Where is the Honda HR-V RS, e:HEV coming soon?

The all-new third generation of the Honda HR-V subcompact crossover SUV has just been officially launched in the Philippines earlier today for the 2022 model year. 

With two variants, the 1.5 S CVT and 1.5 V Turbo CVT, it seems that Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) missed one from the previous generation and other models available locally, the RS. Not only that, comparing the local specifications with overseas versions from Thailand where we source local units from, it seems we’re also missing out on the HR-V’s hybrid version.

We initially asked someone from HCPI’s product planning team about two weeks ago regarding the availability of the RS variant to which we received a very vague but appropriate answer. They just said “haha.” We take that as a yes. It’s also noteworthy that the top-spec 1.5 V Turbo Honda SENSING variant of the all-new HR-V is still missing some equipment such as larger alloy wheels, side curtain airbags, and even Honda’s LaneWatch camera just to name a few.

Now for the hybrid, know as the e:HEV in other markets, gives the HR-V a 1.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle petrol engine that is paired to two electric motors. Combined output is 131 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque with power sent to the front wheels via a fixed-gear transmission (different from a CVT.)

Notably, this hybrid powertrain could be powering the RS variant if ever it arrives here. The only question now is when as Atty. Louie Soriano, HCPI’s General Manager for Sales Division has already confirmed during the launch that the RS and e:HEV powertrain will make their way to the local HR-V lineup.

Perhaps we might see a Honda HR-V 1.5 RS e:HEV Honda SENSING variant soon, which will then be a good challenger to the popular Toyota Corolla Cross HEV.