Honda is developing a budget SUV for the Indian market, Autocar India reports. The magazine says that the HR-V, Honda’s compact SUV that has hit the ground running in Asean, is too costly to produce in India, hence the specially-developed model.
The report claims that Honda Cars India recently took top dealers to R&D facilities in Japan, and showed them, for the first time, the “compact SUV” – a seven-seater that will rival the likes of the Renault Duster and Mahindra XUV500 in India.
It is said that the SUV will share underpinnings with the Honda Mobilio and that the front section that shares bits with the MPV, but with traditional SUV cues like bigger wheels, rugged body cladding and skid plates at both ends. Apparently, Honda received criticism in India for the basic interiors of the Mobilio, Amaze sedan and Brio hatchback; so the upcoming SUV is set to get an all-new, higher-quality cabin.
No news on the drivetrain, but it’s speculated that the Mobilio’s 1.5 litre petrol and diesel engines will be used. A world debut at next year’s 2016 Delhi Auto Expo is mooted.
An SUV body riding on a budget MPV platform is not a brand new idea. The Toyota Rush sold here uses the same formula – unlike the compact JDM Toyota Rush, which is essentially the second-gen Daihatsu Terios a.k.a. Perodua Nautica, the Indonesian-made Rush (recently facelifted) has seven seats and is based on the Avanza people carrier.
The Honda Mobilio MPV is built and sold in Indonesia and Thailand, so there’s some chance that we will see this “Mobilio SUV” in Asean as well. Is there a market? What do you think?
Honda Mobilio RS launched in Indonesia
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It is a budget MPV the exterior is okay but the interior based on brio is a bit let down seriously.
Is just a Honda Avanza..
This is freaking UGLY…….!!!
I would not use the word ugly like you.
It is rather a difference in terms of personal taste.
This is freaking UGLY….!!!
As long it is not Kim chi, it will sell
the front exterior doesn’t suit the size, fail
it is ugly and overpriced with bad finishing.
India’s Rakyat also dont want.
dun worry. india rakyat dun wan, we stupidly wan. as long as price is affordable and got the H badge.
I’d rather they bring in Jade instead. It’s pricier, but at least it looks way better and has way higher quality than Mobilio. Not to mention Jade pricing shall not clash with other Honda cars as well, as it can be priced higher, like the Stream. Mobilio’s pricing will be within the ballpark of City’s, HR-V’s and Civic’s. it’s not a good thing for Honda Malaysia.
Saw the car several times in Kuching city with Kalimantan Barat plate number.. quite close to the Avanza shape but a bit lower in height? from far can see the car is totally not an avanza. Lol
Avanza/Rush uses ladder frame chassis while the Mobilio is a monocoque design. In terms of comfort and handling, monocoque will be better than ladder frame. The ladder frame is tougher though and can take quite some punishments, which is why ladder-framed Avanza and Innova so popular in Indonesia where road conditions are worse than Malaysia.