2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV hybrid revealed, to be launched in April [Update]

Update: A new batch of the US-spec 2022 Honda HR-V’s spy pictures have come out, and carscoops.com is one of the outlets carrying them. The final section of the story about the 2022 Honda HR-V now contains our observations made from the images.

《次号予告》SCOOP！新型ヴェゼルの派生SUV、撮れた！
We’ve caught the new SUV coming from Honda.#ホンダ　#ヴェゼル　#honda #vezel https://t.co/uGkHHa3SVA

— MagX（ニューモデルマガジンX） (@CyberMagazineX) February 24, 2021

The highly anticipated 2022 Honda HR-V (2021 Honda Vezel) debuted in Japan on the 18th of last month. The new small SUV comes fitted with an e:HEV hybrid system almost across the entire range in its first market, where sales begin in April this year.

2022 Honda HR-V design

Video Courtesy: Moter World

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 sportier 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.

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 that is 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 respectively for the rear passengers. The look of the rear-end is totally opposite of the front and sides, featuring an extremely rakish windscreen for that sporty look that is typical of SUV-coupes. Like the headlamps, the rear combination clusters are sleek, and also connected, giving the vehicle a bolder styling.

As for the interior, the Honda HR-V has gone on a diet to free up more space and look poised. The sleeker dashboard has a major contribution to this, and the freestanding central display being the immediate next in the list. Repeating customers will appreciate the new dual-zone climate control panel that has 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.

2022 Honda HR-V features

The 2022 Honda HR-V is equipped with a plethora of new features aimed at attracting 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, hidden rear door handles, and full-width LED rear lights.

Main interior equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, 9-inch Honda Connect touchscreen infotainment system and Honda digital key support, and wireless charger. Unlike many other latest small SUVs, the 2022 Honda HR-V does not have a configurable virtual instrument panel or a head-up display. Depending on the trim, the traditional instrument panel comprises either a 4.2- or 7-inch driver information display.

The global 2022 HR-V will reach Japanese Honda showrooms this April in four trims, one gasoline (G FWD/AWD) and three gasoline-electric hybrid (X FWD/AWD, Z FWD/AWD, and Play FWD).

2022 Honda HR-V colors

2022 Honda HR-V specs

The gas-powered 2022 Honda HR-V G will reportedly make use of a newly developed 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2022 Honda HR-V Hybrid X/Z/Play is said to feature the powertrain that combines the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine and two electric motors and produces 109 PS (107 hp) in the Mk4 Honda Fit. However, it will reportedly have a higher capacity battery pack.

USA & Canada to get the enlarged version of the 2022 Honda HR-V

With the previous generation Honda Fit exiting the U.S. market without a replacement, the next-gen Honda HR-V is a crucial launch for the Japanese brand. The version of the HR-V covered this story is what markets across the globe get this year, 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.

The US-spec 2022 Honda HR-V would be more than just new fascias and wheels. Spy pictures show that it will be a different model, one that is longer and bulkier than the global version. The US-spec 2022 Honda HR-V has such design and dimensions that some may take it for a next-gen CR-V from a distance.

The US-spec 2022 HR-V features unique headlamps in a design quite close to those of the current version. A full-width strip, possibly LED DRL, passes through the upper portion of the headlamps. Chunkier radiator grille inserts further distinguish the US-spec from the global car. The hood of the North American version appears to be longer. The greater length of its body is clearly evident from the sides, where unlike the global car, it features a quarter glass as well.

The roofline tapers out gently to achieve a proper SUV’s stance and maximize boot volume. The tail lamps feature sharp C-shaped outer ends and are totally different from those of the global model. All in all, the US-spec 2022 Honda HR-V is clearly a family-hauler emphasizing space and practicality over looks.

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 said the same about their next-gen HR-V, replacing “U.S. customers” with “Canadians”. Now that we have the first sighting of the North American specification, expect more details to follow in the coming months on the adaptations in store, particularly in the cabin.

2022 Honda HR-V FAQs

Featured Image Source: Honda