Japanese automaker, Honda Cars India has finally confirmed its upcoming SUV via a new teaser image. The company has confirmed that the all-new SUV will be revealed ths summer, most probably in April 2023. We reported earlier that the company is preparing two new SUVs – a sub-compact SUV codenamed PF2 and a new compact SUV codenamed PF2S.
The new Honda SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and MG Astor. The new SUV will be based on a modified version of Amaze’s platform, which has commonalities with the 4th gen City sedan. The new SUV won’t be offered with a diesel powertrain; however, it will have a petrol and hybrid engine options.
The teaser comes with a tagline, “Kicking off 2023 with a sneak peek of the upcoming all-new Honda SUV. Premiering this summer”. Honda further said that the all-new SUV has been designed at the Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. following extensive market surveys in India for people’s changing lifestyle requirements and expectations from Honda for their new SUV in terms of design & performance.”
The teaser image shows the silhouette of the new Honda SUV for the Indian market. The new model shares the styling cues from Honda’s global SUVs, featuring an upright nose and signature grille with wider wrap-around headlamps, a multi-slat grille with chrome bar running above, and a large Honda badge sitting right between the two headlamps and on to the grille. The LED DRLs are placed above the headlamps, which seems well integrated with a chrome bar.
The new Honda SUV will have a coupe-like profile with a tapering roof. This styling is already offered on the new-gen HR-V on sale in international markets. Chunky cladding is visible on the flared wheel arches, and large multi-spoke alloy wheels will be on offer. The SUV gets prominent roof rails and ORVMs with integrated LED turn indicators.
The front fascia has a differently designed bumper that accommodates a wider air-dam, a faux skid plate and round-shaped fog lamps. The new SUV will measure around 4.3 meters in length, which will make it a direct rival to Creta & the Grand Vitara. Previous reports reveal that the new Honda SUV will come with an all-new interior, which will feature an all-electronic architecture and screen system that’s offered on the new Accord & CR-V sold overseas. It could get a 10.2-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SUV could also receive ADAS tech, which we have already seen on the new City hybrid.
The new Honda SUV could be called the “Elevate”, as this name was registered by the company in India in 2021. It will be offered with a 121bhp/145Nm, 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with manual and CVT automatic gearbox. The hybrid version will receive the brand’s patented 1.5L Atkinson cycle engine with e:HEV hybrid tech. This engine currently powers the City sedan in our market. It will come with two electric motors. The gasoline unit produces a peak power of 98bhp and with electric assistance it makes 109bhp. Its combined torque output stands at 253Nm. It will come with a single, fixed-gear ratio with three drive modes – Engine, EV and Hybrid.
