2015 Honda HR-V - prices, specs and launch date

The 2015 Honda HR-V will cost from £17,995 when it goes on sale in the UK this September.

Although similar in exterior dimensions to the Nissan Juke and Skoda Yeti, Honda says the new HR-V is targetting rivals in the class above, namely the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar. Unveiled at the Geneva motor show back in March, the HR-V is based on a modified version of the Jazz's platform. Honda bosses say the new model is aiming to bring traditional MPV practicality to the booming crossover SUV segment.

The HR-V will be available with two engines in the UK - a 128bhp 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and a 118bhp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel. The diesel option is capable of returning up to 70.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 104g/km.

The petrol-powered HR-V, meanwhile, can return up to 52.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 125g/km when equipped with a CVT. Models equipped with a six-speed manual transmission return 49.6mpg and emit 134g/km of CO2. The HR-V will be available in two-wheel-drive form only in the UK, although four-wheel drive is offered in other markets.

Honda says four specifications will be offered in the UK, dubbed S, SE, SE Navi and Ex.

Entry-level S models get 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, climate control and front and rear parking sensors. SE specification adds 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers and Honda’s 7.0in touchscreen Connect infotainment system. Higher up the range, SE Navi adds satellite navigation.

Top-level EX models come with keyless entry and start, a panoramic sunroof, leather trim, rear-view camera, heated seats and LED lighting.

Like the Jazz, the HR-V comes with Honda's 'magic seat' system which allows the second row seats' squabs to be folded upright or the whole seats folded totally flat. Interior space is also increased by the positioning of the fuel tank, which is located under the centre of the car. As a result of these two features, Honda reckons the HR-V will have class-leading cabin space. The claimed 470 litres of boot space - rising to 1533 litres with the rear seats down - is also better than the majority of rivals.

Masahide Kobayashi, chief stylist for the HR-V, told Autocar at the Paris motor show that the new model was designed to meet the “strong customer demand” for a crossover positioned below the CR-V. 

He said: “The difficulty in designing this type of car is that because of the size, the design can end up looking weak or less premium compared with other models. During the scale modelling process, we also had difficulty creating a design with presence, but we are pleased with what we achieved.

"In many cases, Honda has good products, but the design has not been strong enough to be clearly recognised. We believe that we can create new and more exciting designs in the future. This model [the HR-V] definitely has a strong character and I am excited about seeing the reaction of [European] customers.”