An all-new urban crossover joins the Honda product line-up in southern Africa this month.

Previewed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the new Honda HR-V’s arrival in local showrooms coincides with its European debut, and promises to shake up the crossover segment.

The all-new HR-V has a highly individual exterior design, thanks to the pronounced curve of the roofline, which creates a unique, coupé-like impression. However, the short overhangs, raised stance and wide tracks reflect the rugged attitude typical of a SUV.

The front-end treatment is unmistakably Honda, with tapered headlights framing a V-shaped grille in contrasting charcoal, while a meshed lower air intake adds further visual aggression. A pronounced swage line, crisp contours and emphasised wheel arches add to the head-turning presence of the newcomer.

The tidy rear-end treatment is dominated by the large tail light clusters, a tailgate that opens all the way down to bumper level, and a bumper finished in contrasting charcoal to further underscore the HR-V’s rugged attitude. Alloy wheels and slim roof rails add a classy touch.

Despite its compact footprint, the HR-V looks and feels spacious inside. The interior execution focuses on intelligent packaging to deliver a spacious front and rear cabin, while the luggage compartment offers generous stowage space.

With the seats raised, the luggage compartment offers 393 litres of boot space up to window level, while folding the split rear seat flat increases cargo capacity to an impressive 1 002 litres.

The new HR-V offers an extensive list of comfort and convenience equipment across the two-model range. Highlights include electrically operated windows and mirrors, remote central locking, air-conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and a multi-information trip computer.

Safety is comprehensively addressed via an extensive array of passive and active safety systems. Passive measures include six airbags, head restraints, inertia reel seatbelts for all seating positions, and Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.

Recommended retail pricing for the newcomer starts at N$299,900 for the HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT while the HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT retails at N$354 900.

The pricing includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty, a four-year /60 000 km service plan, and a one-year AA roadside assistance package. Services are at 15 000 km intervals.