It seems that the success of the Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport has finally caught the attention of the bigwigs at Honda Cars India as they seem to be contemplating launching an SUV to compete with these high sellers.
A report on economictimes.indiatimes.com has quoted Jnaneswar Sen, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, Honda Cars India, to have said that ‘the company is studying it as SUV is a potential and growing segment.’ Earlier, on more than one occasion, Honda has vehemently denied getting the Vezel crossover to India.
Though the Vezel might still not make it here, chances are that the same vehicle in different clothes, known as the XR-V, might just be the compact offering that Honda is thinking of getting to India. It was first showcased in last year’s Tokyo Motor Show while it was officially unveiled recently during the Chengdu Motor Show in China. There it will be offered with 1.5- and 1.8-litre petrol engines while we all know that only a diesel would do in this segment in India; of course, Honda City’s petrol engine has to be an option too, but it is the diesel that will sell the most.
At 4,275 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width and 1,605 in height, the Honda is shorter (both in height and length) and narrower than the Duster, which is 4,315 mm long, 1,822 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall (without roof rails). However, Honda’s better interiors and clever interior packaging (hopefully) in addition to the badge might swing the scales in the Jap’s favour.
Related: New Yeti vs Duster vs XUV500 vs Koleos: Specs & Price Comparo
Vezel looks awesome ….waiting anxiously for same.
Wish the height was a bit more.
Any fixed date for India launch?
Can really plan to wait.