Honda Lifts the Covers off the 2015 HR-V

2015 Honda HR-V (Credit: Honda)

Honda has given everyone a nice look at the all-new 2015 HR-V crossover, revealing a new unobscured photo of the model. The official public debut of the subcompact is set to happen during the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19.

Considering that the larger CR-V has been a sales success and recently captured the Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year award, expectations for the HR-V are high. On top of that, the subcompact crossover market has been sizzling lately, with automakers jumping into the increasingly crowded category as more consumers elect for the small and utilitarian options. Needless to say, this is a huge model launch for Honda.

The new model has a sleek and athletic look to it, including trapezoidal headlights and a black grille. The back end has a hatch area that some are likening to the Hyundai Tucson. Next to nothing has been confirmed about the equipment that will be included, but such details will no doubt be unveiled in Los Angeles.

Like the Fit, which shares the same platform as the HR-V, the layout of the new model helps the interior accommodate people and things with more ease than you would expect. This is partially from Honda engineers locating the fuel tank in the center of the vehicle, providing more passenger and cargo volume for a win-win. The Magic Seat system, which already comes in the Fit, will also be standard equipment, providing a flat-folding second row of seats and other methods for fitting large or odd-shaped items.

Even though the HR-V is being manufactured at the same plant in Mexico as the Fit, that’s doesn’t mean that the two models have identical powertrains. As of right now, there is no official word on what engine(s) is powering the new crossover, but it likely will provide substantially more power than the 130 horsepower generated by the Fit’s motor.