Facelifted Honda HR-V breaks cover with hotter Sport version

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Honda calls it the most sophisticated HR-V ever

Honda is announcing the introduction of the 2019 HR-V, which also marks the model’s mid-life nip and tuck.

Honda’s subcompact SUV gets mildly redesigned front and rear ends, new 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tailpipes, and full-LED headlights. However, most of the changes took place on the inside.

Honda says the materials adorning the cabin are now of a better quality, while practicality is supported by the familiar Magic Seat system carried over from the pre-facelift model.

Moreover, the 2019 HR-V sports new driver and front passenger seats with, says Honda, better lateral support, while range-topping versions get a full leather interior.

Honda’s press blurb also mentions better sound proofing for the cockpit, with passengers only getting 65 dB worth of noise at speeds of 100 km/h. Active Noise Cancellation is present as well as a first for the HR-V, but only on some grades.

In terms of engines, the new addition is represented by the 1.5-liter turbo mill found inside the current Honda Civic. In the HR-V range, it marks the Sport model. The unit outputs 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque sent through a six-speed manual or a CVT.

In this setup, the HR-V Sport needs 7.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill and can continue to sprint to a top speed of 215 km/h (133 mph).

The other two engine choices remain the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel (120 PS, 300 Nm of torque) and the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol unit (130 PS, 155 Nm).