Honda has started testing the 2018 Honda HR-V on the public roads in Malaysia, spy shots published by Paultan have revealed. The country could be one of the first markets to receive the HR-V facelift.
The second-gen Honda HR-V arrived in 2013 as the brand’s new small SUV and is a very successful model globally. At the front, the lines bulging through the masking indicate that the facelifted Honda HR-V will get a sportier bumper. Honda will likely position the ‘H’ logo higher up and make it bigger for a more imposing look. Revised headlamp graphics will also be present. Visual tweaks to the grille and fog lamp housing will be present as well.
At the rear, no changes are apparent from the spy pictures. The tail lamps are partially visible seem unchanged visually. Inside, Honda may offer new trim and upholstery and an upgraded infotainment system, but drastic visual changes aren’t expected.
Honda may bring changes to the Honda Sensing suite with new/upgraded advanced safety and driver assistance technologies. The company may expand the availability of Honda Sensing to more markets globally. If recent trends are anything to by, Japan will get Honda Sensing as standard in the facelifted Honda Vezel. Honda Sensing is standard in even the Honda N-Box kei car now.
The current Honda HR-V is available with 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol, 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel and 1.5-litre i-VTEC+i-DCD hybrid (petrol-electric) powertrains. It’s unknown whether Honda plans to make any changes to the powertrain line-up or enhancements to the existing units.
Also Read: Honda to release dedicated hybrid car in November 2018
The 2018 Honda HR-V will go on sale internationally next year. HCIL is in the process of finalizing bringing the Honda HR-V to India. If the plan is greenlit, then the launch could take place in 2019. However, it may not be a wise move to bring a product close to the end of its lifecycle.
[Image Source: Paultan]
