The small crossover segment is picking up major momentum with several major players. Honda is jumping in with introduction of the 2016 Honda HR-V to North America at the 2014 LA Auto Show on November 19th.
Not a lot of details are known, but Honda stated that the HR-V shares some design elements with the recently released 2015 Honda Fit. Namely, the center fuel tank design and Honda’s Magic Seat second row that can be folded down or up. The HR-V will be build along side the Fit at Honda’s new factory in Mexico. Honda has labeled the small crossover as both 2015 and 2016 on its website, so perhaps there are some logistics delays and it will most likely come to market in the latter part of 2015 calendar year as a 2016 model.
TFLcar already sampled the clever and spacious design on the 2015 Honda Fit. The Fit is small on the outside and deceivingly cavernous on the inside for both passengers and cargo. Now, the HR-V is several inches longer than the Fit, employs the same interior design magic, and adds AWD to the equation. The HR-V has smaller exterior dimensions than the CR-V, but is also larger and heavier than the Honda Fit. The 1.5L 130 horsepower four-cylinder may or may not be enough to power the littlest crossover in the stable. Honda may use the bigger 1.8L 143 horsepower four from the Civic or the 2.4L 185 hp four from the CR-V. This information is still not announced.
The new Honda Fit is a very useful little car, but the added benefit of a little more length and AWD from the HR-V could make it a better ‘fit’ for many buyers. If given a choice between the Fit and the HR-V, the HR-V is a more attractive prospect for me without even seeing it in person.
TFLcar is going to Los Angeles for the 2014 LA Auto Show, so you can expect detailed coverage.
Here is a fun and informative TFLcar review of the 2015 Honda Fit.
Also, check out the Honda Urban SUV Concept from the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been writing and reporting at TFL since 2011.
