KLIMS 2018: New Honda HR-V Previewed, Again

Odd but true – you can no longer buy the Honda HR-V, despite the fact that it’s still the most sought after crossover in Malaysia. The pre-facelift HR-V was sold out earlier than expected during the zero GST period earlier this year but it’s been five months since Honda Malaysia opened the order books for the new HR-V facelift in July and to date, we still don’t know what the price of the new HR-V is, or when deliveries will begin.

So here at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show, Honda is once again previewing the new HR-V facelift, in RS (Road Sailing) variant - but this time we get to take a peek at the new interior.   

Among the upgrades fitted to the new HR-V RS are:

• LaneWatch (Honda’s blind spot detecting camera that’s also found in the Accord and CR-V)
• Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering that adjusts the steering ratio according to vehicle speed
• Paddle shifters
• Ivory coloured leather seats
• 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Ivory leather wrapped dashboard and centre console
• RS grille
• New LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• New LED tail lights
• New front and rear bumper

Note that these features are specific only to the RS variant. Specifications for regular HR-V variants have yet to be announced.

Mechanically, it remains unchanged with the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine driving the front wheels via a CVT-type automatic transmission.