2022 Honda HR-V: Hybrid expected to account for a third of sales

Honda Australia anticipates about one-third of sales for its all-new HR-V to be hybrid, but that ratio is expected to grow as time goes on.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the company’s local division expects the HR-V e:HEV – the first hybrid version of its small SUV in Australia – to account for 35 per cent of the mix at launch, with the cheaper Vi X petrol accounting for the remainder.

Mr Collins added that initial feedback “from our retail network is that hybrid is stronger than [35 per cent], but we think that it will settle at that sort of percentage mix”.

“We think over the next few years, obviously, that hybrid percentage will grow.”

The HR-V e:HEV L is already seeing wait times of up to four months depending on colour, according to the local division, despite going on sale just weeks ago.

According to Mr Collins, a lot of that is down to supply issues.

“One of the issues we’re facing like everyone at the moment is just supply,” Mr Collins said.

“So I think there’s a reasonably healthy wait already, but we’re working to correct that.”

Pricing for the top-spec 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV L starts at $45,000 drive-away, nearly $9000 more than the entry-level petrol-only HR-V Vi X, though the electrified model also comes with more features.

The hybrid HR-V features a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain, quoting system outputs of 96kW (4000-8000rpm) and 253Nm (0-3000rpm). More importantly, combined fuel use is rated at a thrifty 4.3L/100km – which isn’t quite as good as the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid 2WD’s 3.8L/100km combined claim.

While those outputs seem a little meek on paper, the HR-V e:HEV lines up well against the 1.5-litre Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid (85kW, N/A Nm), 1.8-litre Toyota C-HR Hybrid (90kW, N/A Nm) and 1.6-litre Kia Niro Hybrid (104kW/265Nm)

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian first drive review of the new HR-V e:HEV on May 12.

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