Honda Creta competition – Expected soon

Honda after the launch of the next-gen City will be considering to bring a new mid-sized SUV. Looking at the ongoing demand of the B-SUVs in India, Honda will try to make an SUV within the price range of Creta. It has been suggested that Honda will bring a 7-seater as well as a 5-seater version of the SUV. Let’s see what can we expect from this Honda Creta competition.

Honda’s Quote

Recently, Gaku Nakanishi, Honda Cars India said that they have enough portfolio in the sedan range but are very keen to make SUVs. Further, he also added that they will fulfil the missing product in their SUV lineup which currently includes WR-V (sub-four meter), BR-V (7-seater MPV), and CR-V (full-sized premium SUV). It clearly indicated that the next SUV will be a Honda Creta rival.

Honda Creta competition Platform

Honda already has a mid-sized SUV in the international markets – the Vezel (HR-V). However, while considering the Indian market, it will be quite sophisticated and expensive. So it is more possibility that the Honda Creta competition will be based on the current platforms or a completely new platform.

But producing a new platform will increase the cost so we are expecting the upcoming SUV to be based on the current platform. Also, this segment has been the most competitive segment in India. Most of the new launches in 2019 have been SUVs and we have seen 2 new car makers entre this segment – MG Hector and Kia Seltos.

Honda Creta 7-seater Version

Currently, Honda is busy in transforming its lineup into BS6 updates and also giving them mild to midlife facelifts. Honda BR-V will be undergoing a facelift, the possibility is that Honda will try to replace it with the 7-seater version of the new Honda Creta competition. In that way, they can make 5-seater as well as 7-seater SUV on the same platform.

Honda Creta Competition Powertrain

If that happens we might expect the same engine options as well. Currently, BR-V is available with 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol version produces around 117 bhp and 145 Nm of peak torque. While 1.5-litre diesel produces around 100 bhp and 200 Nm of peak torque. These engines are mated with a 6-speed manual and optional CVT for the petrol variant. We expect that the Honda Creta competition will have a turbo-diesel engine as well.

Features

The SUV is expected with upmarket and segment trending features such as panoramic sunroof, touch-screen infotainment, paddle shifters, cruise control, etc. It will have a similar level of safety as the rivals, offering multiple airbags, parking sensors, child ISOFIX. Also, a lot of premium quality stuff is expected from this vehicle. This might be a mini Honda CR-V.

This car might also feature assistive parking feature.

Also read: 2020 Skoda Karoq, what it holds for the Indian market?

Price and Rivals

Honda will be applying some of the new strategies. So we could expect the pricing similar to the Creta, at Rs 10 lakhs to 18 lakhs (ex-showroom). It will be competing against other mid-sized SUV in the market such as Kia Seltos, MG Hector, Tata Harrier and of course Hyundai Creta.