Honda has given its HR-V e:HEV a fresh look for Europe. The compact SUV will hit showrooms in the UK and continental Europe this September with some notable upgrades.

The facelift brings a redesigned grille and revised front bumper, giving the HR-V a more purposeful stance. Honda's designers also tweaked the lighting units, adding darker internals and new LED graphics. Buyers will get three new color options to choose from: Sage Green, Seabed Blue, and Urban Grey.

Honda added a new top-tier trim called Advance Style Plus. It comes with a fixed panoramic glass roof, more body-colored accents, a Crystal Black grille, and a unique set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, Honda kept the 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch infotainment screen. The company made small changes to improve ergonomics, like tweaking the lower part of the center console for easier access to the wireless charging pad. Engineers also added extra sound-deadening material to make the cabin quieter.

The HR-V still has its handy rear Magic Seats. These can fold flat or flip up, just like in Honda's Jazz/Fit hatchback. Privacy glass now comes standard across the range.

Safety got a boost too. Honda added a Multi View Camera System and improved the Traffic Jam Assist feature. It can now provide steering support even when the car's at a complete stop.

Under the hood, the European HR-V keeps its e:HEV self-charging hybrid powertrain. It pairs a 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine with two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. The system puts out a combined 129 hp and sends power to the front wheels through a fixed-gear transmission.

While the Japanese version (called Vezel) offers all-wheel drive and a non-hybrid engine option, European buyers will only get the front-wheel-drive hybrid model.

Source: Honda