Honda Malaysia has officially launched the Honda HR-V facelift, and the refreshed SUV – which was first previewed here in July last year – goes on sale here in four variant forms. Three are petrol units, the range starting with the base Grade E, followed by a Grade V, and topping out with the RS. The fourth variant is the HR-V Hybrid, with Malaysia being the only country besides Japan to retail the model.

As previously reported, the mid-cycle rework introduces a number of exterior revisions, and changes include a new grille, featuring a thicker bar on which the Honda logo sits, along with new reflector-type full-LED headlamps, a reprofiled bumper and LED fog lamps. The rear end gets a new horizontal chrome link strip on the tailgate linking the tail lights, which now feature tube-type LED guides.


The RS adds on a sportier outlook with darkened contrast elements such as dark chrome door handles, black chrome license garnish and gloss black side sills and black fog lamp garnish. It’s also slightly longer and wider than the standard variants and rides on 18-inch two-tone five-spoke wheels and 225/50 series tyres (the E, V and Hybrid ride on 17-inch alloys, wrapped with 215/55 tyres).

Boot space – for all the petrol variants – is 437 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to 1,032 with the seats folded. The hybrid gets a slightly smaller boot, volume on this one being 404 litres with the rear seats up and 991 litres with the rear bench folded down. Unlike the petrol version, the hybrid doesn’t come with a spare tyre but a temporary tyre repair kit.


No change to engine and transmission on the petrol versions, with the familiar 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine – offering 142 PS at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,300 rpm – and CVT continuing to hold court. The only mechanical addition of note is a new Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering system, which is specific to the RS variant.

As for the HR-V hybrid, it’s equipped with the automaker’s Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent dual-clutch drive) powertrain as seen on the Jazz Hybrid. This combines an Atkinson-cycle 1.5 litre twin-cam i-VTEC engine and a 30 PS/160 Nm electric motor, with a Blue Energy lithium-ion traction battery supplying power, the combo paired with a seven-speed (dry) dual-clutch automatic transmission.


The output from the mill itself is up from that seen on the Jazz, the unit delivering 132 PS at 6,600 rpm and 156 Nm at 4,600 rpm. Combined with the output from the electric motor, the system produces a total output of 152 PS and 190 Nm, slightly higher than the petrol-only HR-V. As standard, all variants come equipped with smart entry/push button ignition, automatic air-conditioning, auto headlights, daytime running lights, cruise control, paddle shifters, steering wheel audio controls and four speakers for the audio system, among others.

The Grade E and Hybrid feature halogen headlights (with manual levelling) and bulbed front fog lamps, and inside, a split-leather three-spoke steering wheel and black half-leather upholstery, along with a 6.8-inch audio system display screen.


The V and RS adds on LED headlights (with auto levelling), LED front fog lamps and a different LED configuration to the tail lamps (guides instead of direct LEDs on the E and Hybrid). They also get a full leather steering wheel and full leather upholstery, finished in black in the case of the V and ivory in the RS, which also has dark grey contrast trim. Both variants also come with a 7.0-inch audio display screen and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

In terms of safety, the HR-V now comes as standard with six airbags (dual front, side and side curtain), which was previously available only on the top V trim level on the pre-facelift. Also on, an emergency stop signal (ESS), vehicle stability assist (VSA) and hill start assist (HSA) and a multi-angle rearview camera as standard across the model range. The V and RS get a Honda LaneWatch blind spot camera.


As for colours, five shades are available for the HR-V 1.8L E and V – these are a new Passion Red Pearl, White Orchid Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and Ruse Black Metallic. The RS gets three colours – Passion Red Pearl, White Orchid Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic. The hybrid HR-V will also be available in three colours, but there’s no red in the mix, the choices being Lunar Silver Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic.

The HR-V facelift variants are priced as follows:
  • HR-V 1.8L E – RM 108,800
  • HR-V 1.8L V – RM 118,800
  • HR-V 1.8L RS – RM 124,800
  • HR-V Sport Hybrid i-DCD – RM 120,800

All prices are on-the-road without insurance, and opting for the White Orchid Pearl adds on RM 300 to the final price. Honda Malaysia continues to offer an eight-year warranty – with unlimited mileage – for the Hybrid battery. Three accessories packages are also available for the HR-V facelift, and these are a Modulo Package (RM 5,737), Urban Package (RM 1,716) and Utility Package (RM 902).