CompleteCar

Honda revives the HR-V

Small SUV confirmed for US this winter; due in Europe 2015.


Honda has revealed a new baby SUV for the US market and it's wearing a nameplate we last saw in 2006: HR-V. This hasn't been confirmed for Europe as yet but we'd be very surprised if it doesn't return to our shores with the same badging.

The HR-V was launched at the New York Auto Show alongside the Fit, which is going on sale in the US. We know this car as the Jazz, of course, meaning the US market is clearly becoming more and more important for the sales of smaller cars. Honda says the all-new Jazz and baby SUV will be launched in Europe in 2015, with more details on specification, engines and that nameplate decision confirmed closer to the time. As the first generation HR-V was based on the Logo city car (and not the Civic, like the bigger CR-V always has been), the new machine is built on the Jazz floorpan. We do know that the car will have a centre-line fuel tank to ensure there's masses of space inside, and it will also have the Magic Seats seen in the Civic, which allow for multiple seating configurations and the ability to fold the back bench completely flat for added cargo space.

Anything else?
All cars in both product lines destined for US buyers will be built at a new North American manufacturing facility in Celaya, Mexico, but European HR-Vs (or whatever they're going to be called) will most likely be built in Japan, as that's where Jazzes for our market are put together.

Written by
Published on April 18, 2014