December 1, 2014

UPDATED: Thailand Motor Expo 2014: Honda Launches 2015 HR-V, Brio-Based Wagon (w/ Video)

Photos by Ulysses Ang
UPDATE 2: This is how the Honda HR-V squares up against the competition. (6/9)

UPDATE 1: Honda Cars Philippines just launched the HR-V for the Philippines. (6/7)

Readying its assault in the growing sub-compact crossover segment, Honda finally pulled the wraps off the Jazz-based HR-V at the 31st Bangkok Motor Expo 2014. Dubbed the “Premium Sport Crossover”, the HR-V gets a unique powertrain configuration for the Thai market which will most likely be carried over to the rest of the ASEAN region.

Despite being based off the Jazz sub-compact hatchback, the all-new 2015 HR-V swaps out the 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine for the 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine shared with the current model Civic. As such, the HR-V generates a healthy 141 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 172 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. Unique to the HR-V though is that this engine is mated to a CVT transmission.

The premium-ness of the HR-V starts with its exterior design with features such as LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and a panoramic moonroof as available features. All models of the HR-V regardless of trim level ride on 215/55R17 tires. With a dimension measuring (LxWxH, in mm): 4,294 x 1,772 x 1,605, the HR-V is certainly larger than the Ford EcoSport. In fact, it is larger than both the Jazz and City, It comfortably sits in the same range as the newly launched Mazda CX-3 and the Subaru XV as well. Differentiating the HR-V from the CR-V is that the former is solely available in front-wheel drive.


Available tech features in the HR-V include 6 airbags, an electronic parking brake, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and  a multi-view rear parking camera.

Inside, the all-new HR-V is poised to bring a much more luxurious experience with a multi-function instrument cluster with changeable display colors, a push-button engine start/stop system with Smart Key entry, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, HDMI mirroring, and Bluetooth hands-free among the list of available features. Like the Jazz and City, the HR-V also benefits from the intuitive Touch Panel audio display system. And despite its small footprint, it also promises stellar luggage space thanks to the very same ULTR (Utility, Long, Tall, Relax) seats found in the Jazz.

In Thailand, the all-new 2015 Honda HR-V retails for between 890,000 Thai Baht (P 1,200,000~) to 1,045,000 Thai Baht (P 1,430,000~)

The all-new 2015 Honda HR-V is expected to make its Philippine market debut sometime next year.


Another new addition to Honda’s line-up in Thailand is the all-new Mobilio, a Brio-based wagon boasting three rows of seats. With an expanded length of 4,386 mm and a wheelbase of 2,652 mm, the Mobilio features either seating for either 5 adults plus luggage or seating for 7 with no luggage. In terms of size, it certainly puts itself within the Chevy Spin / Suzuki Ertiga / Toyota Avanza class.

For power, the Mobilio swaps out the 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine in the Brio for the more potent 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine good for 120 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Likewise, the transmission has been changed to an option between a 5-speed manual or CVT.

There’s currently no news whether Honda Cars Philippines will bring in the Mobilio for the Philippine market, but given the high growth of the entry-level MPV segment, they could certainly consider bringing it in only if the price is right.

22 comments:

  1. 1 word suggestion for honda...DIESEL!

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  2. If Honda Philippines prices it that high it is going to compete more against the Korean compact SUVs rather than the smaller EcoSport. Many buyers would rather get a larger vehicle with less features (the Kia Sportage CRDI is within that bracket), so hopefully there will be a stripped-down variant like they have in Indonesia.

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    1. A base variant automatic transmission CR-V is more expensive in Thailand at 1200000 Baht.

      Given that the base HR-V is 890000 Baht and the equivalent CR-V in the Philippines is 1340000 Pesos, a simple conversion would lead to a rough base model HR-V price in the Philippines of 993833 Pesos.

      That competes directly against the Ford EcoSport Titanium. The highest grade HR-V could still be a tough sell against a larger base model compact crossover though.

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    2. The Ecosport is no match for this HRV even if their price is close. Ford's 1.5L Fiesta engine is clunky compared to the velvety smooth 1.8L Civic engine. Its Honda hands down.

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  3. @ulysses, any news on Toyota Fortuner? Hiace? any new model, engine specs? Thanks!

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  4. Good car, only if it weren't so overpriced.

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    1. The Titanium is overpriced with that clunky Fiesta 1.5L engine.

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  5. Those prices are typical Honda pricing, overprice. Even stripping some equipment for our market won't make it affordable here to compete with cheaper alternative like the Ecosport. Honda probably think that this one is for their new segment called sub-compact luxury. That's kinda funny.

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  6. There's a mid variant of the HR-V that has the same features as that of the EcoSport Titanium, 2 airbags instead of 6, maybe omission of the rear view camera and the electronic parking brake while retaining the 7 inch Touch Panel infotainment. Might have a price that is a little bit more expensive than the EcoSport Titanium

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  7. I am certain many avoided the EcoSport purely because of the perceived idiosyncrasies of maintaining Ford vehicles or simple brand loyalty to Honda. They should capitalize on this by providing a 1.5 liter engine option:

    http://paultan.org/2014/09/19/iims-2014-honda-hr-v-asean-debut/

    Honda Philippines shouldn't be afraid of facing the EcoSport head-on. They are not a luxury brand.

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    1. I agree. Honda's Aftersales service is way better than ford Philippines. Honda's engine reliability is one of the best. Also don't like ford's rusting bolts and joints(my friends six-month old ecosport is showing signs of rusting bolts in the engine bay. this makes their cars more unreliable in the long run.

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    2. They should be comparing the HRV to the Subaru XV. Ecosport Titanium with the Fiesta engine is way too inferior to even consider in terms of performance, service, overall quality and price.

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    3. Forget the tiny Ecosport,

      Honda HRV price competes with the likes of ASX, XV, Tucson & Sportage though smaller in dimension.
      Coming Mazda CX3 is the head-to-head rival of HRV.

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  8. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say we are looking at a model price of around 900k maybe? TOTL will most likely be close to 1mphp to 1.1mphp especially if loaded with safety features considering the City's price for the VX+ already close to 1mphp.

    But I wouldn't call it overpriced yet as we don't know how it will be kitted by Honda here. The only barometer we have on this "new segment" is the Ecosport and that is just priced to undercut the competition even before they came in.

    My two cents.

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  9. Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-3. This would be interesting. I believe Mazda's SkyActive technology has the advantage in fuel economy.

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    1. @Anon Dec2, 6:27

      Exterior design, it's MAZDA CX-3 by a mile. My only concern is the durability of that istop and other high-tech elements incorporated in the skyactive. That wouldn't be much of a concern if one plans of keeping it for 5 years. But what if one falls deeply in love with it and becomes monogamous with it for a long time. There is that danger because that CX-3 is so sexy. That is something to think about because she might turn out to be a high maintenance prima donna.

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  10. Skyactive reliability still not known? Mazda is not Toyota.

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    Replies
    1. mazda and toyota is joint venture interms of tech and body

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  11. If you're aware of Honda HRV stratospheric pricing then have patience & wait for the 1.6L 4 banger Suzuki Vitara launching next year.

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  12. Honda HR-V will be launched this coming June 9, 2015 here in the Philippines. Nice car!

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