30 August 2001: Honda’s 3- AND 5-door HR-V models are being updated for the 2002 model year. In place of the current front bumper with its single horizontal opening and ‘detached’ underguard, the new bumper design forms more of a ‘whole’ and the deeper section now has two wide horizontal openings flanked on either side by large, circular ‘air intakes’. A new honeycomb mesh grille in the style of the Civic Type-R adds a more 'determined' effect.

At the rear a similar design approach features a deeper bumper fully integrated with the underguard. Its single horizontal opening is complemented by a pair of large circular reflectors.

The 16 inch alloy wheels now feature a new design, and as a final detail touch new Honda ‘H’ marks appear on the bonnet and tailgate window.

Inside, the HR-V has black replacing blue as the predominant colour, set off by applications of a sporty silver finish around the cabin, most notably on the centre panel and around the dual-cowled instrument binnacle. Further detailing that gets the metallic look includes the interior door handles, window switches, handbrake button and manual gearshift knob.There's also a new pile seat material and he rear headrests on 5-door models are now integrated into the seat structure.

Last year sales of 25,616 were second only to the Honda CR-V in the overall European petrol-engined 4x4 market.