2022 Honda HR-V price and specs: Base price up $5400, to $36,700 drive-away

The all-new 2022 Honda HR-V small SUV has arrived in Australia, with the option of hybrid power – but buyers will pay for the privilege, with the base price rising by $5400 drive-away compared to the cheapest version of the outgoing model.

Announced today, the new HR-V will be available in a choice of two model variants, priced from $36,700 drive-away for the Vi X petrol – a $5400 increase over the outgoing $31,300 drive-away HR-V VTi base model, a variant priced three years ago from $24,990 before on-road costs (albeit with fewer ownership benefits).

Opting for the frugal e:HEV L hybrid ups the price to $45,000 drive-away, or $4000 more than Honda Australia's previous range-topping HR-V variant, the $41,000 drive-away VTi-LX petrol.

However, Honda says the Vi X grade is positioned between $35,100 VTi-S and $38,500 RS versions of the outgoing model – making the effective price rise no more than $1600. The e:HEV L is said to sit above the previous HR-V VTi-LX flagship, up $4000 (albeit with the hybrid system added).

Standard equipment has risen over the previous HR-V, however, with all variants featuring as standard 18-inch wheels, a 9.0-inch touchscreen (up from 7.0-inch), LED headlights, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control – none of which were fitted to the previous HR-V VTi base model.

However, while Honda claims increased legroom and recline for rear passengers, it has deleted the centre rear seat – making the HR-V one of only two new five-door SUVs under $100,000 with only four seats, the other a 50cm-shorter, $22,000 Suzuki Ignis city car.

The new Honda HR-V offers buyers a choice of two powertrains: a 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine developing 89kW and 145Nm in the Vi X, or a brand-new e:HEV hybrid option, pairing a 1.5-litre engine with two electric motors for 96kW and 253Nm combined.

However, both options are less powerful than the outgoing HR-V's 105kW/172Nm 1.8-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, which was already one of the less powerful options in the small SUV class.

Both of the new HR-V's powertrains drive the front wheels through continuously-variable (automatic) transmissions.

Fuel economy has improved compared to the old HR-V, down to 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the Vi X petrol (from 6.6-6.9L/100km), or 4.3L/100km for the hybrid – the latter matching a Toyota C-HR Hybrid.

Measuring 4335mm long and 1790mm wide, the new Honda HR-V is a similar size to the vehicle it replaces – though inside, the rear seats are positioned further back to create additional legroom, thanks to the repositioning of the hybrid components and fuel tank further up front.

Standard features across the HR-V range in Australia include a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto and satellite navigation, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Buyers keen on blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert or heated seats will need to step up to the e:HEV L hybrid model, which also adds a power tailgate, heated steering wheel, acoustic windscreen, and more.

The 2022 Honda HR-V range will arrive in Honda Centres across Australia next month.

Note: All prices above are drive-away.