New Delhi: Honda’s new SUV for India has been in the works for a long time, which will be key to sustain the carmaker in our market.

Come April 2023, hwill have just two models on sale in India – the City petrol (and its hybrid version) and the Amaze – as the brand will have to pull the plug on models like the Jazz and WR-V, as well as the fourth-generation City and City and Amaze diesel . The new SUV will therefore be key to filling the void in Honda’s portfolio in India.

Expected to debut sometime around mid-2023, Honda’s new SUV will be a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and also the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. It is likely to go on sale later during the 2023 holiday season.

Mid-size SUV Honda: design and dimensions

Honda’s new mid-size SUV will measure around 4.2-4.3 meters in length and will be based on an updated version of the platform used by the Amaze in India. However, there are no further details on what the model might look like – in fact, there haven’t even been any camouflaged sightings of the SUV.

However, if Honda’s global SUV portfolio is anything to go by, expect a similar design language to the next-generation WRV SUV from Indonesia, the latest-generation CR-V and BR-V three-row SUVs sold overseas. . The face is likely to have a large hexagonal grille flanked by wrap-around headlights; may have clean and sharp lines and have an upright stance with a high nose. Honda says the mid-size SUV will be India-specific, meaning we could see generous use of chrome to suit local tastes.

Honda mid-size SUV: Interior and features

While we don’t have concrete details about the interior of Honda’s mid-size SUV, sources tell us that Honda’s upcoming SUV for India will get an all-new electronic architecture and screen system that is seen on the new Accord and CR-V sold abroad. So it could get a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen layout.

The higher variants of the mid-size SUV are also likely to get Honda Sensing, which debuted with the City e:HEV in India. It’s basically Honda’s ADAS suite of features and will bring features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist and more.

Honda mid-size SUV: powertrain options

Honda’s upcoming mid-size SUV will come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 121bhp petrol engine from the fifth generation City. The higher trim could also be offered with the 1.5-liter powerful hybrid petrol engine available on the City e:HEV.

This engine is currently being imported to India for use in the City e:HEV, although if Honda can achieve economies of scale with the mid-size SUV, it could then localize the engine in India, which will help lower prices for the powerful-hybrid variants. Transmission options could be similar to what is already offered for both powertrains in India – 5-speed manual and CVT for the 1.5-litre petrol NA and e-drive for the potent hybrid.

Honda mid-size SUV: launch schedule and rivals

Honda is expected to withdraw the mid-size SUV in India sometime around mid-2023, followed by a launch later in the festive season. Upon launch, it will find itself at the center of one of the fastest-growing segments with rivals including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, as well as newer models like the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder that come with a powerful hybrid. power units. The upcoming SUV will have a high level of localization, so the pricing can be expected to be competitive.