It is no secret that Honda is readying two brand new SUVs – the next-gen HR-V and an all-new sub-4 meter SUV for the global markets. The new SUVs will be introduced in the international markets by the mid-2021. The new sub-4 meter SUV is rumoured to be released in May 2021 and will be positioned against the Toyota Raize/ Daihatsu Rocky in Japan. The upcoming compact SUV is rumoured to be called the Honda ZR-V, as this name was recently trademarked.
Digital artist Kleber Silva has released a new rendering of the upcoming compact SUV. The rendering looks pure imagination, as it is mix of Honda Jazz/WR-V and the CR-V SUV. The front seems directly sourced from the bigger CR-V SUV, featuring typical Honda grille with chrome surround, sweptback headlamps with LED DRLs, dual-tone bumper and sculpted bonnet.
At the back, the rendering has roof-integrated spoiler, Jazz-inspired chrome bar connecting the vertically-stacked headlamps and dual-tone bumper. Other design highlights include usable roof rail, blacked-out roof, diamond-cut alloys, black plastic cladding and chrome-door handles.
The upcoming Honda ZR-V is expected to be based on the Amaze’s platform. Previous media reports suggest that the small SUV could use the Jazz’s platform; however, this will make it expensive for price sensitive markets including India. It is expected to 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 rumoured to be offered with two petrol engine options. The SUV will receive a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that also powers the Civic hatchback in select markets. This engine churns out 121bhp of power and 175Nm of torque. It is also rumoured to feature 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.
The new Honda compact SUV is also expected to arrive in our market in late 2021 or early 2022. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300 and others.
