A minor facelift, if you could even call it that, of the Honda Vezel (known as the HR-V in Australia and most other markets) has debuted in Japan.
"We are unable to confirm at this stage whether the updated HR-V currently available in Japan will be introduced to the Australian market," said a Honda Australia spokesperson.
The only semi-significant changes to the exterior are the colour-coded wheel arch protectors, side sills, and lower front and rear bumper extensions. This greater use of body-colour trim only applies to higher grades, with cheaper variants still featuring black trim as in the current car.
Squint and you might notice the headlights now feature blackened lenses.
🚘 Don’t just read about your next car. Find a great deal with CarExpert.
In Japan, rear seat passengers are better cared for, with lower-spec variants gaining air vents and two USB-C ports at the back. In Australia, only the e:HEV L and e:HEV RS trims include these.
For the Japanese market, the base model is equipped with an 87kW/142Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive.
In the rest of the range there's a hybrid system that pairs a 78kW/127Nm 1.5-litre engine with a 96kW/253Nm electric motor. It drives either the front or all four wheels via an e-CVT.
Given Australia-bound HR-Vs are made in Japan, we expect some or all of these changes will arrive Down Under in the not-too-distant future, though the current HR-V has always been offered here exclusively with front-wheel drive.
According to Creative 311, the Vezel range will gain a new Trail Sport variant in December, which will feature more rugged and outdoorsy styling.
The HR-V/Vezel is the latest in a series of light, almost imperceptible, mid-cycle facelifts given by Honda to its vehicles.
In May, the revised ZR-V gained more hybrid variants and the latest Android-based infotainment system.
Just this month, Honda tweaked the slow-selling Accord with a few minor visual adjustments, a higher price and two fewer years of complimentary access to the Honda Connect service.