The Japanese automaker is planning to expand its business in the Indian market. The company recently unveiled the Honda City e-HEV hybrid sedan that’s slated to launch next month (i.e. May 2022). According to a fresh media report, Honda will introduce an all-new compact SUV that will be designed to meet market specific requirements. While there is no official word on its launch timeline, the report claims that the model will arrive sometime in 2023.
The model is likely to be a mid-size SUV that will take on Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. The competition for Honda’s new compact SUV is going to be tougher as Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Kirloskar Motor will also bring in their models. Both automakers are jointly working on mid-size SUVs, which will share their platform and components. Though, the new Maruti and Toyota SUVs will look different.
Speculations are on rife that the upcoming Honda compact SUV will be based on the City’s platform. The model might share its design bits, features and components with the Honda RS Concept that broke cover at the GIIAS Auto Show in Indonesia. A few styling elements could be borrowed from the new BR-V and HR-V SUVs. The overall length of the SUV is likely to be around 4.3 meters.
It could be quite early to comment on its engine details. Though, the new Honda compact SUV is expected to feature a 1.5L iVTEC petrol engine under the hood. The motor pushes out a peak power of 121bhp and 145Nm of torque. Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system might also be offered on the new compact SUV. The same hybrid technology does duty in the newly-launched Honda City Hybrid. If it happens, the new Honda compact SUV will be high on mileage.
More details are likely to be revealed in neat future. Stay tuned to IndiaCarNews.
