SPY PICS: New Honda HR-V spotted

The next-generation Honda HR-V has been spotted for the first time undergoing testing in Europe ahead of its global premiere later this year.

Set to take on the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross, top-selling Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona and Nissan Qashqai, Honda’s small SUV will get a new look and a comprehensively upgraded cabin with considerably enhanced technology that will usher in a bigger touch-screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

More efficient engines, including a mild-hybrid variant, will also be part of the next-generation Honda HR-V, which could arrive in Australia later this year.

A close look at this first batch of spy shots shows the new 2021 Honda HR-V to be bigger and bolder, with the front-end design featuring slimline LED headlight clusters similar to those seen on the latest Honda Civic.

The assertive front face has a square, upright jaw more akin to a Volkswagen Tiguan than a traditional Honda SUV.

The redesign also includes what appears to be a slightly larger grille, a sportier body kit, bigger alloy wheels within flared wheel-arches, and a svelte new rear-end design.

Indeed, the rump of the 2021 Honda HR-V shows off a heavily-angled rear windscreen in the vein of coupe-like SUVs, pioneered by the BMW X6.

Despite the angled tailgate, occupant space and boot space are expected to rise thanks to an increase in wheelbase length and in other key dimensions. In a similar vein to the headlights, the tail-lights also appear to be thinner and sleeker this time around.

After seven years on sale, the Honda HR-V has been a strong showroom performer for Honda in Australia as its second best-selling model behind the larger Honda CR-V.

While sales slumped by 30 per cent in 2020, the HR-V was still at the pointy end of the small SUV category.

Unlike the Honda Jazz and City small cars which will be discontinued in Australia, the Honda HR-V will remain a key model for the brand when it undergoes a massive retail reorganisation from July this year, switching from a traditional franchise operation to an agency business model where customers won’t be able to haggle on the price at the dealership.

Honda has argued that the current franchise model in place is “broken” and needs fixing, but its restructuring will see sales fall with the pared-back range and has prompted several Honda dealers to take the car-maker to court.