By Moses Akaigwe
The all-new Honda HR-V has a clean, sporty and expressive exterior design, featuring a bold new grille, longer hood and sleek roofline.
These and more are the alluring features the new HR-V is flaunting near the exit gate of the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, where it is turning the heads of arriving passengers..
Based on the Honda global architecture like the award-winning 11th generation Honda Civic, the HR-V is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance while still remaining sporty and personal.
The HR-V is the right size with the space and utility for an adventurous weekend escape, yet nimble to maneuver city streets, HR-V will feature a more responsive engine and a new independent rear suspension, giving the compact SUV a more confident, refined and fun-to-drive personality.
“By gaining aspirational qualities beyond its segment, the all-new Honda HR-V will welcome a new generation of customers to Honda and grow in importance as a gateway to the Honda brand. The new HR-V will advance its position as the segment leader with young buyers, first-time buyers, and multicultural customers, “ remarked
Inspired by the thrill of new experiences, HR-V’s design is ambitious with a strong sense of adventure. A low horizontal beltline that begins with its extended hood and continues over the swell of the rear fenders gives its flowing forms a sense of motion. Wide-set LED headlights and taillights emphasize HR-V’s athletic stance. A sculpted hatch and functional tailgate spoiler highlight its sporty proportions.
A large greenhouse provides excellent visibility, enhanced by door-mounted mirrors and HR-V’s low cowl. For a cleaner, upscale look, laser-brazing technology eliminates the need for roof moldings, and HR-V’s windshield wipers hide under the hood line when not in use.
The next-generation HR-V achieves a distinctive SUV presence in a compact coupe-inspired design. The new model embodies the brand’s seamless, clean, modern design philosophy seen in other recent new Honda models, that follows the key concepts of function and beauty.
The design includes a new bold integrated grille, while the body shape incorporates a long bonnet and sharper, more vertical sides to ensure there is no impact on interior space. The bonnet centre is low and flat, with a shoulder line that flows to the base of the A-pillars, projecting a sense of stability and security that further enhances the SUV aesthetic.
The all-new HR-V achieves a compelling combination of premium SUV styling and exceptional spaciousness thanks to the clever packaging components. As a result, the HR-V retains its predecessor’s class-leading interior space.
As with the exterior, the spacious interior has a solid, premium SUV feel, but with contemporary and soft-touch materials. The modern minimalist aesthetic, which is initiated by the horizontal sweep of the instrument panel, is the result of an uncluttered interior and dashboard, with each element carefully positioned to contribute to the sense of space.
Thanks to Honda’s compact, integrated powertrain technology and centre tank layout, the all-new HR-V also retains the versatile Magic Seats that offer both ‘fold-flat’ or ‘flip-up’ seat flexibility, depending on cargo space required.