2017 Honda HR-V Limited Edition revealed

A limited edition has rejoined the Honda HR-V range as the Japanese car maker chases a bigger slice of one of the most hotly contested new car segments.

Based on the $24,990 entry-level VTi, Honda claims the HR-V Limited Edition adds $3600 in value to the cheapest model, yet only costs $1425 more.

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Honda hopes the special model will help the HR-V build sales against rivals that are either matching or outpacing it in the market, including the segment-leading Mitsubishi ASX, the recently updated Mazda CX-3, and the Nissan Qashqai.

The Limited edition ditches the VTi’s standard 16-inch alloys for the 17-inch ones fitted to the $27,990 VTi-S. It also adds reversing sensors to back up the range-wide reversing camera – something that doesn’t become standard until you hand over $33,340 for the VTi-L – side steps lifted from the HR-V options bin, keyless entry and push-button start, and roof rails.

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However, unlike some rivals such as the Mazda CX-3, the limited-run HR-V doesn’t have automatic city braking as standard. However, it did have satellite navigation added as standard equipment earlier this year, giving it an edge in the eyes of some buyers.

Pinning Honda down to saying how long the HR-V Limited Edition will hang around has proved a bit difficult, although the car maker says that based on the success of the previous Limited Edition deal-sweetener, this one is expected to hang around for a bit longer.

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Honda is pricing the HR-V Limited Edition at $28,990 drive-away.

The small SUV segment has accounted for 7.5 percent of new cars sold in Australia over the first five months of this year, with SUVs overall representing two out of every five new-car sales.