2028 Honda HR-V illustration.
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The current Honda HR-V has been quite a success for Honda in the US. The current generation came out in 2022 and still sold over 151,000 units in 2024, its best year ever.
With the current generation, Honda decided to sell a larger model in the US. While the previous generation and the new, different European model were based on the Honda Fit, the current model (also called ZR-V in some markets) is based on the larger Honda Civic. Honda thought it was going to be more popular in the US, and it looks like they were right.
A new Civic is due next year as a 2027 model. That means a brand new HR-V will follow soon after. The current HR-V is a weird-looking car in my opinion, and one that doesn’t look at all like any other Honda models sold in the US. I remember posting some photos of a camouflaged prototype I saw in my neighborhood before the car came out, and almost no one was guessing it was the next HR-V. A new Ford or Mazda was the most popular guess.
The illustration above shows a next-generation H-RV that would look more like other Honda designs. Something also not as lumpy-looking as the current generation. I test drove the H-RV when it came out and came out pretty impressed. This is a very nice, affordable car. But that design is hard to swallow for many. I think something more attractive would make the H-RV even more popular.
The total lack of a Hybrid trim is also a big mistake. One that Honda chose to correct during the life of this generation for some reason. I guess the next model will offer some kind of electrification.
However, just like all “new” gas cars these days, it will probably be based on the current platform. Since most research and development money is going to EVs and new battery tech.
That means the next H-RV could be the last one using gas.
With all the changes going on at Honda in their electrification plans, I suspect the next Honda Civic will be delayed until at least MY2028. I also suspect that the HR-V hybrid would have come to the US this year, if the current tariff situation hadn’t happened. And the Civic hybrid has just arrived in the US. Honda is doing plenty of back peddling at the moment (Acura, 0 Series, Afeela, Accord, Pilot…). And now they’re having problems again getting chips for Marysville production. Thats all going to have consequences for introductions and updates.