At its latest global financial results press conference, Honda has officially announced a new compact SUV for India that could arrive in 2028. This will mark Honda’s return to the sub-4m SUV category since the discontinuation of the WR-V in March 2023. This also corroborates our previous report where the company had hinted to Autocar India that a new compact SUV was in the works for our market.
- New sub-4m SUV will be specced to match Indian needs, preferences, says Honda
- Will be Honda’s second sub-4m product in current lineup after Amaze
- Will be positioned to rival the likes of Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO
New Honda Compact SUV: what to expect?
Honda hasn’t shared any specific details about the product itself, but says it will be developed with Indian needs and preferences in mind. By Honda’s own admission, “The global standard approach may have been somewhat excessive [for India].”
Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer at Honda, said,” We will develop specifications that fully match the market conditions and customer needs in India.” He added the upcoming models will “pursue an optimal balance of performance and price”.
It remains to be seen if the upcoming model is offered with ICE or electric powertrains, or both, with the Amaze’s 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine being one of likely options.
Honda’s need for a new compact model
Honda is no stranger to the compact vehicle category in India, having previously offered the Brio and Jazz hatchbacks and the WR-V SUV. However, with these products phased out, Honda currently only has the Amaze in the sub-4m category.
“Honda currently has presence only in limited product segments and has not been able to fully expand sales due to insufficient number of competitive models in each segment,” admitted Mibe.
With the revised GST structure bringing interest back to compact models, an entry into this segment can give Honda the much-needed volume play and momentum to regain its lost market share.
10 new Hondas incoming by 2030
Alongside the new compact SUV, Honda has also announced a new vehicle in the midsize category, which will likely be the 0 Alpha electric SUV that’s expected to arrive here by 2027-28. Both these models are part of Honda’s larger plan of launching 10 new models in India by 2030, seven of which will be SUVs. In the short term, Honda is gearing up for the launch of the City facelift next week, pictures of which has already leaked online.