2015 Honda HR-V Is Officially Launched In Malaysia. From RM100k, In 3 Variants

Having already debuted one new SUV earlier this year, here is Honda Malaysia at it again: this time with an all-new model, the 2015 Honda HR-V.

Much has been previewed by Honda Malaysia recently, with even public road shows giving way to members of the public the opportunity to get up close to the vehicle also known as the Honda Vezel in other parts of the world. But at long last, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: prices! (OTR with insurance):

• 2015 Honda HR-V 1.8 S Grade: RM99,800
• 2015 Honda HR-V 1.8 E Grade: RM108,800
• 2015 Honda HR-V 1.8 V Grade: RM118,800

KEY COMPETITOR PRICES (OTR with insurance):

• 2014 Ford EcoSport 1.5L: RM92,888 to RM103,888
• 2014 Peugeot 2008 1.6L: RM119,888

Buyer’s Guide:

Up to 1,500 units of the HR-V have been booked already, but if you haven’t had the chance to get personal with the car yet, fret not, you can visit it in showrooms across the nation already. Essentially, the 2015 Honda HR-V is a Honda Jazz/ City based vehicle, upsized to the dimensions of the currently trending compact SUV: much like the Ford EcoSport and the Peugeot 2008, which are effectively ‘upsized’ Fiestas and 208s respectively – two models the HR-V will largely compete with in the local market.

But unlike the Jazz and City duo, the HR-V packs a more powerful engine altogether: utilising its 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with seven automatically-shifting virtual ratios (similar to Jazz/City).

Five different body colours are available for the Honda HR-V, which include Ruse Black Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Taffeta White and Crystal Black Pearl.

Just like the Honda CR-V facelift that was introduced not too long ago, the HR-V’s price also includes a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with six-free labour services (alternating with paid service up till 100,000km). Also, the regular service interval has been extended to 10,000km.

Smaller than a CR-V, more spacious and riding taller than a Jazz/City, here is the all-new Honda HR-V.

KEY SPECS:

• Engine: 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC, four-cylinder, petrol
• Transmission: Earth Dreams automatic CVT with seven virtual ratios
• Power: 142PS @ 6,500rpm
• Torque: 172Nm @ 4,300rpm

Performance:

As mentioned, a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine is called for duty in all variants of the Malaysian-spec HR-V, which are also paired with Honda’s updated Earth Dreams auto CVT transmission. The 1.8-litre HR-V’s performance stands firmly above its most direct competitors on paper, the Ford EcoSport and Peugeot 2008, which utilise smaller displacements of 1.5-litres and 1.6-litres respectively.

If you’re wondering, yes, this is the same 1.8-litre petrol engine found in today’s Honda Civic, but its transmission is what you’d find on the Jazz/City twins.

Exterior Styling:

Pretty, isn’t it? That’s the general consensus on our end. But if we must be specific as to what makes the HR-V look as good as it does, here goes.

Borrowing cues from its siblings, the HR-V looks to have employed all that we’ve liked about recent Honda models, and crammed it into what appears to be a very coupe-esque silhouette. But don’t be fooled: unconventionally, the rear door handles are positioned on the vehicle’s C-pillars, which makes this a full-fledged four-door, five-seater.

But of course, a lot of the HR-V’s best bits are found only on the highest-spec Grade V variant, which has been uniquely equipped with full LED headlamps and daytime running lights (halogens for S, E) and chrome outer door handles. The mid-spec HR-V Grade E shares the same side mirrors with turn signals as the top-spec Grade V.

For wheels, all of the three HR-V variants get 16-inch alloy wheels, but show in different styles. There are also several Modulo exterior upgrade packages that Honda Malaysia are offering to go with the HR-V, and you can find them listed out below.

Interior Design:

The overall design inside the HR-V may look familiar to you already, with a lot of the Jazz/ City’s traits found here: touch-panel air-conditioning controls, three-spoke steering with audio control buttons, seven-inch touchscreen display and more. Of course, these are available according to variant, which we’ll show you better below.

Unique here is a cabin that’s slightly larger than the current Honda Jazz – despite feeling a little more snug-fit, Honda’s engineer’s tell us that things like shoulder, head and legroom do in fact measure slightly larger than the Jazz’s figures. What may cause feeling, we believe, is in the way the cabin is designed to wrap around you.

Another unique item found in the HR-V is the front passenger side air-conditioning vent, which is a three-vent design upon closer inspection, but designed to look like one long vent stretched across the dashboard.

The center console is another thing that’s completely new to us here in the Malaysian-market. Its curved shapes that run alongside the gear lever are useful makeshift storage slots (not very deep, but still fit for a pen or three), while underneath the floating console itself is a further storage compartment, where you’ll find the sockets for things like the car’s HDMI, AUX and USB connectivity (depending on variant): neat place to stash your mobile phone and other valuables away from prying eyes.

The seats are as per the ever-versatile ‘Ultra Seats’ arrangement found in the Honda Jazz, but aren’t officially called as such by Honda here, possibly due to the lack of just one of the Jazz's four utility modes (Refresh is missing). Still, you get Utility Mode, Tall Mode, and Long Mode from what Honda calls a Multi-Utility Cargo Space.

Here’s how the spec and features highlights stack up by variant:

HR-V Grade S:

• Keyless Entry
• ECON Mode
• Urethane Steering, Gear Knob
• Fabric Seats (Black)
• Manual Air-Conditioning
• Standard Audio
• Four Speakers
• AUX Socket
• USB Socket (1)

HR-V Grade E (adds to/ replaces the above)

• Smart Entry with Push Start Button
• Single-zone Auto Air-Conditioning
• Five-inch Monitor Audio system
• USB Socket (2)
• Hands-Free Telephone Steering Switch Control

HR-V Grade V (adds to/ replaces the above)

• Cruise Control
• Multi-Angle Rear View Camera
• Half-Leather Upholster (Black)
• Leather Steering Wheel, Gear Knob
• Vanity Mirror With Illumination (front driver, passenger)
• Seven-inch Display Audio
• Six Speakers
• HDMI Socket (1)
• Voice Recognition Steering Switch Control

Safety Features:

The 2015 Honda HR-V is impressively equipped with a barrage of safety features, and there’s nearly no faulting the beast for its generously even spread across all variants. However, the only difference between them is the fact that only the range-topping Grade V variant benefits from the maximum six airbags, while the rest have to settle for two apiece (front SRS). To sort of compensate, we image, all HR-V variants will share  highlights such as:

• 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating (Grade V only)
• Reverse Sensors
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Hill-Start Assist
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Electronic Brake Distribution
• Brake Assist
• Electric Parking Brake
• Automatic Brake Hold
• Security Alarm with Ultrasonic Sensor
• Rear Sear ISOFIX

Optional Packages:

You didn’t think Honda Malaysia would leave you hanging without letting you spruce up your vehicle with some optional Modulo extras, did you? Four different exterior (2) and interior (2) packages are available for you to choose from, and they are:

Sport Aero Package (Exterior): RM3,950 (save RM450)

• Front Aero Bumper (RM1,350)
• Side Under Spoiler (RM1,500)
• Door Mirror Garnish (RM200)
• Rear Aero Bumper (RM1,350)

Tough Advance Package (Exterior): RM3,800 (save RM420)

• Front Lower Garnish (RM650)
• Front Bumper Garnish (RM370)
• Running Board (RM2,100)
• Rear Lower Garnish (RM650)
• Rear Bumper Garnish (RM450)

Smart Utility Package (Interior) RM1,650 (save RM150)

• Trunk Tray (RM220)
• Auto Dim Rear View Mirror (RM1,130)
• Trunk Organiser (RM100)
• Cargo Step Protector (RM350)

Urbane Utility Package (Interior) RM1,550 (save RM150)

• Front Foot Light (RM450)
• Illuminated Side Step (RM650)
• Sports Pedal (RM200)
• Door Visor (RM400)

For more test drives, news and reviews of the 2015 Honda HR-V, feel free to check out our dedicated INFO HUB page.

Watch the our video coverage of the all-new Honda HR-V launch here: