2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV now available for pre-order
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI)’s return to electrification seems to have come at just the right time.
After years without an electrified model in its lineup, the Japanese carmaker launched the CR-V e:HEV crossover last September 2023, packing a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. This was followed by the Civic e:HEV in June 2024, sporting its cousin’s hybrid powerplant in a sleeker sedan package.
These major debuts came after various government measures, namely the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act” and Executive Order No. 12, provided numerous financial and non-financial incentives to those who own electrified vehicles.
After HCPI reported over 1,200 sales of the CR-V e:HEV in 2024, the company is keen to sustain its momentum in electrified mobility with the all-new 2025 HR-V e:HEV subcompact crossover, which was previewed on Monday at the HCPI media thanksgiving party in Makati City.
The carmaker likewise announced that the electrified HR-V is available for pre-order at all HCPI dealerships nationwide.
1.5-liter hybrid motor
The biggest news, of course, lies under the hood.
Although HCPI has yet to officially release the final specifications of the Philippine model, the HR-V e:HEV is sold in other markets with a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. Combined output is 129 horsepower and 253 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
For comparison, the local HR-V available as of press time gets either a 1.5-liter inline-4 with 119 horsepower and 145 Newton-meters of torque or a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 producing 175 horsepower and 240 Newton-meters of torque. Both engines are mated to a CVT.
HCPI president Rie Miyake said in her speech that the HR-V e:HEV is part of Honda Motor Company’s effort to sell 1.3 million hybrid vehicles worldwide by 2030. The automaker is also looking to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
New color, cleaner styling
The HR-V e:HEV that HCPI previewed also gets styling updates that will be applied to all 2025 HR-V models.
Outside, a new color called “Sand Khaki” will be available to the hybrid variant, which also gets two-tone, 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 series tires. Other changes include a neater front bumper and grill.
Inside, the HR-V has a greater focus on symmetry, particularly with changes to the center console. The crossover also gets larger rear headrests for added passenger comfort.
In addition, the HR-V e:HEV on display was the top-specification RS that includes leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an electrically operated tailgate.
Safety-wise, the HR-V e:HEV gets a full complement of airbags and the exceptional Honda SENSING active-safety suite – the latter includes convenient and life-saving features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
Prices have not yet been officially announced, but the HR-V e:HEV is expected to square off with the similarly sized Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV that costs P1,604,000, as of press time. It is also not yet known if this hybrid model will replace the current HR-V RS Turbo, similar to what HCPI did with the Civic RS.
The HR-V e:HEV is expected to build upon the 18-percent year-on-year sales growth that the subcompact crossover recorded in the Philippines in 2024. And given that this 1.5-liter hybrid engine is also used in the City e:HEV abroad, expect HCPI to fully embrace its electrified revival in the years to come.
