Seeing the growing demand for SUVs, Honda Cars is now readying multiple new SUVs for the international markets. The brand is also readying 2 new compact SUVs for the Indian market; however, Honda is yet to make an official announcement.
It is reported that Honda is considering the next-gen HR-V mid-sized SUV in India. We believe that the new HR-V would prove to be costlier for the price sensitive market. The SUV could be introduced as CKD, which will make it expensive against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. It is expected that Honda could launch a new sub-4 meter SUV in the country. Adding to it, Honda is reportedly working on a new mid-sized SUV which will be positioned below the HR-V in the global line-up.
It is expected that the new Honda compact SUV could be launched in the Indian market in 2022 or 2023. The new sub-4 meter SUV is likely to be positioned against the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and others in its category. It was speculated that Honda new compact SUV could be called the ZR-V, which is likely to be unveiled in May 2021 in Japan.
The new Honda sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be based on the Amaze platform. It is likely to share styling cues from the next generation HR-V and the XR-V crossover on sale in China. The new sub-4 meter SUV is rumoured to be offered with two petrol engines. It will receive a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 121bhp of power and 175Nm of torque. The sub-4 meter SUV could also receive a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with Honda’s compact hybrid system (e:HEV). This hybrid system is also available with the international-spec new-gen Jazz hatchback. It will also be offered with the India-spec City RS Hybrid, which is scheduled to be launched in 2021.
Honda is also working on a new mid-sized SUV, which will be positioned between the ZR-V and the HR-V. The new model could be based on the Jazz platform; however, low-cost Amaze platform will help Honda to achieve competitive pricing. The new SUV will be positioned against the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta.
