Honda HR-V compact SUV confirmed for Australia – arrives 2015

Honda Australia has announced the name of the small SUV bound for our shores in early 2015; the all-new HR-V.

“The launch of the HR-V will boost the range of vehicles Honda offers in Australia and attract buyers in the small SUV market to the Honda brand,” said Honda Australia Director, Mr. Stephen Collins.

“The first-generation HR-V was sold here from 1999 to 2001. It featured a super-clean 1.6 litre four cylinder engine and was known as a Low Emission Vehicle because it achieved 80 percent less emissions than Australian regulations at the time.

“It is fitting that the new small SUV will take the HR-V moniker as Honda enters the country’s fastest growing segment with a red-hot competitor. The HR-V is built on the new Jazz platform and will offer sporty, versatile characteristics. It will provide customers with a wider choice in the SUV market, complementing Honda’s medium SUV offering; the popular CR-V.”

The original HR-V was one of the first small SUVs in Australia, winning fans for its great driving dynamics in city traffic and on the open road. More than 5,000 were sold in Australia. The new HR-V will continue where the first left off and is sure to surprise and delight customers when it arrives in Australia in early 2015.

Dubbed the ‘Urban SUV’ in concept form, the production model of the new small SUV was launched as the Vezel in Japan in late 2013 and was based on the next-generation Honda Jazz platform.