Honda HR-V
Encyclopedia
The Honda HR-V is a mini SUV
produced by the Japanese automaker Honda
from 1999 until 2006. The abbreviation HRV officially stands for High Rider Vehicle although sometimes referred to as Hybrid Recreation Vehicle. The HR-V was introduced to cater for the demand for vehicles with the benefits of SUVs (in particular its bigger brother the Honda CR-V
) such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, along with the maneuverability, performance and fuel economy of a smaller car (such as the Honda Civic
). Its main competitors at the time include the Toyota Rav4
and the Land Rover Freelander
. Known as one of the earliest low emissions vehicles (in terms of nitrogen oxides) and unique character, the HR-V is now considered one of the first original crossover SUV
s. In Japan, it was sold at Honda Verno dealership sales channels.
Originally designed as the "Wild and Joyfull J-WJ" concept vehicle and exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show
in 1997, the HR-V emerged as a futuristic and lightweight cross-country vehicle in 1998. The Honda HR-V was soon put into production due to its popularity, and marketed toward a younger demographic as the "Joy Machine" in 1999. The HR-V was shipped to Europe
with either a 1.6L SOHC or a four-wheel drive
SOHC VTEC
engine. An automatic continuously variable transmission
gearbox was also an engine option, however, the main criticism of the HR-V was the lack of a diesel engine option. The three door versions were discontinued in 2003 and five door versions in 2006. Unofficially, the Honda Crossroad
(2008) is the follow-up to the HR-V.
The Real Time 4WD system comes from the citreon saxo and uses utilizes a Dual hydraulic Pump Rear Differential where the 4WD system is hydraulically activated when the front wheels lose traction. The HR-V also uses enhanced drive shafts and suspension. Variations were produced for Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Pacific Rim and for its home market of Japan. The HR-V was revised in 2002 with some exterior styling changes and a new interior. Ahead of its time in terms of design for pedestrian safety, the HR-V seats four people and includes modern safety features such as ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution
), dual SRS (supplemental restraint system) airbags, as well as other features such as electric mirrors, electric windows, folding rear seats, power steering, heat absorbing windows, air conditioning, front fog lights and a rear spoiler housing an LED brake light array.
Mini SUV
Mini SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length under . This class should not be confused with compact SUV, which refers to slightly larger vehicles, from ....
produced by the Japanese automaker Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
from 1999 until 2006. The abbreviation HRV officially stands for High Rider Vehicle although sometimes referred to as Hybrid Recreation Vehicle. The HR-V was introduced to cater for the demand for vehicles with the benefits of SUVs (in particular its bigger brother the Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a compact suv, now called crossover, manufactured since 1995 by Honda. It was loosely derived from the Honda Civic to satisfy a public demand for a sport-utility vehicle from Honda. There are discrepancies as to what "CR-V" stands for, with Honda sources in different markets...
) such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, along with the maneuverability, performance and fuel economy of a smaller car (such as the Honda Civic
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
). Its main competitors at the time include the Toyota Rav4
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV from Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and beginning sales in North America in 1996...
and the Land Rover Freelander
Land Rover Freelander
The Land Rover Freelander is a compact crossover SUV made by Land Rover.The current generation is sold as the LR2 in North America and as the Freelander 2 in Europe...
. Known as one of the earliest low emissions vehicles (in terms of nitrogen oxides) and unique character, the HR-V is now considered one of the first original crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
s. In Japan, it was sold at Honda Verno dealership sales channels.
Originally designed as the "Wild and Joyfull J-WJ" concept vehicle and exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
in 1997, the HR-V emerged as a futuristic and lightweight cross-country vehicle in 1998. The Honda HR-V was soon put into production due to its popularity, and marketed toward a younger demographic as the "Joy Machine" in 1999. The HR-V was shipped to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
with either a 1.6L SOHC or a four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
SOHC VTEC
VTEC
VTEC is a valvetrain system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and electronically selects between the profiles. It was invented by Honda R&D engineer Ikuo Kajitani, and was the first system...
engine. An automatic continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
gearbox was also an engine option, however, the main criticism of the HR-V was the lack of a diesel engine option. The three door versions were discontinued in 2003 and five door versions in 2006. Unofficially, the Honda Crossroad
Honda Crossroad
The Honda Crossroad refers to two specific types of SUVs made by Honda. One of them is a rebadged Land Rover Discovery Series I SUV, while the other is a completely different vehicle introduced in 2008.-Rebadged version :...
(2008) is the follow-up to the HR-V.
The Real Time 4WD system comes from the citreon saxo and uses utilizes a Dual hydraulic Pump Rear Differential where the 4WD system is hydraulically activated when the front wheels lose traction. The HR-V also uses enhanced drive shafts and suspension. Variations were produced for Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Pacific Rim and for its home market of Japan. The HR-V was revised in 2002 with some exterior styling changes and a new interior. Ahead of its time in terms of design for pedestrian safety, the HR-V seats four people and includes modern safety features such as ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
), dual SRS (supplemental restraint system) airbags, as well as other features such as electric mirrors, electric windows, folding rear seats, power steering, heat absorbing windows, air conditioning, front fog lights and a rear spoiler housing an LED brake light array.