The new Honda HR-V has been revealed to the world, and it's an improvement, whatever way you view it. Although the over-seas variant is definitively sleeker, the American market version is still a very impressive design.
The new HR-V transitions from the platform it had been using previously, now riding on the Civic platform. The wheelbase is considerably longer, and will likely result in benefitting from the great handling that defines the Civic. The engine will also almost certainly be confirmed as the Civic's 180 hp naturally aspirated inline-4. As expected, Front-Wheel-Drive will be standard, with the option of upgrading to AWD.
Honda has also hinted at a hybrid HR-V in the near future, likely slightly after the base model releases.
Unfortunately for us, we have not been shown any interior pictures at this point. You can probably expect the Civic infotainment system to feature though, which is a big win.
On the exterior design, the automotive world is largely in favor of the changes, as am I. My view is that every aspect of the HR-V, not least it's appearance, has evolved to one that has a defined personality, something that the previous generation lacked. A Car&Driver poll asked what readers thought of the exterior design, and 69% think it is 'more cleanly styled'.
All things considered, Honda have pulled off a big win here, even before anyone has driven it.
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Josiah Peters, MoreThanTransport.
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