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.