Honda · 1999–present

Honda XR-V

The Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured and marketed by Honda over three generations. The first generation HR-V, based on the Honda Logo, was marketed from 1999 to 2006 in Europe, Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets, in either three-door (1999–2003) or five-door (1999–2006) configurations — internally designated GH2 and GH4 respectively. After a seven-year hiatus, Honda reintroduced the nameplate for the second generation HR-V, based on the third-generation Honda Fit. Production began in late 2013 for the Japanese domestic market as the Honda Vezel (Japanese: ホンダ・ヴェゼル, Hepburn: Honda Vezeru), while production started in 2015 for North America, Australia, Brazil and select Asian markets as the HR-V. Apart from Japan, the model is also sold as the Vezel in China. For the third-generation model, the nameplate is split between two different vehicles, one for the global market (sold as the Vezel in Japan), and a larger model based on the eleventh-generation Civic destined for North America and China. The latter model is sold outside those markets as the Honda ZR-V. According to Honda, the name "HR-V" stands for "Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle", while the name "Vezel" is coined from "bezel", the oblique faces of a cut gem, with the "V" for "vehicle".

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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First generation (GH; 1999)

The HR-V debuted as the J-WJ concept, one of the four concepts in Honda's J-Mover Series unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show and the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. With minimal changes from the concept, the HR-V was marketed exclusively in Japan via Honda's Verno dealership network, aimed at a young demographic. The HR-V was subsequently marketed in Europe with either a Honda D16W1 type 1.6-litre SOHC (FWD or 4WD) or a SOHC VTEC Honda D16W5 type engine (exclusively 4WD). A continuously variable transmission was optional. The HR-V shared its platform with the Honda Logo, and was manufactured in Suzuka, Japan. When initially introduced, in February 1999, the only configuration available was a three-door body with four-wheel drive, with the internal designation GH2. In September 1999, Honda introduced a front-wheel drive variant (only with the less powerful, non-VTEC engine). Five-door models were designated GH4 and were introduced in March 2000. The standard engine was a SOHC, 1.6-litre unit with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp); Honda also offered a 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) VTEC engine option for the three- and five-door models with four-wheel drive. Neither a five-door front-wheel drive, or a front-wheel drive model with the VTEC engine were marketed. The five-door was 110 mm longer overall, with a 100 mm longer wheelbase (2,460 mm). Suspension on all models was via MacPherson strut front suspension and a five-link De Dion-type rear suspension. In advance of European pedestrian protection legislation, the HR-V was designed to minimize pedestrian injuries in the event of an impact. Equipment featured ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), dual SRS (supplemental restraint system) airbags, as well as folding power mirrors, power windows, folding rear seats, power steerin

Second generation (RU; 2013)

The second generation HR-V was previewed as the Urban SUV Concept which was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. The concept version was said to be based on Honda's Global Compact Series, which includes the Honda Fit subcompact and the Honda City subcompact sedan. The vehicle was unveiled in November 2013 at the Tokyo Motor Show as the Vezel. Based on the Honda Fit platform, at the time of its introduction it was the smallest SUV from Honda, below the CR-V. The exterior design of the crossover is inspired by coupés with its sloping roof, and a unique design element like hidden rear door handles. In terms of practicality, at its release in Europe, Honda claimed the HR-V offers 453 L (16.0 cu ft) of boot space with the rear seats up and 1,026 L (36.2 cu ft) with the rear seats down. While in the North America, the HR-V is said to have 24.3 cu ft (690 L) with the rear seats up, and 58.8 cu ft (1,670 L) with the rear seats folded. Honda has described its cabin as "exceptionally versatile," due to the inclusion the Magic Seats system carried over from the Fit which enables the lower part of the rear seat to be folded up to carry tall items. The HR-V's body uses 27% ultra-high-strength steel grades, of either of 780, 980 or 1,500 MPa yield strength. Facelift. === Markets === Brazil. The Brazil-market HR-V, assembled locally at Honda's plant in the state of São Paulo and also imported from Argentina, went on sale in first-quarter 2015 as a 2016 model. For the first nine months of 2015, Honda's production in Brazil was reported to increase by 20 percent as a result of the launch of HR-V compared with a 20% drop for the industry. On 21 May 2020, the last HR-V rolled out the assembly line of the Argentinian plant, marking the closure of the plant. This me

Third generation (2021)

=== Global version (RV/RS1; 2021) === The second-generation Vezel/third-generation HR-V was unveiled on 18 February 2021 in Japan, with sales commenced in Japan on 22 April 2021. The internal combustion model is based on the Honda Global Small Car platform sharing its platform with the fourth-generation Fit/Jazz/Life and the seventh-generation City/Ballade. A battery electric version of the third-generation HR-V was revealed in China in October 2021 as the Honda e:NS1 and e:NP1, which is manufactured by Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda respectively. Both are based on the e:N Architecture F platform used for smaller, front-wheel drive battery electric vehicles. Outside China, the battery electric model is marketed as the e:Ny1 in Europe and e:N1 in Asian and New Zealand markets. The facelifted model was unveiled on 14 March 2024. Changes include an updated front fascia design and new LED graphics for the rear taillights, new exterior colours, the interior received minor changes, the e:HEV model received an updated energy management control and new safety features included in the Honda Sensing safety system. North American and Chinese version / ZR-V (RZ1/RZ2; 2022). A separate North American HR-V model was unveiled on 4 April 2022 and went on sale on 7 June 2022 for the 2023 model year. Based on the Honda Architecture (HA) platform shared with the Civic (eleventh generation) and categorized as a compact crossover SUV, it was sold outside of North America, such as in China (as the ZR-V and HR-V) and Europe (as the ZR-V) to positioned between the global HR-V model and the CR-V. Chinese models are produced by both Guangqi Honda (ZR-V, until 2026) and Dongfeng Honda (HR-V) respectively.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda HR-V

aka

Honda Vezel (Asia, 2013–present), Honda XR-V (China, 2014–present), Honda ZR-V (2022–present)

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

1999–2006, 2013–present

Class

Subcompact crossover SUV (B)

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27963983CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_HR-VCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374812557 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_XR-V_RU_China_2015-04-10.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Navigator84 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — http://www.dongfeng-honda-xr-v.com/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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