RU HR-V

HONDA returned to the B-segment compact SUV class 14 years after the last HR-V was on sale in Australia with the second-generation version.

Aimed squarely at Holden Trax, Renault Captur and Mazda CX-3 set, the RU-series crossover brings the practicality of a low flat floor area when the rear-seat backrests are folded down, just like the Jazz on which much of this car’s innards are based upon.

At launch just a single 1.8-litre single-cam 16-valve i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine is offered, delivering 105kW at 6500rpm and 172Nm at 4300rpm. A 1.6-litre turbo-diesel joins the range for 2016. The front wheels are driven via a six-speed CVT Continuously Variable Transmission. No AWD model is planned for Australia.

A compact torsion beam rear suspension design has helped with the HR-V’s roomy cabin packaging, while the front end features the ubiquitous MacPherson strut layout.

Three variants are available – the VTi, mid-range VTi-S and luxury-focussed VTi-L, with the latter available with a number of driver-assist technology like forward-collision and lane-departure warnings.