2024 Honda HR-V receives subtle facelift in Japan, poised for Australia

The Honda HR-V small SUV has been given a facelift in Japan after three years on sale, with revised exterior and interior styling, and new safety features.

Honda Australia has confirmed an updated HR-V is planned for local showrooms, but it is yet to be disclosed if it will bring the same changes as the model in Japan, where the SUV is built for markets including ours.

Sales of the HR-V in Australia have been in free-fall, halving last year compared to 2022 – and down 82 per cent on their peak in 2016, when the most affordable model was about $10,000 cheaper.

Japan’s updated HR-V gains a revised front bumper with a subtly reshaped grille, plus tweaks to the LED tail-light signatures.

Inside, there is a larger storage slot below the air-conditioning controls – and little else new.

Honda Japan says hybrid models have an updated energy management system which it claims “reduces engine noise during city driving and improves responsiveness to driver operation.”

The safety suite has been expanded with traffic-jam assist tech for the adaptive cruise control system, sudden mis-acceleration suppression – in case drivers hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in a car park – and adaptive high-beam tech which blanks out part of the headlight beam to prevent dazzling oncoming motorists.

There are two special editions in Japan – the HuNT, which adds off-road-inspired styling elements, and the PLaY, with similar styling but extra equipment.

In Australia the HR-V is available in two model grades – Vi X petrol and e:HEV L hybrid – priced from $36,700 drive-away and $47,000 drive-away.

Until 31 March 2024 the two variants are on special for $34,900 and $45,200 drive-away respectively, with a seven-year warranty – up from five years as standard.

“Whilst we will see an updated HR-V hit Australian shores, we cannot confirm specifications or arrival date at this time,” a Honda Australia spokesperson told Drive.