Scoop - Honda To Launch A Creta, Seltos Rival In Aug - Sep 2023 | V3Cars

30 April 2023
By Mahesh Yadav
0

We recently learned from a source that Honda are preparing to launch a new C-segment SUV to rival the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos just ahead of the festive season in 2023. While Honda have discontinued the WRV, Jazz and the City 4th gen, the new SUV add to the options for car buyers. Currently, Honda only sell 2 sedans in India — the Amaze and the City 5th generation. This is disadvantageous for Honda, considering that the trend is favouring SUVs as they bring in bigger profit margins because of higher demand. With the start of the new financial year, Honda also removed the diesel engine options from their portfolio.

Also Read: Honda City 4th-Gen Discontinued - 3 Things To Know

Honda WRV Discontinued - 5 Reasons Why It Failed

Honda Jazz Discontinued - 3 Cool Magic Seats Features

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A Change Of Opinion

When Honda teased a sketch of an SUV for India, it looked like something that could rival the Creta in terms of size. However, early sketches are always misleading and present the vehicle in a more grandiose manner. Thus, by the time the car enters production, the actual product ends up being a size smaller. The Renault Kwid and Maruti S-Presso are prime examples of this phenomenon. Their concept designs and sketches were much bigger than the actual car.

Therefore, it’s usually in our best interest to assume that the actual car could end up being a size smaller than what the concepts or sketches might have us believe. With that in mind, we were expecting Honda to launch a smaller, sub-4m SUV to rival the Tata Nexon and Maruti Brezza, among other B2-segment SUVs.

However, the latest development in the information we received from a fairly reliable source suggests that they are, in fact, bringing a bigger SUV to challenge the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Nexa Grand Vitara.

Kwid

Honda SUV Expected Dimensions, Engine Specs

We believe that the new SUV from Honda could share its platform with the City 5th gen. So, it may offer a larger size, and thus, stronger road presence than the current rivals. The City also went with this approach and forced other carmakers to follow the lead. Now, all C-segment sedans, except the much older Maruti Nexa Ciaz, measure more than 4500mm.

In terms of engines, we expect Honda to offer the same 1.5L normal petrol engine that powers the City. Additionally, the City’s hybrid powertrain could also help them differentiate their SUV offering from the new Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, Taigun and Astor, which instead took the performance route and offer a more powerful powertrain as an option.

The powertrain and platform sharing with the City will also help Honda achieve economies of scale and thus improve their margins on the City as well as the new SUV.

Honda SUV Top Features

Besides the usual set of features that are available in SUVs of this class, Honda may make ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) their USP. Currently, the City is the most affordable car in the country that offers ADAS features. It even offers adaptive cruise control with the manual transmission in the affordable V variant. Besides the size, Honda’s mission to democratise ADAS features give them an upper hand if they manage to price the SUV sensibly.

Also Read: Honda City Petrol, Hybrid Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

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