Honda HR-V Hybrid 2022: Australian pricing to be announced next week, release date in April

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Australian pricing for the new-generation 2022 Honda HR-V will be announced at the end of March, with the choice of a 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder Vi-X trim or the flagship e-HEV L hybrid grade expected to cost less than $50,000 driveaway.

Honda’s rival for the Toyota C-HR and new-gen Nissan Qashqai will be equipped with a self-charging dual-motor hybrid powertrain that produces a maximum 96kW of power. 

The HR-V is an important model for Honda, with the brand looking to build on the HR-V’s 2021 sales result that saw 6069 units sold for a 6.3 percent share in the small SUV segment.  

Much like the Civic VTi-LX small car ($47,200 driveaway), Honda will sell the HR-V under its fixed pricing agency model, with the majority of the transaction occurring on Honda’s website and dealers looking after floor stock, test drives and servicing.

Australian pricing is yet to be locked in, but Honda Australia’s director Stephen Collins hinted that the new small SUV will push upmarket and will be “repositioned as a sophisticated entry point to the Honda vehicle line-up in Australia.

“The all-new HR-V has been designed to appeal to a broader audience, elevating premium styling and quality alongside the HR-V’s enduring trademarks of spaciousness and versatility,” Mr Collins added.

How much will the Honda HR-V cost?

Sources that have contacted Chasing Cars suggested dealer training for the HR-V will begin on March 28, with the HR-V physically arriving at Honda dealerships across the country from late March.

While Honda will confirm detailed pricing in the coming weeks, our sources indicated there will be two powertrains and the flagship hybrid option will be in the vicinity of $45,000-50,000 driveaway. 

The HR-V hybrid will pack a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with two electric motors for 96kW/253Nm combined outputs, combined with all-wheel-drive. In European form, the HR-V hybrid has a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 10.6 seconds. 

Honda’s e-HEV hybrid system achieves a combined WLTP fuel-consumption figure of 5.4L/100km in Europe, though ADR 81/02 figures are yet to be released.

Honda will also offer a 1.5-litre petrol base HR-V variant that will use the same 87kW/142Nm as the Japanese-market Honda Vezel.

How well-specified is the new HR-V?

Honda has equipped the base Vi-X grade with LED headlights, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay functionality (though no word on Android Auto) and navigation, keyless entry and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

Honda’s ‘Sensing’ safety suite features front AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, auto high-beam and traffic-sign recognition. 

Over and above the base car, the flagship e-HEV L grade introduces the hybrid powertrain, an electric tailgate, adaptive LED headlights with cornering function, and heated front seats and steering wheel. 

The range-topping HR-V also gets blind-spot monitoring, exterior pedestrian acoustic warning sound and rear cross-traffic alert. The third-gen HR-V has yet to be evaluated by ANCAP or Euro NCAP for an overall safety rating. 

Detailed Australian specification and pricing will be locked-in closer to the HR-V’s arrival in the coming weeks, with dealer stock available for test drives from the beginning of April.