The HR-V SUV will likely be Honda’s answer to the vastly growing premium compact SUV segment ruled by Hyundai Creta
The speculations of the Honda HR-V entering India have long been there since it made its global debut but no definitive plans are announced yet. It appears that Honda could showcase a Creta rivalling SUV at the 2020 Auto Expo and it could be the much-awaited HR-V aka Vezel. The Japanese manufacturer has been strengthening its premium portfolio in the last one year.
Following the debut of latest CR-V and Civic at the last edition of the Indian Auto Expo, Honda stuck by its guns and launched the CR-V first while the tenth generation Civic is waiting to be introduced on March 7 with a diesel engine for the first time and a slew of segment-first features including Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold, Lane Watch, etc.
The HR-V SUV could join the fray sometime in the due course of next year following its domestic premiere. The compact premium SUV has all the ingredients to compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and a host of upcoming models such as Kia SP2i, Skoda Kamiq, Tata Blackbird and others. It could go as far as brushing shoulders with Tata Harrier.
The HR-V in markets like Japan comes with an exterior boasting sporty bumper with brand logo positioned at the centre on a big chrome bar. The LED headlights have a sleek profile and there are large fog lamp enclosures compounding the overall design. It carries the brand’s latest global design language with sharp body panels and horizontal tail lamps.
Honda HR-V could use the 141 PS 1.8-litre petrol and 120 PS 1.6-litre turbocharge diesel used in the Civic and CR-V with BSVI compliance. We can expect Honda to offer six-speed manual and CVT automatic with paddle shifters as transmission options. It measures 4,294 mm in length, 1,772 mm in width and stands 1,605 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,610 mm.
The 2019 Honda HR-V sold in global markets has Honda Sensing safety suite as standard for the first time and it also comes with a range of premium features. Expect it to be priced between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 16 lakh (ex-showroom).