Honda HR-V for early 2015

Honda has confirmed its important compact SUV, the HR-V, will be in dealerships nationally by February 2015. Forming a key part of the company's Australian sales goal of 60,000 units per annum, pricing for the new HR-V will be announced closer to its early 2015 launch but is expected to sit in the mid $20,000 bracket.

Based on the Honda Jazz, the HR-V compact SUV will be powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 105kW/172Nm -- larger than the Jazz's 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The Jazz engine is also less powerful, worth 88kW/145Nm, which means a low $20,000 price point for the HR-V looking less likely.

The HR-V's 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine has claimed fuel consumption of between 6.6L/100km and 6.9L/100km, suggesting both manual and automatic transmission will be offered. Neither have been confirmed.

First seen in Japan in late 2013, previewed as the Vezel concept, the car was later confirmed with the production name HR-V, reviving a name last seen in 2001.

Other key features of the new high-riding compact wagon include similar 'Magic Seats' to the Jazz, that can be folded and tumbled in 18 different configurations. This allows for bulky and long items to easily stowed.

The 2015 Honda HR-V will also mark the brand's debut of the City-Brake Active, an AEB (auto emergency brake) system. It works by monitoring vehicles in front of the car via a camera in the windscreen and can automatically brake the car if it detects a collision is imminent.

The cabin of the HR-V will be also get Honda's "advanced touch screen" system dubbed Display Audio. Already available in the Honda City, Jazz and Odyssey, it enables voice-activated Bluetooth streaming capability for Apple and Android devices, phone and audio/video.

Honda Australia's stated goal of reaching 60,000 units in the medium term, and around 40,000 units this year, is unlikely to happen. In the first nine months of 2014 Honda has sold 23,633 passenger vehicles, compared to 31,659 for the same period last year. All models except the Odyssey, City and CR-Z have gone backwards in sales, with some, such as the Civic, experiencing a drop of almost 50 per cent.

"The all-new HR-V is a very important model," said Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins.

"The HR-V will be positioned below the CR-V and complement our SUV line-up by offering versatility and practicality along with new safety technology, loads of features and of course a sporty, dynamic drive.

"We know consumers want more choice and we will offer that choice in the all-new HR-V, right into one of Australia’s fastest growing segments," said the Honda boss.