The country’s mid-size SUV segment has already caused an intense competition among the leading carmakers in India. Currently the Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia are dominating with the Creta & Seltos SUV duo. But others like MG, Volkswagen, Skoda, Maruti Suzuki, and Toyota have also jumped into the bandwagon to take the lead.
And now, Honda is coming with its all-new SUV built for Indian roads which will be better than the WR-V. This is the automaker’s second shot at the segment after pulling the plug on the WR-V due to low sales.
The mid-size SUV was recently spied testing on Indian roads with a full camouflage. And here is what we expect from Honda’s new SUV.
Honda Mid-Size SUV: Looks & Features
The heavily camouflaged prototype does a pretty good job of hiding most of the styling bits. But some kind of resemblance to the internationally sold HR-V can be seen upon close observation.
Honda had also released a few teaser images of this upcoming SUV. Taking all the spied & teaser images into consideration, we can make out that up front, the SUV will get a segmented LED DRL design integrated into the LED headlamps. To give it a butch stance, Honda has given its SUV roof-rails and a sloping roof line. It also has a heavily raked rear windscreen with its spoiler integrated into the tailgate with a wiper & washer.
Many of the City mid-size sedan’s styling bits such as the shark-fin antenna, door-mounted ORVMs are seen on the SUV. Also similar to the sedan, this new SUV also will get the Lane-Watch Camera which comes mounted under the ORVMs. The previously released teaser image from Honda also confirmed LED fog lights and body cladding.
Other elements include an upright fascia, a wide grille, a small air dam, square wheel-arches, high-mounted stop-lamp, and black B-pillars. Like its rivals, the Honda SUV is also expected to measure around 4.3 meters in length.
Honda Mid-Size SUV: Engines & Powertrains
Honda’s new SUV will be based on an updated version of the Amaze platform. Currently no information about the powertrain specs is available, yet we can expect the City’s engines.
It is likely to be powered by the 121hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine offered in the City. While in the higher trims, it could also get the strong-hybrid powertrain making it the third SUV in the segment.
Transmission options might include a 5-speed manual, CVT and an e-drive transmission.
Honda Mid-Size SUV: Rivals & Launch Details
The SUV will be aimed at the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, VW Taigun, MG Astor and others. Honda’s SUV offering is expected to debut in the coming months, and get launched in the festive season of 2023.