It is no secret that Honda is readying an all-new sub-4 meter SUV, which is rumoured to be presented to the Japanese market in May 2021. The company is already selling the WR-V in the highly competitive compact SUV segment; however, it is more like a jagged-up hatchback with SUV-like design highlights. The upcoming compact SUV, expected to be called Honda ZR-V, will have more SUV-ish profile to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Toyota Raize and the Daihatsu Rocky.
Honda had trademarked the ZR-V nameplate, which is expected to be the name for the upcoming sub-4 meter crossover. The new model is expected to be based on the Honda Amaze’s platform. Previous reports suggest that the new Honda ZR-V could use the Jazz’s platform; however, this will make it expensive for price sensitive markets including India.
Japanese media reports that the upcoming Honda ZR-V will have an upright front fascia, featuring a thick chrome bar on the grille and sleek headlamps with LED DRLs. The compact SUV will have squared-off wheel arches, multi-spoke alloy wheels and black plastic cladding all-around the body. The new model could share styling cues from the next-gen HR-V and the XR-V crossover on sale in China.
The new sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be offered with two petrol engine options. The SUV will have a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that also powers the Honda City RS and the Civic hatchback. This engine is capable of producing 121bhp and 175Nm of torque. The other engine option will include 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.
To be positioned below the HR-V, the upcoming Honda HR-V is expected to be launched in the Indian market in 2021-22. The new sub-4 meter SUV will directly rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitara Brezza and others in its category.
