The GIIAS 2018 is one of the most happening events in the world right now. Automakers have flocked to the show just as enthusiastically as motorheads and petrol-heads have. There is a lot of unveiling going on at the show. Taking the spotlight, Honda took the sheets off the facelift for the ASEAN-spec HR-V at the GIIAS. The refreshed model is sold in the Japanese market as the Vezel and the facelift gets cosmetic changes on both the inside and the outside. Available on the HR-V are two engine and transmission options.

There are new LED headlamps and a larger grille bar on the front exterior along with tweaked fog lamp housing and a newly contoured front bumper. On the sides, you will notice the new design of the 17-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, the lower-spec models remain more or less the same, while the higher trims get a new dual tone beige-and-black finish on the interior.

The two engine options that are available are a 1.5-litre petrol motor that produces a maximum power of 120 hp and a peak torque of 145 Nm, and a 1.8-litre petrol motor that produces a maximum power of 139 hp and a peak torque of 169 Nm. The former comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission while there is an option for a CVT automatic. The latter is offered only with a CVT automatic gearbox. For the European markets, there is a diesel engine also available with a 1.6-litre displacement capacity. This diesel engine will make it to India in the upcoming CR-V and is likely to be featured on the upcoming Civic sedan as well.

The HR-V will come equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and brake-assist as safety options. There is a new 8-inch infotainment system with a capacitive touchscreen that also functions as a reversing camera. Behind the steering wheel, on the models with the CVT, there are paddle-shifters to gain control of the gearbox. Other features include a five-speaker audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and adjustable height on the driver’s seat.

With a few tweaks here and there, Honda plans to bring the HR-V facelift to the Indian markets in 2019. It is expected to butt heads with the higher variants of the Hyundai Creta, the upcoming Tata Harrier, and the Jeep Compass.