[TrueNorth]

You may have heard that Honda revealed the Chinese spec version of the HR-V in Chengdu recently. Though the XR-V is very similar to the Japanese Vezel, there are some differences. Here I point out the things that are different with the Honda XR-V.

The first thing that is different is the front fascia. It has some new fog lights and also integrated indicators. Dare I say that the Chinese seem to have gotten the better end of this deal.

The back end of the XR-V also has received a bit of a facelift. There are slimmer, connected tailights and a redesigned bumper. The rear lightbar taillights is a design trend that I am a fan of. I think that this feature would do great if added to the NA-spec model. This contrasts with the rear of the HR-V that doesn't look bad, but doesn't have quite the same allure as the XR-V.

Also, I think that it looks better in orange than slate grey.

Given that most of these updates are aesthetic, which ones would you like to see carry over to the HR-V?

 

[mainemanx]

You may have heard that Honda revealed the Chinese spec version of the HR-V in Chengdu recently.

––– SNIP –––

Given that most of these updates are aesthetic, which ones would you like to see carry over to the HR-V?

For me, the most important thing the Chinese version does is to get rid of that God-awful swoosh on the side--leading from behind the front wheel well up to the rear door handle.

The myriad of creases and highlights seem to have no fundamental theme--as if Zorro had been idly slashing away at it. As someone on vtec.net said, "It looks like 100lbs of styling on a 10lb car!"

Finally, the 3/4 rear view is simply childish.

My vote is 100% for the Chinese version! Dear wife however, prefers the non-Chinese version.

 

[Red]

China will get both

 

[Ganbare]

I prefer the HR-V myself. Considering most of these will never see an unpaved road the XR-V's styling is rugged to the point of being silly. Not crazy about the crease at the beltline or the rear reflectors either.

 

[Topspot]

I preferthe XR-V front and side, but I like the rear of the HR-V except I prefer the taillight bar

 

[TrueNorth]

For me, the most important thing the Chinese version does is to get rid of that God-awful swoosh on the side--leading from behind the front wheel well up to the rear door handle.

The myriad of creases and highlights seem to have no fundamental theme--as if Zorro had been idly slashing away at it. As someone on vtec.net said, "It looks like 100lbs of styling on a 10lb car!"

Finally, the 3/4 rear view is simply childish.

My vote is 100% for the Chinese version! Dear wife however, prefers the non-Chinese version.

I see what you are saying, but I have to say that the Chinese version doesn't have those contours and it makes it look a lot more boxy than the NA version. I don't think that contours are all bad. I think that something between the NA and Chinese versions would be ideal.

 

[Harry_Wild]

XR-V is best looking of the two! That means that in the U.S. we will end up with the HR-V; the second best model! LOL!

 

[Red]

I see what you are saying, but I have to say that the Chinese version doesn't have those contours and it makes it look a lot more boxy than the NA version. I don't think that contours are all bad. I think that something between the NA and Chinese versions would be ideal.

that sounds like a soupy mess of melted design, no thank you...

 

[sbarne3]

It looks like the Chinese version in your pictures is just a concept... Do we know if that is how the final one will look?
I agree that the XR-V looks better.

 

[Bicepeak]

I don't care for the dog bone bumper/ lights on the XRV. I think they were trying for rugged, but just ended up with clunky and tacked on. The HR-V looks cleaner in comparison despite being called "busy" by some.


And then at the back, those reflector holder pods add to the clunky.
Are they supposed to scoop air?.....from the back?


I like the light bar on XRV, but I won't miss them since I like the rear of the HR-V just as it is. The light bar looks a bit thin though, so maybe that is the reason for the funky reverse air scoops to put more substance back.


Maybe it's trying too hard to make the XRV "different" from the rest of the world.

 

[vtec]

Starting to rethink all the good things i had to say about how the HRV looks. The XRV design is much better, i'd love to have that over the HRV purely for looks.

 

[paparomx5]

I like it more too, it's a pity to have it only in China.
after the photos in France (if they are real) I'm optimistic it may come to Europe

 

[xcore]

I like the HR-V better. The XR-V is just funky...

 

[blk_shadow]

I still like the front end of the HR-V, it's more aggressive. While XR-V is more rugged.

 

[mtngrl16]

I like the XRV grill, it's simpler and very nice looking. But still prefer the HRV styling over all, especially the rear. The XRV's tail lights look small and out of proportion to the rest of the rear end. HRV wins!

 

[JaegerRex]

I prefer the HR-V.

 

[saltysol]

XR-V4me

 

[RICKMAN]

I like both, but especially love that rear red brake light of the XR-V

 

[HondaWanda]

The XR-V's design is more edgy compared to the HR-V.