Honda will launch the new Jazz based compact SUV- HR-V/Vezel in several international markets. If media reports are to be believed, the Japanese maker is also contemplating a new Honda mini SUV for the Brazilian market. The new SUV will be positioned below the Vezel/HR-V and is likely to go on sale in Brazil by the first quarter of 2016. Surprisingly, the new compact SUV, reportedly, will be based on the new Honda Jazz.
Unlike the Vezel crossover which is also based on the Jazz platform, the new SUV is expected to be cheaper than the crossover sibling. Moreover, the new mini SUV will get a less powerful engine which is likely to be a 1.5-litre i-VTEC instead of the Vezel’s 1.8L. The company might also strip premium features that are offered on the Vezel. If media reports are to be believed, the vehicle will miss out on the features like the floating center tunnel, touchscreen automatic climate control and others.
Reports suggest that the new mini SUV will be inspired from the Vision XS-1 concept showcased at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show. The design of the SUV is jointly developed by Japanese engineers and Brazilian inputs. It will directly compete against the likes of Ford EcoSport. According to Car & Driver, the new SUV will be about 8 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the EcoSport.
Honda is also contemplating a compact SUV for the Indian car market. It is expected that the new mini SUV will be based on the Brio platform; however, nothing concrete on the same have been revealed.
