Honda maps out updated HR-V

Honda Australia has given its popular HR-V small SUV a minor model year update by including satellite navigation as standard across its four-variant range, while retaining the same pricing.

The sat-nav is built into an updated audio system with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen. It is available on the range-opening VTI from $24,990 before on-roads, all the way up to the range-topping VTI-L with advanced driver assist system from $34,340.

No changes have been made to the styling of the diminutive SUV that was re-born for Australia in February 2015.

A mid-cycle update ushering in more obvious changes is expected next year.

All HR-VS use a 105kw-172nm 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously-variable transmission.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said not only has the HR-V been the top-selling model in the Honda range for the past two years, it is also one of the top-selling small SUVS on the market.

“It is consistently ranking in the top three sellers in what continues to be an ultra-competitive segment,” she said.

In the first four months of 2017, Honda has recorded 3732 sales of the HR-V, down 4.3 percent on the 3899 sales it registered in the same period last year. That tally is enough to place it fourth in the small-suv segment, behind the Mazda CX-3 with 5750 sales, Mitsubishi ASX with 5050 sales and Nissan Qashqai with 3935 sales.

It is tracking ahead of the Holden Trax, Subaru XV and Suzuki Vitara.