What's this then?
It's the HR-V, Honda's new compact SUV that'll go up against the likes of the Kia Sportage, new Hyundai Tucson and others when it arrives later this year. The European version of the HR-V makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in a couple of weeks and this is our first glimpse at the spec sheet.
What is it like for space?
The boot on the HR-V swallows 453 litres of luggage, ballooning to 1,026 litres with the seats folded away. Honda carries over its 'Magic seat system' from the Civic and Jazz, allowing users to set a variety of seating configurations for loading - the rear seat splits and folds 60:40. Three modes - 'utility', 'tall' and 'long' - allow the seats to be set in a flat-bed position, a full vertical position or a horizontal position respectively.
What about driver aids and technology?
The HR-V can be fitted with advanced driver assist systems including intelligent speed assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and high beam support system on Sport and Executive trim levels (i.e. just not the entry-level grade). They help the driver by reading the road around the car by using a camera and a mid-range radar system. Honda's city-brake active system will be fitted as standard on all trim levels of the HR-V.
Allowing the user to use the familiar pinch, swipe and tap functions of a smartphone the HR-V is fitted with an Android operating system, branded Honda Connect. This interface allows personalisation by the user. All HR-Vs are fitted with a touchscreen as standard, size dependent on the trim level chosen, five-inch for the Comfort model and seven-inch for Sport and Executive.
What engines can we expect in the UK?
A 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine producing 120hp and a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with 130hp powering the front wheels only will be made available from launch. Each engine can be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox whilst buyers of the petrol engine also have the option of a CVT automatic.
Expect to see the HR-V on UK roads by Summer of 2015 with prices to be announced closer to the the car's debut in March.
Nikolai Attard - 18 Feb 2015