Closer look at the world's first VTEC Turbo-powered 2022 Honda HR-V RS

The 2022 Honda HR-V RS VTEC Turbo made its world debut at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2022, and here is your closer look at the car courtesy of our colleagues at Autofun.co.id.

Naturally it's the most powerful HR-V available anywhere in the world right now, thanks to 177 PS and 240 Nm of torque from its 1.5-litre VTEC turbo engine that's shared with the Civic FE, CR-V, and the Accord.

Also read: VTEC Turbo-powered 2022 Honda HR-V debuts with Sensing, 177 PS, price up by 14%

Though everything is still hush-hush about the Malaysian-market HR-V – the viral silver one is not it by the way – our ASEAN neighbours' cars lends a few clues as to what to expect.

For example, standard kit for the Indonesian-spec HR-V includes LED headlights and LED combination tail lights, hill descent control, vehicle stability assist, and most importantly Honda Sensing for all variants.

Also read: From foggy roads to congested cities, Honda Civic’s Sensing is one of the best

Speaking of Sensing, the HR-V gets an electric parking brake (EPB), meaning that its adaptive cruise control will have genuine stop & go capability, something that the Corolla Cross with its mechanical (foot-operated) parking brake can't do.

The RS adds on a bodykit, dual tailpipes, 18-inch wheels, a drive mode selector, and an expansive panoramic sunroof. There's also an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple Car Play support.

Also read: Malaysia-bound 2022 Honda HR-V may get Corolla Cross-style CRT TV-like infotainment? Here’s why

Sadly one more thing we can expect is a price increase. It's happened in Japan, and in Indonesia prices for the new HR-V are up to 14% higher than the previous generation, and it now ranges from IDR 355.9 mil (~RM 105k, 1.5 S) to IDR 499.9 mil (~RM 147k, RS Turbo).

Also read: All-new 2021 Honda HR-V gets more expensive in Japan; Malaysia to follow

That said our sources are confident that the all-new 2022 Honda HR-V's prices in Malaysia can be more than a match to the Toyota Corolla Cross range. We reckon this will concentrate at around the RM 125k – RM 135k ballpark.

Realistically we can expect it to be launched here in the second half of this year (H2 2022), which means it won't benefit from sales tax exemption for locally-assembled (CKD) passenger cars, which will expire on 30-June 2022. 

Also read: 2022 Honda HR-V to launch in Malaysia after June - VTEC Turbo, e:HEV hybrid hinted