Update: The latest 2021 Honda HR-V has been revealed as a compact hybrid crossover. Although this car is not the same with its predecessors in many ways (hint: sportier outlook), we can still see some of the classic HR-V features sprinkled here and there. It is also revealed to be a hybrid only variant.
Image Source : Honda.co.jp
Moving on to the exterior styling of this car – Marketed in Japan as Vezel, the Honda HR-V 2021 is very much different from the classic HR-V, as it is more coupelike with a forward leaning rear hatch. It also looks wider and more angular thanks to the tall, wide headlights and the more vertical nose and with the numerous diagonal lines gone, this car looks way cleaner compared to the classic. You won’t be able to see the “Solid Wing Face” slatted grille as the slats appear to blend into the body work to “enhance the sense of unity with the body”.
Image Source : Honda.co.jp
Inside, the design is based on the HMI (Human Machine Interface) concept. The meter and audio panel are laid out in a way that while you drive, you can also still enjoy the view. The switches are also arranged in a position that can be reached naturally without moving too much, enabling a smooth drive without interruption to the line of sight and flow of movement. Comfort is taken to a whole new level with the latest HR-V. Passengers are given a clear view of everything, inside and out and with the Panorama Roof with Natural Light (non-opening) and rear air conditioning vents, you will feel as if the inside and outside of the car are one.
Image Source : Honda.co.jp
Pulling from the old HR-V again, the back seat still has the versatile split fold-down and flip-up functions. Exact dimensions for the interior and exterior have not been provided, though, so we’re not sure how much larger the new HR-V is.
This 2021 HR-V will be powered by the same 1.5 litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine and CVT as its previous models although the exact numbers are yet to be released. It will also feature the e:HEV hybrid powertrain which uses an electric motor to do most of the driving and the petrol engine to charge the battery.
Image Source : Honda.co.jp
In Japan, where it is said to be released in April, this car will feature Honda Sensing suite of safety features. Some of the features that have been improved in terms of performance includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition. There’s no exact date on when we would be able to see this latest HR-V in Malaysia, but the excitement of seeing this car soon is enough to keep us going.
Hybrid Cars Vs Petrol Cars
In the past, petrol was our only option to fuel up our cars, but now, we have more choices. You can now purchase cars that are powered by electricity or vehicles that use both electricity and traditional fuel like petrol, also known as hybrid cars. In this article, we will be making a comparison of the Honda HR-V which is available in both variants – Normal petrol-powered car and a Hybrid car.
But before that, do you know that no type is better than the other as each of this type has its own disadvantages and advantages. Here are just a few.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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| Hybrid Cars | The main advantage of driving hybrid cars is that they are more environmentally friendly. As these cars combine fuel with electric, they have lower emissions than regular petrol cars do. Also, they tend to have better gas mileage too. Offering the power of a regular engine, but more energy efficient, hybrids are great for the environment. Not only that, but you can also save on the cost of fuel. | While hybrid cars have their advantages, these cars have a couple of disadvantages too. Firstly, as hybrid cars are smaller and more lightweight, they do not tend to handle as well as regular petrol cars do. Hybrids are also more costly to buy and maintain than regular cars are and as hybrids are built to be more efficient and economical, they are not as fast as regular cars. |
| Petrol Cars | Petrol vehicles are the most popular cars on the market. They’ve been around the longest and offer many benefits over all the other type of cars. The main advantage of petrol cars is that they are generally cheaper to purchase and maintain and also tend to handle better and are extremely efficient when it comes to speed. | Petrol is quite expensive, so fueling a patrol car is usually more expensive. The main disadvantage, however, of petrol cars is that they are not particularly energy efficient, and they are not particularly good for the environment either. |
Honda HR-V VS Honda HR-V Hybrid
Engine and Performance
Honda HR-V – This car is perfect if you are looking for a fuss-free compact SUV for grocery runs and to pick up the kids from school. It comes with a 1.8-litre petrol SOHC i-VTEC engine – offering 142 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,300 rpm and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also comes equipped with paddle shift, smart entry with push start button and cruise control.
Honda HR-V Hybrid – This car is equipped with automaker’s Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent dual-clutch drive) powertrain. This combines an Atkinson-cycle 1.5 litre twin-cam i-VTEC engine and a 22 kW (30 PS)/160 Nm electric motor, with a Blue Energy lithium-ion traction battery supplying power, the combo paired with a seven-speed (dry) dual-clutch automatic transmission. Combined with the output from the electric motor, the system produces a total output of 152 PS and 190 Nm, slightly higher than the petrol-only HR-V.
Price, Warranty and Colour
| Honda HR-V | Honda HR-V Hybrid | |
| Price | RM 108,800 | Rm 120, 800 |
| Warranty | 5 Year Warranty (with unlimited mileage) | 8 Year Warranty (unlimited mileage) |
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Interior and Exterior
| Honda HR- V | Honda HR-V Hybrid | |
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Safety
Both the Honda HR-V variants come with the advanced safety features you can expect from a classy SUV: six airbags, multi-angle rear-view camera, Electric Parking Brake, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) feature and your usual Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and the Auto Brake Hold (ABH) function.
One additional safety feature that is available on the Honda HR-V but not on the Hybrid variant is the LaneWatch system that helps you reduce blind spots on the passenger side so that you can change lanes safely. Any time you flick your signals, the cameras will turn on at the multi-entertainment display, so that you know when is the perfect time for you to switch lanes.
As you can see from this comparison, the difference between a hybrid car and a normal car is not that much. Apart from the obvious difference like the engine performance and the price, both these variants are available with similar features. It all boils down to the type of car that you would like to drive. If you like something fast, you should opt for the Honda HR-V but if you are looking at a car with fuel efficiency, then the Honda HR-V Hybrid is made just for that.
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