Yahoo Autos Hey, Hey, HR-V: Updates Aplenty for the 2019 Honda HR-V
Honda is bringing the little HR-V crossover up to speed with plenty of updates for 2019. To accompany its visual changes, the big news is that it’s finally available with Honda’s suite of active-safety technologies; it previously was the only Honda nameplate that didn’t offer these features. We’re also simply over the moon to report that its infotainment system now incorporates a volume knob.
The HR-V’s new front end, previewed earlier this year by its Japanese-market cousin, the Vezel, seems to mirror that of the Civic and the CR-V, with a more prominent chrome grille insert and LED headlamps, at least on the model shown in the initial photos provided by Honda. There also are new wheel designs and two new trim levels-Sport and Touring-that will complement the existing LX, EX, and EX-L trims with their own respective visual cues. Pricing and equipment for the new lineup isn’t out yet, but we do know that the Honda Sensing package, with adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, will be standard on EX and higher HR-Vs. Inside, the biggest change appears to be to the available infotainment system, which now incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a volume knob.
Unfortunately, the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque isn’t at all different-we were hoping that the Civic’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four would make it in the HR-V eventually, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Honda does say that the continuously variable automatic transmission (it doesn’t mention the six-speed manual, which we hope remains available) and all-wheel-drive system have been updated, although it won’t yet share exactly what changes have been made. There also is more sound deadening and the steering system now is of the variable-ratio type.
More details will be available when the 2019 HR-V goes on sale July 24, and we don’t expect the base price of $20,665 to change much.
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