Honda’s recently unveiled seven-seat, Brio-based Honda Mobilio MPV could be the next big thing in the compact MPV segment in India. Unveiled in Indonesia, one of the largest markets for cars like these, the Mobilio uses a longer wheelbase to give it more space. The Maruti Ertiga, which is the current king of the segment here, came in last year and created quite a stir. Based on the Maruti Swift, it’s able to carry seven passengers, but it is also compact, affordable and easy to drive. And Honda wants a piece of the pie with the new Mobilio.
Honda has made sure its seven-seater looks different from the Brio hatchback and the Amaze saloon. The front does resemble the Brio, as the basic proportions are similar, but a wider grille and a sportier new chin give the nose a new look.
Honda has also used many visual tricks to help mask the car’s length and van-like proportions. There’s a kink in the window line, two upward moving cuts along the side of the body, massively flared wheel-arches and even a ‘floating’ design for the rear pillar of the car, the latter achieved using part sheet metal and part blacked-out glass. Big wheels hide the back of the body and complete the picture. The Honda Mobilio MPV looks best from the rear though – the wraparound look of the rear windscreen, the flared haunches, the big tail-lights and the attractive split at the bottom looking just stunning.