Honda to launch compact SUV in 2023 & mid-size SUV in 2024: Details

Honda might seem a bit slow in the Indian market, considering that they still do not have a SUV in their portfolio. That seems a bit of a bummer considering that SUVs are selling like hotcakes right now. Well, this will change soon. According to Autocar India, Honda is working on a compact SUV that will be going on sale in 2023 and there will also be a new mid-size SUV that will launch in 2024.

Both the SUVs will be based on Amaze’s platform which is a compact sedan. This will help in saving manufacturing and research and development costs. However, Honda will make some changes to the platform according to the vehicle requirements. The platform for the compact SUV is internally codenamed PF2 whereas for the mid-size SUV it is PF2S. In fact, the platform of the mid-size SUV does resemble the platform being used for the fifth-generation Honda City.

Honda Compact-SUV

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The compact SUV has been codenamed 3US. It will be going against Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300. The new compact SUV will be replacing the WR-V in the line-up.

The design of the compact SUV has been finalized and the engineering work is also progressing well. One advantage that the Honda 3US will have is that it is the last compact SUV to launch in the Indian market. So, Honda should have an ample amount of customer feedback.

The design will be an important aspect in terms of sales. It should not have a crossover-ish or a low bonnet design. People want a rugged looking, aggressive and boxy looking SUV. WR-V is not doing well in the Indian market mainly because of its crossover design. The same is true for the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. Some of the design elements can be taken from the Honda Concept RS which is a good looking SUV.

Honda is aiming to sell 6,200 compact SUVs in a month. It will come with the 1.5-litre diesel engine that is already doing duty on many Honda vehicles. It produces 100 PS of max power and 200 Nm of peak torque. There would also be a petrol engine on offer. It could be the same 1.2-litre unit as the Amaze and WR-V. However, it could get some additional boost using a turbocharger or some sort of hybrid system.

Honda mid-size SUV

Then there is the mid-size SUV which has been codenamed 3RA. It is expected to launch in 2024. The length will be 4.3 metres so it will be going against Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. Honda is aiming to sell 4,100 units of the mid-size SUV. Moreover, the Japanese manufacturer is also considering a third-row version which will have a 6 or a 7-seat configuration.

It could take some design elements from the N7X Concept which is likely to spawn the next-generation BR-V. The N7X Concept no longer looks like an MPV which is a good thing. This is important because people are looking for a SUV and MPV design language does not suit most people. The engine options will be taken from the fifth-gen City. So, there would be a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Via Autocar India

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