Honda Cars PH launching 2025 HR-V hybrid next?
HCPI gets approval for 1.5-liter gas-engined crossover
After rolling out all-new versions of its vehicles last year, Honda Cars Philippines has spent most of 2024 updating its existing model lineup. Among those include the refreshed City Hatchback, a limited-edition Mugen version of the Civic Type R, and the addition of an e:HEV variant for the 11th-generation Civic.
Speaking of the latter, HCPI has already expressed they plan to roll out more e:HEV models in the future. Well, we think we have an idea which Honda vehicle is getting an electrified version next.
Honda Cars Philippines has received an approval for a passenger vehicle with an exact displacement of 1498cc – which denotes to an engine capacity of 1.5 liters. In the Honda engine family, the first thing that pops up is the L15 – the versatile four-cylinder powertrain that’s found in many Honda models and comes either turbocharged, naturally aspirated, or Atkinson cycle paired with an electric motor.
The mystery vehicle also has a curb weight of 1,481 kg. Usually, the weight would point out to a C-segment crossover which would be the CR-V. But with the extra battery of a hybrid, the curb weight could pass for a B-segment hybrid crossover. That’s where we think the mystery vehicle could be the new HR-V e:HEV.
The updated hybrid crossover is already on sale in Japan where it’s called the Vezel, and Thailand is getting first dibs of the facelifted HR-V when it debuts at the 2024 Thailand International Motor Expo happening on November 28. This gives us good reason to think the Philippines could be the next destination for the new HR-V e:HEV.
Honda gave a minor redesign to the front and rear end of the HR-V, along with a tech upgrade inside with a new 8-inch touchscreen head unit with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. In the Thai market, the HR-V has fully embraced electrification as all variants are powered by a 1.5-liter e:HEV powertrain with 131 PS and 253 Nm of torque.
Based on HCPI’s current product strategy for the Civic, however, the e:HEV version could co-exist with the VTEC Turbo and i-VTEC variants of the HR-V as Honda continues to roll out its electrification plans for the PH market.
However, since the Thai market HR-V RS update is launching at the end of November, then we think a Philippine market preview by December is a closer reach given the timelines.
