What To Expect From Honda's Upcoming New Midsize SUV

• Honda Cars India recently launched the 2023 City facelift with ADAS
• The Japanese carmaker has confirmed the India launch of its new midsize SUV by mid-2023
• The new midsize SUV from Honda is expected to get several features like ADAS, a hybrid powertrain, etc

Honda Cars India recently launched the 2023 City in India. On the sidelines of the 2023 City launch, the Japanese automaker confirmed that it will be launching a new midsize SUV in India by the mid of 2023. This means the new Honda SUV could go on sale in India between July and September. It will likely rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, etc. As Honda is set to enter the Indian midsize SUV segment after so long, it would be interesting to see what this Japanese automaker brings to the segment. Therefore, here are the top 3 things to expect from the upcoming midsize Honda SUV.

Honda New Midsize SUV To Get Hybrid Powertrain

Just like in the case of City, Honda is expected to offer the new midsize SUV in two powertrain options i.e. a 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol engine with a manual or CVT transmission and a 1.5L Atkinson cycle with e:HEV strong hybrid tech. The power and torque figures for the petrol powertrain are expected to be 121 bhp & 145 Nm respectively. Whereas, for the strong hybrid powertrain, the combined power & torque figures are expected to be 109 bhp & 253 Nm respectively. Just like the Honda City eHEV hybrid, the hybrid variant of this Honda SUV is also expected to deliver superior fuel efficiency figures of 24 km/l to 27 km/l. Moreover, Honda may use a slightly higher capacity battery in the Hybrid variant of this midsize SUV.

Honda New Midsize SUV To Get ADAS

The Honda City eHEV hybrid became the first Honda car in India to get ADAS features. Now Honda has also added this tech in the 2023 facelifted City. The upcoming midsize Honda SUV is also expected to be equipped with the Honda Sensing ADAS tech. However, unlike the 2023 City & City eHEV hybrid's camera-based ADAS tech, this new SUV is expected to come with a radar + camera-based ADAS tech. The latest spy images of this SUV being tested on the roads have confirmed the presence of radar in the front.

It will get features like auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, auto high beam, lane departure warning, etc. Also, Honda may equip this SUV with a few more ADAS features like rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot detection/warning, etc.

On the safety front, Honda is also expected to offer features like 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, traction control, hill hold, electronic parking brake with auto hold, 360-degree camera, Hondas lane watch camera system, etc in this upcoming midsize SUV.

Honda New Midsize SUV To Get Honda's Global SUV Design Language

According to reports the design of the new midsize Honda SUV will be based on Honda's global SUV design language. It could be inspired by the global-spec version of the new WR-V and HR-V. The new SUV is expected to get an all-around LED treatment in headlamps, fog lamps, taillamps, indicators, etc. Also, in the rear, it may get an LED strip design running across its width & connecting the rear taillamps, giving it a modern look.

Also Read: 2023 Honda City Is Here, Should You Wait For The 2023 Hyundai Verna?

Verdict: The new midsize SUV from Honda will give tough competition to the likes of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, etc. When launched, it would be the only vehicle in the segment that will offer both a strong hybrid powertrain and ADAS tech. This will make it a unique option in India's midsize SUV segment.