The Honda HR-V is an ideal vehicle for the moment. It’s small and fuel-efficient at a time of soaring gas prices but has the high driving position and added cargo room of the SUVs Americans love. With Honda’s traditional strong resale value, the little crossover could easily win new popularity. What a time for Honda to release an improved one.
An all-new HR-V will make its public debut on April 4.
We know little about Honda’s next subcompact SUV. Honda yesterday released a teaser photo showing part of the tailgate, which gives few clues to the new styling. We can see a thin LED taillight — a trend every automaker has embraced this year as LEDs are becoming cost-effective even on budget cars.
Previously, Honda has released stylized renderings showing a sleeker, sportier look. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a power boost as well, as either or both 4-cylinder engines found on the new 2022 Civic could easily migrate to the smaller 2023 HR-V.
Honda says designers created the new model specifically for the U.S. market. Outside the States, Honda sells the HR-V under the name Vezel. For this newest generation, the company says, it has split the global model into two — an HR-V specifically for the U.S. market and a Vezel outside of it. What that means, precisely, we expect to learn in two weeks.
