Honda Vezel

The Honda Vezel (Japanese: ホンダ・ヴェゼル) is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Honda. The vehicle was first introduced to the Japanese market in late 2013, and made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2014 with the revived name Honda HR-V.[1] The HR-V nameplate has been carried over to other markets, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia and Canada.[2][3] In Singapore the official Honda distributor sells the HR-V, while the parallel imported version retains the name Vezel.[4]

For the export model of the Vezel, see Honda HR-V.

Honda Vezel
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda HR-V Honda XR-V / Everus VE-1 (China)
Production	2013–present
Assembly	Yorii, Saitama, Japan Guangzhou, China (Guangqi Honda)
Designer	Manabu Konaka (2012)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	FF layout AWD layout
Related	Honda Fit Honda WR-V Honda XR-V
Powertrain
Engine	1.5L L15B I4 1.5L LEB Hybrid I4 1.8L R18A1 I4
Transmission	7-speed automatic DCT
Hybrid drivetrain	Parallel Hybrid (Vezel Hybrid)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Length	4,295 mm (169.1 in) 4,335 mm (170.7 in) (facelift) 4,308 mm (169.6 in) (Everus VE-1)
Width	1,770 mm (69.7 in) 1,824 mm (71.8 in) (Everus VE-1)
Height	1,605 mm (63.2 in) 1,610 mm (63.4 in) (Everus VE-1)
Curb weight	1,180–1,270 kg (2,601–2,800 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda HR-V (first generation) Honda Crossroad (Japan)

Origin and debut

Honda "Urban SUV Concept" (2013)

The Urban SUV Concept is based on Honda's Global Compact Series, which includes the Honda Fit subcompact and the Honda City subcompact sedan. This vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show as the reintroduced Honda HR-V.[5][6]

Honda Vezel (2013-present)

Honda Vezel (Singapore)

The design of Honda Vezel is based on Honda "Urban SUV Concept". “Vezel” is coined from “bezel”, the oblique faces of a cut gem, with the “V” for “vehicle.”[7]

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.[8] Japan models went on sale on 20 December 2013. The Vezel is available with two powertrains, as a conventional gasoline-powered and as hybrid electric vehicle.[7] In Japan, it is regarded as a luxury vehicle as the width dimension exceeds Japanese Government dimension regulations, and Japanese buyers are liable for yearly taxes as a result. The Japanese road tax obligation is held to a more affordable tax bracket due to the engine displacement being held under the 2.0 L threshold.

The conventional Vezel is equipped with a 1.5-liter direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC inline-four engine coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

The Vezel hybrid version is equipped with Honda’s next-generation sport hybrid i-DCD system that combines a 97 kW (130 hp), 156 N⋅m (115 lb⋅ft) 1.5-liter direct injection engine with a 22 kW (30 hp), 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) electric motor, Honda’s Real Time AWD, Reactive Force Pedal. The hybrid version fuel economy is 27.0 km/l (76.3 mpg_‑imp; 63.5 mpg_‑US) (3.7 L/100 km) in the Japanese JC08 cycle, while the gasoline version has a fuel economy of 20.6 km/l (58.2 mpg_‑imp; 48.5 mpg_‑US) (4.9 L/100 km) in the JC08 cycle.[7]

Tokyo Auto Salon 2014 concepts

The Vezel Modulo Concept includes red leather upholstery at seats, centre console, dashboard.[9] There was also a Mugen Vezel Concept, fitted with various Mugen accessories.[10][11]

The vehicles were unveiled at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon.[12][13][14]

Everus VE-1 in China

An electric vehicle version of the Honda Vezel was called the Everus VE-1 in China, based on the Everus EV concept. Production model debuted in November 2019.[15] In comparison to dimensions, the Everus VE-1 is 13 mm longer, 54 mm wider and 5 mm higher.

Facelift (2018)

The facelifted model was unveiled on 25 January 2018 in Japan and released later on 15 February 2018. It features a revised chrome bar grille and LED headlamps both being similar to Honda Civic, thin chrome garnish strip on the rear trunk and updated front bumper.[16]

• 
  2019 Honda Vezel Touring (RU1; facelift, Japan)
• 
  2019 Honda Vezel Hybrid Modulo X (RU3; facelift, Japan)

Engines

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Type/code	Power@rpm, Torque@rpm
DBA-RU1 (G, X, S; FF)	2013-	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 (L15B)	131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp)@6600, 15.8 kg⋅m (155 N⋅m; 114 lbf⋅ft)@4600
DBA-RU2 (G; AWD)	2013-	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 (L15B)	131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp)@6600, 15.8 kg⋅m (155 N⋅m; 114 lbf⋅ft)@4600
DAA-RU3 (HYBRID, HYBRID X, HYBRID Z; FF)	2013-	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 (LEB)	132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp)@6600, 15.9 kg⋅m (156 N⋅m; 115 lbf⋅ft)@4600
		Electric motor (Honda H1)	29.5 PS (22 kW; 29 hp)@1313-2000, 16.3 kg⋅m (160 N⋅m; 118 lbf⋅ft)@0-1313
		combined	?
DAA-RU4 (HYBRID, HYBRID X, HYBRID X L-package; 4WD)	2013-	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 (LEB)	132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp)@6600, 15.9 kg⋅m (156 N⋅m; 115 lbf⋅ft)@4600
		Electric motor (Honda H1)	29.5 PS (22 kW; 29 hp)@1313-2000, 16.3 kg⋅m (160 N⋅m; 118 lbf⋅ft)@0-1313
		combined	?

Transmissions

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Types
DBA-RU1 (G, X, S; FF)	2013-	CVT
DBA-RU2 (G; AWD)	2013-	CVT
DAA-RU3 (HYBRID, HYBRID X, HYBRID Z; FF)	2013-	7-speed automatic (Dual clutch Transmission)
DAA-RU4 (HYBRID, HYBRID X, HYBRID X L-package; 4WD)	2013-	7-speed automatic (Dual clutch Transmission)

Sales

Calendar year	Japan
2014	96,029[17]
2015	71,021[18]
2016	73,889[19]
2017	64,332[20]
2018	59,629[21]
2019	55,886[22]

Recall

Vezel Hybrid produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014 were recalled due to a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all.[23]

Honda recalled 160,000 Fit subcompact and Vezel sport-utility vehicles, manufactured from August 2013 through February 2016, in Japan, because of defective power steering and a part that controls the electric current in the vehicles. The recall does not affect any Honda models sold abroad.[24]

See also

• Honda Fit

References

1. Adams, Davis (17 April 2014). "HONDA'S 2015 HR-V SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER MAKES PHOTOGRAPHIC DEBUT IN NEW YORK". Digital Trends. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
2. Stevens, Mike. "Honda HR-V Confirmed For Australia: Official". The Motor Report. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
3. ANNOUNCING THE ALL-NEW HR-V COMPACT SUV
4. "Honda Vezel VS Nissan Qashqai: Is it Worth The Extra $5,000?". Carsome Singapore. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
5. Honda Urban SUV concept previews Fit-based crossover
6. Honda Urban SUV Concept
7. Honda News (2013-12-20). "Honda begins sales of new VEZEL and VEZEL hybrid in Japan". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
8. Anita Lienert (Nov 20, 2013). "Honda Vezel Previews Small SUV for U.S." Edmunds.com.
9. Tokyo Auto Salon 2014: Honda Vezel Modulo Concept
10. "無限 | VEZEL | ヴェゼル". Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
11. MUGEN | VEZEL
12. 「東京オートサロン2014 with NAPAC」出展概要
13. Overview of Honda Exhibition at TOKYO AUTO SALON 2014 with NAPAC
14. MUGEN POWER 2014 TOKYO AUTO SALON 2014 with NAPAC Overview of Exhibition
15. "2018广州车展:理念VE-1补贴后售17.08万".
16. "Honda Vezel Relaunches With A Mild Facelift". Carscoops.
17. "2014 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
18. "2015 (Full Year) Japan: 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 2016-01-08. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
19. "2016 (Full Year) Japan: 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
20. "2017 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
21. "2018 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
22. "【人気爆発ライズ RAV4の影で大幅減のC-HR…】トヨタSUVで壮絶な共喰拡大中!!". 自動車情報誌「ベストカー」 (in Japanese). 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
23. Recall of Fit Hybrid/Vezel Hybrid
24. フィット 13G(ガソリン仕様車)、VEZEL(ガソリン仕様車)のリコール

External links

• Honda pages: Japan