Maybe it’s age (I just turned the big 4-0), but I’m starting to wish the local Honda HR-V offered an interior in this stunning shade of crimson.

One of the pioneers of the compact crossover segment (that’s what we call the category in-between the sub-compact SUVs—EcoSport, Juke, and compact SUVs—CR-V, RAV4, Honda’s been rather quiet with the HR-V except for the introduction of a rather pricey RS trim some two years back.

Now that it’s approaching what could be its twilight years, the granddaddy of the segment just got spiffed up with a new colorway for its interior—that is, if you live in Australia.


Part of a limited run, the Honda HR-V over there gets this nice dark red interior color which adds a pop of color to the rather staid and dreary interior. Crimson, as Honda officially calls it isn’t just limited to the seats, but flows to the dashboard and even center console as well. It pairs nicely with the RS variant’s all-black headliner.

White is also another optional interior color for the HR-V there, but it honestly looks meh; let’s stick with the crimson. Anyhow, aside from the new colorway, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard on the HR-V’s Display Audio infotainment system—something that’s been forgotten locally (the BR-V now gets standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mind you).


Now, you do have to pay an additional AUD 400 (about P 14,000) for the new color, but honestly, that’s a fair price to pay especially since you’ll be spending lots of time in it. The question is, will Honda Cars Philippines bring in an option such as this? Given how conservative their product planners are, the chances are slim at best. With the entire playing field all leveling up, hopefully Honda would introduce more daring interior colors.