Next-gen Honda HR-V: What the compact SUV being considered for India could look like

Honda is busy testing the all-new, 3rd generation HR-V compact SUV internationally. The all-new HR-V, which is also under active consideration for the Indian market, will make its international debut next year, and will reach multiple Asian car markets such as Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. In Japan, the 2nd generation HR-V was sold as the Vezel. Here are a couple of new renders that show what the all-new Honda HR-V compact SUV could look like. If launched in India, the HR-V will take on the likes of the 2020 Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. It’ll occupy the space that the Honda BR-V has vacated recently, and could be a big volume bagger for the Japanese car brand, which has been missing in action in the fast growing compact SUV segment for a while now.

Render courtesy WAPcar

As the render indicates, the all-new 2021 Honda HR-V gets a bold front end, with headlamps that seem borrowed from the new Civic sedan, a prominent grille that gives the front end its boldness, a high-set bonnet and prominent wheel arches. The profile of the 2021 HR-V sees quite a bit of sculpting and the muscular wheel arches make an appearance at the rear as well.

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There’s cladding around the vehicle and the rear gets totally fresh styling, with a wraparound tail lamp section extending all the way across the hatch lid, a-la- MG Hector. Overall, the 2021 HR-V looks quite fresh and different from other Honda cars with a mix of crossover and SUV elements, and a lot of buyers will be impressed by the overall design of the new compact SUV.

The outgoing Honda HR-V featured four engine options: 1.5 liter turbo, 1.5 liter turbo hybrid and 1.8 liter naturally aspirated petrol units, and a 1.5 liter turbocharged diesel. Manual and CVT automatic options were on offer, with front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts being offered on the petrol powered models, while the diesel got a manual gearbox as standard, along with a front wheel drive layout. The turbo hybrid petrol engine also got a twin clutch (DCT) automatic gearbox option.

Honda is likely to offer turbo petrol, turbo petrol hybrid and turbo diesel engines in the all-new, 3rd generation HR-V. If the SUV is launched in India, the naturally aspirated petrol and the turbo diesel engines could be offered initially, with a turbo petrol motor coming in later. Manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be offered with the petrol motors, and a 6 speed manual is likely to be standard with the diesel motor.

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Honda desperately needs a hot selling SUV in the Indian market, where sedans and hatchbacks seem to be getting edged out by compact SUVs. The only affordable SUV, or rather crossover that Honda sells in India is the WR-V, which is facing much fresher competition from a range of sub-4 meter compact SUVs. If the HR-V is brought into India, localized heavily and priced well, Honda could ride on the goodwill and faith that a lot of car buyers have in the BIG H.

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