Launched: India Bound Honda Vezel Goes on Sale in Japan: Features, Prices & Pics

Exactly a month after its announcement at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda’s next masterstroke under the name ‘Vezel’ goes on sale in Japan. Honda has claimed that the Vezel is a fusion of various identities; it combines the strength of an SUV with the elegance of a coupe and the practicality of a minivan. Above all, it does care about its impact on the environment by ensuring excellent fuel economy. Let’s take a dive down into the world of Vezel!

Why? Because it is coming to India 🙂

BUILD and SCULPTING

The Vezel has a toned-down look as compared to the concept design which it is based upon. The concept vehicle was unveiled about a year back, and it had generated shock and awe with its radical design features. It was also rumoured that the production vehicle would be named the “CR-U” ; however Honda handed us a surprise with a somewhat different name and mellowed down looks. Features reminiscent of the concept vehicle are the tail-lamp design and the petal shaped wheels.  Nonetheless, what the production spec car is, it just doesn’t look anything short of being called as ‘gorgeous’!

As stated by Honda, the build of the Vezel melds the various identities of the vehicle together. It is brawny, no doubt about that. However, it also carries off a sophistication and elegance that is hard to find in unkempt giants. The headlamp design, bodyline creases and the gentle curve of the roofline help to provide an image of superiorty over others in the design department.

INTERIORS and EQUIPMENTS

The interiors take the sophistication a notch higher. Effort has been taken to ensure a high-quality feeling through the use of well-crafted materials and finishing. Honda also suggests that the Vezel is surprisingly roomier than what people would discern from the exterior view. This has been achieved by the use of a plan which Honda likes to call “Center-tank Layout”. This design has ensured better cargo space, and greater spaciousness in the rear seats. Honda has mentioned that the boot space is a generous 404 Litres.

Vezel has been equipped with the right amount of gadgets to make life easier inside the cabin. One such inclusion is that of a front LED lamp to be used for reading maps and other necessary documents. The instrument panel is neat to look at, and provides the readouts in a crisp and legible manner. An intelligent addition is the multi-utility drink holder that can vary its depth depending on the length of the drink container. All variants of the Vezel include a full automatic air-conditioner which is claimed to provide a wide air flow. However, Indian car is expected to feature manual AC options as well.

POWERTRAIN and MECHANICALS

However, it’s the mechanicals and powertrains where the Honda Vezel begins to unleash the true jewels in its hat. The Vezel will be sold in Japan as two modes; a Hybrid model and another conventional model. The Vezel Hybrid will feature a SPORT HYBRID i-DCD engine; a combination of a 1.5 L Direct Injection engine along with a high output motor. Honda says this results in performance that is comparable to that of a 2.0 Litre engine. However, this doesn’t mean the engine is a gas-guzzler. The Hybrid engine goes on to deliver a fuel-efficiency of 27.0 kmpl in the JC08 driving mode. The Hybrid engine has a combined power output of 152 PS.

Sadly, the Hybrid version isn’t expected to come to India, thanks to the myopic sights of our policymakers that results in high import duties for hybrid vehicles. We will get the conventional Vezel with the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol motor. The 1.5L I-DTEC diesel motor will also be provided as an option, given the polarization of our market towards diesel. What we expect from Honda is to up its power and torque figures and possibly launch it with a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) unlike what they did with Amaze.

Nevertheless, the Vezel boasts of high-end technologies (as standard equipment) which are normally found on pricier cars. Here’s a short list :

1. Electric Parking Brake
2. Automatic Brake Hold
3. High-performance soundproofing materials and dampers
4. Reactive Force Pedal on the Hybrid model; claimed to improve fuel-efficiency
5. Inner frame structure made of high tensile sheet steel

COLORS, VARIANTS and PRICES

Three variants exist, as of now.

1. Vezel Hybrid X with L-Package
2. Vezel Hybrid X and Vezel Hybrid Z
3. Vezel G, Vezel X, Vezel S

Based on what we notice, both the Hybrid Z and Hybrid X versions are equipped with the HYBRID engine. Little variations exist in the form of different alloy wheels and varying quality of the use of interior materials. The top-of-the-line model is a Hybrid Version X with an optional package called a L-Package. The Vezel G, S and X, on the other hand, are the regular gasoline powered models.

The Vezel will come in a choice of eight different colors. Here’s a list to give you a basic idea of the palette :

• White Orchid Pearl
• Tinted Silver Metallic
• Lou Security Black Metallic
• Crystal Black Pearl
• Morpho Blue Pearl
• Premium Deep Rosso Pearl
• Misty Green Pearl
• Alabaster Silver Metallic

We love the white and blue with black standing out as always 😉

Honda Vezel PRICE:

Currently, we can only give an indication of the prices of the Honda Vezel. The prices aren’t supposed to be exactly similar when the Vezel comes to India, because a simple conversion isn’t what the manufacturers use. Based on the above snap, we can see that the base Vezel G 2WD starts at 1,870,000 yen which equates to something around 11 Lakh INR.  And the top of the line Hybrid X with L-Package will cost 2,680,000 yen, something around 16 lakhs INR.

According to what we can read, Vezel will come at a slightly higher price bracket than Duster, possibly at a starting price range of something around 9-10 Lakhs and the top of the line diesel variant touching Rs 16 odd lakhs.

Like all compact SUV potential buyers, Vezel will make a meaningful choice for those who are looking for more muscle and road presence as compared to a mid-size sedan or a high-end hatch.

We are won over even before Honda’s show has started. Are you?

Also Read: List of all Upcoming Honda Cars in India

Honda Vezel Picture Gallery