Honda’s New Hyundai Venue Rival In the Making

The sub-4-metre SUV segment is exploding in the Indian market, with an increase in demand from customers as well as an increase in offerings from car manufacturers. While Honda already has a contender in the segment, the WR-V, it isn’t really a subcompact SUV but a crossover hatchback based on the Jazz. Now, it seems like Honda is working on a new offering for the segment.

Honda Vision XS-1 concept (for representation only)

According to media reports, Honda is planning to unveil a new subcompact SUV for its international markets during the middle of the next year. This new global product could also make its way to India later. If launched, the car will compete against the like of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV300, and the upcoming Nissan Magnite and Kia Sonet. Of course, to prevent sales cannibalisation, the WR-V will have to be discontinued.

Honda Jazz BSVI will be launched in India soon

Honda WR-V has enjoyed decent popularity in the Indian market. It was more successful than the Honda Jazz, owing to its SUV-ish styling and high ground clearance. Premium features like sunroof and cruise control helped matters further. The company is also set to unveil the car’s BS6 avatar soon. It will feature the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines as before. The former is capable of generating 90 PS of max power and 110 Nm of peak torque, while the latter pushes out 100 PS and 200 Nm. The diesel mill will come paired to a 6-speed manual, and the petrol motor to a 5-speed manual.

Previously, Honda HR-V was spied at the Japanese carmaker’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan. The SUV could be planned for India, or it might have been brought here for component testing for a new project. Whatever the case, we can safely assume that there is at least one new SUV in development for India, probably to rival Kia Seltos and Hyundai Venue. Thus, there’s a chance that we can see two new SUVs from Honda in the next two years.