagship e:HEV L hybrid, the latter starting from $45,000 drive-away.
Both of them are also now four-seater models only, with the seat belt removed from the centre-rear position in what is claimed to be a roomier cabin.
The previous five-seater range started at $31,300 drive-away for the VTi and topped out at $41,000 for the VTi-LX. There was no hybrid powertrain available.
Positioned between the outgoing VTi-S and RS grades, the Vi X serves not only as the entry point to the new HR-V range but also the entire Honda Australia portfolio as the Japanese brand pares back its line-up and has a more premium focus under its new fixed-price agency business structure.
Over the previously confirmed standard features list, equipment highlights across the new HR-V range include climate-control air-conditioning, illuminated vanity mirrors, an agile handling assist system, hill descent control, walk-away locking, rear privacy glass, DAB+ digital radio, ambient interior lighting and over-the-air infotainment updates.
The e:HEV L adds active cornering headlights, a powered tailgate, auto-tilting and heated wing mirrors, heated front seats, leatherette/fabric upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, express windows all-round, an adjustable speed limiter, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
In terms of active safety, the Honda Sensing suite of driver assist tech on both models includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, high beam support and traffic sign recognition.
The e:HEV L steps things up further with the inclusion of a blind spot information system and rear cross traffic alert.
As the ‘e:HEV’ tag suggests, the flagship model features a hybrid powertrain built around the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the Vi X, but boosted by two electric motors that nearly double the torque figure.
The petrol-electric hybrid churns out 96kW from 4000-8000rpm and 253Nm from 0-3500rpm, whereas the non-electrified engine develops 89kW at 6600rpm and 145Nm at 4300rpm.
Both are down in power compared to the previous 105kW/172Nm 1.8-litre engine.
The Vi X and e:HEV L use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to send their power to the front wheels.
Combined-cycle fuel economy for the hybrid is listed at 4.3L/100km, compared to 5.8L/100km for the regular petrol version.
In comparison, the previous 1.8-litre engine returned 6.6L/100km at the entry level.
Customers of the new HR-V will be able to choose from five exterior colours – three pearlescent (Platinum White, Premium Opal and Crystal Black) and two metallic (Meteoroid Grey and Premium Crystal Red).
How much does the 2022 Honda HR-V cost?Vi X – $36,700e:HEV L – $45,000
* All prices are drive-away (including on-road costs)
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