---
title: "All-New 2022 Honda HR-V Goes Hybrid-Only for Europe, Also Looks Surprisingly Great"
description: "It's unclear how much will carry over to the next-generation of the HR-V's American counterpart."
date: "2021-02-18"
modified: "2021-02-18"
authors:
  - name: "Hazel Southwell"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/hazel-southwell"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/39326/all-new-2022-honda-hr-v-goes-hybrid-only-for-europe-also-looks-surprisingly-great"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "Honda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "honda"
  - "HR-V"
  - "hybrid"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# All-New 2022 Honda HR-V Goes Hybrid-Only for Europe, Also Looks Surprisingly Great

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/02/329172_Honda_HR-V_e_HEV_2021.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The new edition of the Honda HR-V just launched in Europe, sporting a design that we can probably expect for the U.S. iteration later this year. The SUV is going all-hybrid, with the e:HEV system added to every new model and a facelift to make it more alike the Asia-specific [Vezel](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/13208/uber-leased-more-than-1000-defective-hondas-to-drivers-in-singapore>).

The HR-V's 2019 update was to make it [hipper and cooler](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/21849/2019-honda-hr-v-hippier-and-smarter>), more of a statement SUV than its cheap but very compact [2018 version](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13445/the-2018-honda-hr-v-will-start-at-19570>). This time, Honda's taken that a step further for the 2022 update and gone a bit [Honda-e's big brother](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29689/2020-honda-e-ev-debuts-with-adorable-looks-and-124-mile-driving-range>), a meaner and blockier but still kind of expressive look to the front of the car.

![message-editor%2F1613672853818-2022europehondahr-vinline.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1613672853818-2022europehondahr-vinline.jpg>)
**Honda**

At the moment, most of the details we've got are cosmetic. Honda says "the design includes a new bold integrated grille, while the body shape incorporates a long hood and sharper, more vertical sides to ensure there is no impact on interior space. The hood's centre is low and flat, with a shoulder line that flows to the base of the A-pillars, projecting a sense of stability and security that further enhances the SUV aesthetic."

The biggest difference, maybe, is that what had been a very budget compact SUV is going all hybrid, which will probably have a price impact. Both in the sense that hybrids cost more—and that there are more subsidy plans to help consumers buy them, as cleaner vehicles. Electrifying the HR-V is a key part of it for Honda, who've said that this HR-V update follows the same hybrid systems going into the CR-V and Jazz in Europe.

The question is: is it coming to the U.S.? Honda [has said "sort of"](<https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a35548521/honda-hr-v-hybrid-revealed-europe/>)—there will be an update to the HR-V stateside but it will be a different car with different specs. "The development of a successor to the Honda HR-V for the U.S. market is underway. This new HR-V will be designed to meet the distinct needs of U.S. customers, and will differ from the Honda Vezel/HR-V that will be revealed on February 18 for other regions."

Whether that means non-hybrid options will stay available for the US or some further restyling, we can't currently know, but at least the general look of the European version is likely to transfer.

![message-editor%2F1613672924839-329171\_honda\_hr-v\_e\_hev\_2021.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1613672924839-329171_honda_hr-v_e_hev_2021.jpg>)
*Honda*

![message-editor%2F1613673450735-329170\_honda\_hr-v\_e\_hev\_2021.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1613673450735-329170_honda_hr-v_e_hev_2021.jpg>)
*Honda*

![message-editor%2F1613673810102-329178\_honda\_hr-v\_e\_hev\_2021.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1613673810102-329178_honda_hr-v_e_hev_2021.jpg>)
*Honda*

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
Hazel is a writer specializing in electric vehicles and new fuel and powertrain technologies. She’s covered tech in motorsport since the inception of Formula E and has been a journalist for 17 years.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/hazel_southwell>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/HSouthwellFE>)