Honda Vezel – An Urban SUV Suitable for Indian Market Honda Motor Company Limited is a Japanese multinational engaged in the production of automobiles. In 1995, they formed a joint venture with Usha International and started producing vehicles in India. In 2012, a new company- the Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) wascreated by HMCL after acquiring all the shares from the Usha International. Many Honda cars have come out from the Noida factory like the much-appreciated Honda City, Jazz, Accord and the Amaze.

The demand for SUVs in the Indian automobile market is steadily increasing and the HCIL does not want to be left behind. They are looking forward to launch their SUV, Vezel, by the end of 2014 or in the beginning of 2015. This car, already launched in Japan in 2013, is doing well there. The Honda officials claim that Vezel has the qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupé and the multi-functionality of an MPV.The new SUV will be on the Jazz’s platform and will be highly advanced and modern. The front will feature the famous ‘H design’ with a low roofline. The side profile will be elegant like that of the CR-V and will have hidden handles for the rear doors. The sloping roofline to the boot door and the soft wheel arches add beauty to the car. The rear will have a boot cover with curvy aerodynamic lines and horizontally clustered tail lamps extending up to the door. A rear spoiler will be added for the upper variants.The interior of the Vezel will be in beige and black theme, spacious with adjustable broad seats having fabric seat covers and a boot space of around 404 litres. The dashboard is expected to be on the similar lines of the Jazz. Comfort levels will be high with an automatic AC and an infotainment system with touch screen controls, steering mounted audio controls, a push button start, power windows and a keyless entry.

The Honda products will have top class safety features and the Vezel will not be an exception. The Vezel will come with ABS and EMD, airbags, child lock facility, an advanced cruise control and an engine immobilizer among others.

Honda is expected to launch both the diesel and the petrol versions of Vezel in India. Petrol variants will have a 1500 cc, 116 bhp, 146 NM torque SOHC i-VTEC engine with manual/auto transmission options and the diesel ones a 1500 cc, 98.6 bhp, 200 Nm torque i-DETEC engine with manual transmission.The pricing of the Vezel is expected to be between Rupees 7 lakh and 11 lakhs . This SUV will have to face stiff competition from the likes of the Renault Duster, the Ford EcoSport and the Nissan Terrano.