Honda midsize SUV has been confirmed to debut in the coming months before going on sale later this year; will boast a new electronic architecture
Honda Cars India revealed the first teaser of its long-awaited midsize SUV earlier this month. The Japanese manufacturer has even confirmed that the five-seater will debut this summer and we can expect it to reach dealerships later this calendar year. The upcoming model holds plenty of significance for the brand as a host of offerings will be discontinued ahead of the RDE regulations coming in place by April 2023.
The brand will let go of the fourth-gen City midsize sedan, WR-V compact crossover based on the Jazz and in fact the Jazz premium hatchback itself along with the diesel engine equipped City and Amaze sedans. Therefore, Honda’s domestic portfolio will only feature the petrol powered Amaze and City, and the e:HEV City.
While some argue that Honda could be late to the party, it must be noted that the midsize SUV segment’s potential is only expanding every year and more manufacturers are stepping in by bringing new bits to the table to garner attention. For instance, the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara arrived with mild-hybrid and strong hybrid frugal powertrains.
Besides them, the Honda midsize SUV will take on Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. While Honda may not have an answer for the performance-based turbo petrol engines available in the Taigun and Kushaq, it will more likely stand toe-to-toe with the Hyryder and Grand Vitara and the other NA petrol engines available in the segment.
It will use the same engine lineup as the fifth generation City as the a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine developing 121 hp and the 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol mill enabling a high fuel efficiency will take the centre stage. As for the transmission, a five-speed manual, a CVT and an e-drive unit are highly possible.
Expected to have an overall length of around 4.3 metres and take design inspiration from global Honda SUVs, it will sit on the modified version of the Amaze’s platform. It will utilise a new electronic architecture and features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system, in-car connected technology, digital instrument console, ADAS, etc could be available.