Honda Australia has announced local pricing and specifications for the facelifted 2019 Honda HR-V. A mid-life update for the brand’s successful small SUV, the 2019 Honda HR-V update has ushered in updated styling, new equipment across the range and a new RS variant.
Purely a cosmetic update, the upgraded HR-V also includes autonomous emergency braking (under 30km/h) across the range – one of the first Hondas in Australia to do so – whilst its 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission remain unchanged. The 2019 Honda HR-V is in dealerships from August 1st.
Honda Australia Director Mr. Stephen Collins, said the refreshed HR-V lineup builds on the qualities that the car was first lauded for with improved safety, styling and sportiness all while retaining its unmatched versatility.
“The HR-V is one of the best cars we have brought to Australia in the last decade. Since launch it has consistently been in the top three of private sales for the small SUV segment year-on-year and we believe it to be the most complete small SUV available. The introduction of a new RS grade, builds on the Honda DNA of sporty styling and world-class engineering while ensuring there is no compromise on the comfort and versatility this car is known and loved for,” said Mr. Collins.
Honda Australia has chosen to expand the HR-V lineup for 2019, with four models (instead of three), including a sporty-styled RS model. The entry model remains the VTi, which is priced from an unchanged $24,990 plus on-road costs. Standard equipment levels have grown, with projector beam headlights with LED daytime running lights and low-speed autonomous emergency braking now standard equipment.
VTi equipment also includes a urethane steering wheel and gearknob, 16-inch alloy wheels, single-zone climate control air-conditioning, an electric handbrake with auto hold functionality, Honda’s Magic Seats rear seating, a customisable speed alarm and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with inbuilt satellite navigation and a reversing camera – though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring remain unavailable despite being offered on Japanese HR-V models.
Next up the 2019 Honda HR-V tree is the VTi-S, which is priced from an unchanged $27,990 plus on-road costs. The VTi-S adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, LED front foglamps, roof rails, rear parking sensors, keyless entry with push button start and extra chrome interior finishes. Honda’s LaneWatch passenger mirror-mounted lane change camera is standard on the VTi-S and above and makes a welcome return to the HR-V range after being deleted some time ago.
New to the HR-V range is the RS, which follows the Civic RS and is priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs including metallic paint. The HR-V RS adds 18-inch alloy wheels, black exterior details including the grille, mirror caps, badging and a bodykit, as well as heated leather seating, new variable gear ratio steering for improved dynacism and metal pedal covers.
Top of the HR-V lineup is the VTi-LX, priced from $34,590 plus on-road costs ($250 more than the previous VTi-L with the ADAS package). The VTi-LX adds the aforementioned ADAS package with automatic high beam, forward collision warning and lane departure warning – though Honda’s newer Honda Sensing package is unavailable on Australian-delivered HR-Vs thanks to our Thai production source. The VTi-LX also adds four automatic electric windows, a panoramic glass sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.
Unchanged from previous HR-V models is the 1.8-litre petrol engine, which produces 104kW of power at 6,500rpm and 172Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. It’s matched to a CVT automatic transmission, and uses 6.9L/100km of fuel on the combined cycle.
Honda Australia expects the 2019 upgrade to further bolster HR-V sales this year, which have increased 6.2 percent to 6,763 sales so far in 2018 against competitors such as the Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-3. Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for Honda news and reviews.
