Honda Vezel Becomes HR-V In USA

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Automotive News is reporting that Honda is reviving an old, but unused moniker for their new small crossover.

Honda fansite Temple of VTEC originally reported that Honda will ditch the “Vezel” name for North America, instead dubbing their new B-segment CUV the “HR-V”. This finding seems to be confirmed by AN, which found trademark filings for the moniker.

Like the Vezel, the original HR-V was positioned below the CR-V, though it never was exported to North America. For a Honda, its design was fairly progressive, though it was likely too small and too slow to succeed in the size-obsessed North American market in the early 2000’s.

This time, things are different. Crossovers, not SUVs, are the hot new thing, displacing sales of more traditional B, C and D segments. Honda will produce the HR-V at its new Mexican plant, which is set up to build both the Fit and the HR-V. And with the B-segment crossover space heating up, the HR-V is a well timed move for Honda.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Invisible Invisible on Apr 07, 2014

    I'm willing to bet this will sell more than the new FIT. If this has the new 1.5 turbo, yeehaw

  • Flybrian Flybrian on Apr 07, 2014

    My question - has the CR-V actually grown that much to necessitate this vehicle?

  • Calgarytek Calgarytek on Apr 07, 2014

    Meh, the Vezel has been part of Honda's line up for a while. Its customer base will be 99% women and domesticated men. It's a good lower cost, lower size substitute. It mainly competes with the Nissan Joke. As for the CR-V, it's grown bigger, which is sad. I've driven the new one, and while it drives ok, it's still fat and don't got front double wishbones. I'm just about to close a deal on a 2000 4WD CR-V with a standard transmission. I need the ground clearance. Getting it properly 'winterized' would be a good side project during the summer. Too bad Honda doesn't offer their 4WD fit 'Hybrid' in North America. I'd love to take the batteries out and disable the front wheel drive portion. http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/webcatalog/performance/?from=FIT-header

    • See 4 previous
    • Doublechili Doublechili on Apr 07, 2014

      @Drzhivago138 "For what it’s worth, anyone who buys a vehicle solely for its outward looks is a fool. As the driver, you will not even see most of what attracted you to it in the first place!" Great! When discussing the merits of a car's appearance, I like to say, "I can't see it when I'm driving it". "[A]ny man (or woman!) worth his (or her!) salt will not allow other people’s needs/input to override his (or her!) own when it comes to such an important purchase as a vehicle...." Well said! Now excuse me while I go listen to some music on my 4" decor-blending, bass-light cube speakers while my old thumping vinyl-clad monsters collect dust in the attic.

  • Slavuta Slavuta on Apr 07, 2014

    If you name one well-built, reliable car that came off any Mexican assembly plant, I will stop saying that I will not buy it because it is built in Mexico. Hello Juke Nismo. Made in Japan.

    • Victor Victor on Apr 07, 2014

      Down here se get the mexican CRV, and I know people who wouldn't trade in their now over seven years old nipponese import for a brand-new car.

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