Our sources have revealed that Honda India is gearing up to launch the City facelift and the ZR-V SUV on May 22, 2026. We earlier reported on the planned launches of these Honda models last year, with the ZR-V arriving as a brand-new nameplate for the Japanese carmaker’s India arm. In fact, the ZR-V will mark the onset of a new wave of premium halo models from Honda, signalling a heightened seriousness for the Indian market to drive the carmaker's growth.
- ZR-V price in India expected to be around Rs 40 lakh-50 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Honda's new flagship SUV is likely to get a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain
- 2026 City facelift will bring minor styling changes, more features
- Same 1.5-litre petrol and hybrid powertrains to be retained for the City facelift
India-spec Honda ZR-V: What to expect
The ZR-V will launch in India as a full CBU import, serving as Honda’s flagship SUV and a brand-builder in the market. At an expected price point of Rs 40 lakh-50 lakh (ex-showroom), the ZR-V will rival premium 5-seat SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq Lounge. Unlike the Honda Elevate, which has a rather upright and squared-off design, the ZR-V dons rounded crossover proportions.
Global-spec ZR-V models measure around 4,568mm in length, 1,840mm in width, 1,620mm in height, and 2,657mm in wheelbase; expect the India-spec model to measure roughly the same. As for features, it comes equipped with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen, a powered driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, an ADAS suite, a powered tailgate, a wireless charging pad, and more. The India-spec Honda ZR-V is anticipated to offer a 180hp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain, paired with an e-CVT automatic.
2026 Honda City facelift: What to expect
This will be the second facelift of the fifth-gen Honda City; the first one launched in 2023. On the outside, expect the 2026 City facelift to sport subtle changes to the soft parts, like the headlights, tail-lamps, bumpers, wheels, etc. There will be a greater emphasis on the inside, particularly in terms of features, as the City has fallen behind its rivals – the Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia – in this regard.
To that end, the 2026 City facelift could bring goodies like a powered driver's seat, ventilated front seats, a larger infotainment touchscreen running updated software, a digital driver’s display, an optional 360-degree camera, and more. Under the bonnet, the new City facelift is expected to retain the same 121hp 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and 126hp hybrid powertrains, along with their respective manual and CVT gearbox options.
Suraj Viswanathan
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
Uday Singh
