New SUV could be called the Honda Elevate and will go on sale later this year, first in India and then other markets.
02 May 2023 | 7765 Views | By Akbar Merchant, Autocar India
Honda India is all set to take the wraps off its made-for-India midsize SUV (code: 3US) on June 6, 2023, at a global reveal in New Delhi. This grounds-up new SUV could be called the Honda Elevate and will go on sale later this year, first in India and then ...
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Honda India is all set to take the wraps off its made-for-India midsize SUV (code: 3US) on June 6, 2023, at a global reveal in New Delhi. This grounds-up new SUV could be called the Honda Elevate and will go on sale later this year, first in India and then other markets.
New Honda SUV: what could it look like?
Chunky cladding, muscular wheel arches and lots of chrome can be expected, whilst special attention has been paid to the lights, which are sharply styled upfront with LED headlamps for the top variants. At the rear, the tail-lights look similar to the newer Honda products like the latest-gen new-gen WR-V on sale in Indonesia.
This SUV seems to be Honda’s most serious attempt at entering the ever-growing Indian midsize SUV market that has stalwarts like the Creta, Seltos, and newer contenders like the Grand Vitara, Hyryder, the Taigun and the Kushaq. Honda plans to build as many as 8,000 units of this SUV a month in India with a large chunk going for exports.
New Honda SUV dimensions, platform, powertrain, features
Honda’s new SUV will measure between 4.2-4.3 metres and will have a segment-rivalling wheelbase as well as interior space. Sources tell us that this upcoming SUV shares its platform and engines with the fifth-generation City.
The SUV will be powered by Honda’s new twin cam 1.5 petrol engine, which also sees duty on the City sedan. The 1.5-litre petrol is, however, most likely to be the only engine on offer at launch; a strong-hybrid line-up will arrive a little later. Gearbox options are likely to be similar to what’s already offered on the City – a 6-speed manual and a CVT for the 1.5-petrol. There will be no diesel.
New Honda SUV: India launch details
While the new Honda SUV will make its global debut in India on June 6, 2023, it will go on sale only in August 2023. It is likely to be priced at a slight premium over its rivals, somewhere in the Rs 12 lakh-19 lakh price range.
Expect more details to trickle in closer to the SUV's unveiling.