Honda HR-V, ZR-V & CR-V: More affordable hybrid variants due in Australia soon

In 2023, the Japanese brand promised to launch additional petrol-electric hybrid variants in Australia once top-spec E:HEV models had arrived with each new full model launch, starting with the latest HR-V in April 2022.

The 11th-generation Accord sedan arrives in Australia this month as the last full model change with an E:HEV hybrid variant, joining electrified flagship versions of the Civic, ZR-V and CR-V also launched in the last 24 months.

Comparison

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“That's part of our original hybrid expansion strategy. Probably later on this year – essentially now that we’ve launched top variants – you'll now start to see through different MMCs [minor model changes] or different upgrades [hybrid variants] expanded throughout the range,” said McMahon.

“Our current hybrid take up is around 40 per cent. I think this time last year we said we were expecting around 25 per cent, so we're actually higher than what we had originally set our goal for. I think industry petrol [sales] is still around 70 per cent; we’re at 60 per cent so we're quite happy with the take-up [of hybrid]."

Comparison

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“We don't have any plans for a lower-specced Accord,” said McMahon. “Accord is a flagship model – we’ll always use that to introduce the new technology and the new features.”

Available in a sole E:HEV RS variant, the Accord midsize sedan is priced at $64,900 drive-away, while the hybrid version of the Civic small hatch – the E:HEV LX – retails for $55,000 drive-away.

“It is possible that could make sense. I can't announce anything today formally, but later on this year is probably the time that we start the expansion,” said McMahon.

While McMahon was unable to announce an expanded HR-V line-up, new government approval documents have all but confirmed this.

It is unclear how the two hybrid variants could be differentiated, but Honda would likely use the current entry-level petrol HR-V as a base for a cheaper hybrid variant to slot between the existing Vi X and the