The lucrative mid-size SUV segment has already led to a heated competition among the leading carmakers in India. While Hyundai and Kia dominate, the likes of MG, Volkswagen, Skoda, Maruti Suzuki, and Toyota have entered the segment in a bid to attract customers. Now, Honda is marching ahead to take a piece of the pie with an all-new SUV that has been recently spied testing. The new Honda SUV will be aimed squarely at the likes of Hyundai Creta and is expected to debut in the coming months, and launch in the festive season of 2023. Here is what you can expect from the new Honda SUV.
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New Honda SUV: Design
The new Honda SUV will be around 4,200 – 4,300 mm long and based on an updated version of the Honda Amaze’s platform. While the test mule was heavily camouflaged, it revealed some key design elements. The front end features an upright nose and sleek headlamps, which are largely similar to those of the Honda HR-V sold overseas. The spy shots also give away the roof rails and the sunroof. The side profile highlights a large glasshouse, a prominent shoulder line, a sloping roofline, squarish wheel arches, and cameras attached to the wing mirrors alluding to the possibility of a 360-degree camera or Honda’s Lane Watch system. At the rear, the tail lamps look similar to those of the new-gen Honda WR-V and there is a spoiler mounted at the top end of the tailgate.
New Honda SUV: Engine and Transmission
The new Honda midsize SUV is expected to share engines with the fifth-gen Honda City, which is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid unit. The transmission options will consist of a 6-speed manual gearbox and a CVT for the NA petrol unit, and eCVT for the strong hybrid unit. This means, after the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the new Honda SUV will be the third SUV in the segment to come with strong hybrid technology.Moreover, due to the similar powertrains, the mileage figures of new Honda mid-size can be expected close to Honda City Hybrid’s mileage of 26.5 km/l.
New Honda SUV: Launch and Rivals
With its debut expected in the coming month, the new Honda mid-size SUV is likely to launch in the festive season of 2023. Once launched, the new Honda SUV will compete with Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and MG Astor. According to reports, the production of the new Honda mid-size SUV will largely be domestic, which will help Honda price it aggressively. Due to the strong-hybrid powertrains, the new Honda mid-size SUV will also rival the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Honda is expected to price its strong-hybrid variants close to the prices of strong-hybrid variants of Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
