2025 already seems like a very promising year for the world of automobiles. Every automaker is bringing something new to the market as the car market keeps growing. On the other hand, they’re also updating the current versions, making them even better.
For Honda, they’ve decided to make the Honda HRV better by changing up a few things. If what they have released is to be believed, the 2025 Honda HRV will be a pretty fantastic car, bringing about some new visual and powertrain updates. But what exactly can we expect from Honda? Let’s find out.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Model | HRV |
| Market Name (Japan) | Honda Vel |
| Body Style | Compact Crossover |
| Engine | 2.0 L I4 (Gasoline) |
| Power Output | 158 horsepower |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive (Standard), Front-Wheel Drive (Available) |
| Fuel Efficiency (City) | 25 – 26 MPG |
| Fuel Efficiency (Highway) | 30 – 32 MPG |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | Approximately 9.8 seconds |
| Safety Features | Traffic Jam Assist, Sudden Acceleration Suppression, Adaptive Highbeam Functions |
| Infotainment System | 9-inch Touchscreen |
| Digital Instrument Cluster | 7-inch |
| Interior Upholstery | Fabtech Upholstery (Water and Oil Repellent) |
| Exterior Features | Roof Rails, 16-inch Aluminum Wheels with Shark Gray Metallic Finish, Orange Accents |
| Exterior Color Options | Botanical Green Pearl (New), Other Standard Colors Available |
| Trim Levels | EH EVX (Base), Hunt Package (New) |
| Recommended Styles | Urban, Sports, Casual, Active |
| Launch Date (Japan) | April 2024 |
| Launch Date (EU) | Estimated Same Time as Japan or Shortly After |
| Market Position | Practical and Efficient Compact Crossover, Suitable for Everyday Use |
| Notable Features | Redesigned Front Grill, Updated LED Tail Lights, Enhanced Hybrid Powertrain, Safety Equipment |
Visual Upgrades and Facelift
The Honda HRV is receiving an upgrade. But for those of you who are a bit confused, this is the same as the Honda Vezel, which is the name it goes by in the Japanese Market.
Over the past few years, it’s gone through several upgrades, always improving with each iteration. As a result, it’s gained the love of many drivers who are looking for a reliable crossover. The car is not that old on the market, having been around for 3 years, and now Honda has come to the realization that it needs an upgrade.
As a result, the best course of action for them was to first give it a facelift. So for the new model year, the compact crossover features some minor visual updates. The automaker has also taken this chance to introduce a new outdoorsy hunt package. This is a new trim that is here to shake it up.
However, in all this, the automaker could not just leave it at that. The new HRV also boasts a slightly enhanced hybrid powertrain and includes minor equipment adjustments. Let’s just say that it’s not yet time for a complete overhaul, but the automaker has tried to improve it in every way.
Exterior Enhancements
Even with some of these upgrades, the 2025 Honda HRV will still be pretty recognizable. However, when you compare it directly with its predecessor, you’ll notice a few changes here and there.
The first difference is the new front bumper and the revised LED graphics on the tail lights. Let’s just say that the automaker was looking for a more modern look here. The most notable change in the 2025 Honda HRV is the redesigned grill, which adopts a squared-off shape and looks slightly narrower.
To make it even better looking, Honda also tweaked the dynamic lines above the bumper intakes alongside the horizontal elements inside the full LED tail lights. The new design, even though it’s not that different, looks pretty great.
Apart from the latest updates, you’ll also notice that there are other minor changes such as the sharper lines. All in all, the automaker has given the 2025 Honda HRV a more modern look that also projects boldness.
Interior Refinements and Safety Features
Some of these changes have gone on in the interior, but the interior doesn’t have that many changes. First of all, the 2025 Honda HRV has retained the same 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch infotainment system, just as it was in its predecessor.
This is quite expected given that they were not doing a complete overhaul. This also means that all the features that were there before are still the same. On the other hand, the automaker has improved the safety equipment from the previous model, making it much better for the 2025 HRV.
Some of the improvements we will see on this front include traffic jam assist, sudden acceleration suppression, and adaptive highbeam functions.
Let’s just say that all these are meant to make the driving experience much better than it was. Furthermore, the Honda Connect Now allows remote operation of the electric tailgate from the user smartphone.
And to make this whole experience even better, you can also control other remote control features all from your phone. This is pretty important given that the world is now headed in that direction.
Introduction of the Hunt Package
One of the most significant changes for the 2025 Honda HRV is the new trim introduction by the automaker. Honda is bringing a new hunt package which will be based on the entry-level EH EVX trim.
This new trim will get a new design making it stand out entirely from the other trims. From the outside, it will get roof rails, 16-inch aluminum wheels that have a finishing in shark gray metallic, and orange accents on the bodywork.
These orange accents will be combined with the new Botanical green pearl color option that the automaker is introducing for the exterior. This combination of colors will make it stand out even more, making it a beautiful car to look at.
The hunt package will also feature some interior upgrades with the most notable one being the Fabtech upholstery. This upholstery is both water and oil repellent, which means that you’re safe if you ever spill some water in there. When you look at everything about this hunt package, including the name of the trim itself, it seems that this is a car dedicated to off-road use. Could that be the case?
Customization Options and Accessories
Owners and buyers of this car will get the chance to further enhance the aesthetics and practicality of the 2025 HRV. This is all thanks to the wide range of genuine accessories, most of which are to die for.
To make it easier to select, Honda organized them into four recommended styles which are Urban, Sports, Casual, and Active. So depending on what exactly you’re looking for, you can customize your car through these.
Powertrain and Efficiency
And now to the part of the car that matters most to most people, the powertrain. Just like we said before, we don’t expect a lot of changes when it comes to the powertrain. Given that this is not even a mid-cycle refresh, these are just minor upgrades to the car to make it look fresher.
As a result of this, the updated 2025 HRV will still have the same powertrain as its predecessor. Since its launch, the current HRVs main engine has been a 2.0 L I4 engine capable of producing about 158 horsepower. This powertrain has always been coupled with the CVT automatic.
All the trims of the current Honda HRV are sold with all-wheel drive as standard, but there are more affordable variants that are sold with front-wheel drive.
2025 Honda HRV Release Date
Honda engineers refined the driving characteristics of the hybrid and implemented an updated Energy Management control system. Consequently, it is expected to reduce engine noise in urban environments. Additionally, anticipate encountering identical fuel-efficient specifications as those of the Honda HRV in the 2025 model.
These figures typically fall within the range of 25 to 26 MPG in urban settings and 30 to 32 MPG on highways. Consequently, FWD models naturally consume slightly less fuel.
These figures are considered quite respectable within the segment. Regarding acceleration, the HRV exhibits a degree of sluggishness, requiring approximately 9.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that this vehicle prioritizes efficiency and practicality over sheer speed. The majority of enhancements made to the 2025 Honda HRV primarily aim to enhance the driving experience.
Our Thoughts
Consequently, the anticipated market launch of the 2025 Honda HRV in Japan, known as Honda Vel, is slated for around April 2024. Hence, it’s reasonable to anticipate the arrival of the EU-spec Honda HRV during a similar timeframe, possibly within a few months’ difference.
The 2025 Honda HRV shows significant promise, despite the introduction of new design enhancements, it remains essentially the same vehicle.
Despite claims of slightly reduced speed, it remains an exceptionally practical and efficient vehicle, ideally suited for daily use.
What do you think of the 2025 Honda HRV? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. And before you go, make sure you leave a like and bookmark this page for amazing updates on your favorite cars.
