Honda has revealed details about the interior of its latest hybrid electric vehicle, the HR-V e:HEV. When redesigning the HR-V, Honda says it aimed to offer maximum space with compact dimensions, but also to make entry and exit easier for passengers. This follows Honda’s principle of ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’, which means technology and design should serve a vehicle’s driver and passengers.
The interior was designed with a focus on space and light, alongside the use of contemporary fabrics and textured materials to create a solid, premium feel, with the quality of soft-touch materials. An air diffusion system in the form of L-shaped vents in the top corners of the dashboard subtly directs a stream of air along the front side windows to the roof, creating a vortex of air beside and above occupants to create a comfortable and airy interior environment.
A new driving position, which is 10mm higher than the previous model’s, contributes to excellent outward visibility. Windows are designed to admit as much light as possible, which is aided by the horizontally oriented, noiseless instrumental panel and the flat line of the bonnet.
The vehicle features the next generation of Honda’s body-stabilizing front seats, with mat-structure support to replace the previous spring setup and help prevent fatigue on long journeys. The interior control layout has been simplified to increase the sense of space; it features recognizable audio and ventilation controls for safe and intuitive operation.
The HR-V offers increased legroom and shoulder space compared with the previous model, including a 35mm increase in rear legroom and an additional 2° of recline enabled by Honda’s center tank layout and packaging of hybrid components. The platform configuration also allows Honda to retain its Magic Seat setup, which offers fold-flat and flip-up seat flexibility, depending on the amount of load space required.
A multitude of storage space is provided, with a center console in the middle of the cabin with a front pocket for small items and USB charging sockets in the front and back, alongside a wireless charging pad. A premium audio system and external amplifier also feature.
A 9in LCD touchscreen interface with a simplified and fully customizable menu layer enables access to features and controls. HMI operation time is greatly improved compared with previous HMI systems, making it easy to switch between apps and providing a fast response to inputs and commands. The driver can also decide how much ADAS information is displayed on the 7in TFT e:HEV meter. The interface is navigated using familiar smartphone-style controls and also enables smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, wi-fi or cable, and Android Auto by cable. Over-the-air software updates allow upgrades to the vehicle’s latest features and apps.
