Honda Brio-based compact SUV: What to expect?

Buoyed by the response to the Amaze and City, Honda Cars India seems confident of doing well with the upcoming Mobilio and new-gen Jazz as well. After launching these two products in India this year, the company's next product will be a sub-compact SUV. So, while with the Mobilio and Jazz, the company will be targeting the MPV and premium hatchback segments, respectively, the sub-compact SUV will take on the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. (Also read: Honda Mobilio to be India's most fuel efficient MPV)

Honda's sub-compact SUV will be built upon the Brio platform, on which the Amaze too is built. Not just the platform, the sub-compact SUV might share most components and parts as well with the Brio and Amaze. However, the company will have to extensively modify the Brio platform, as this platform wasn't essentially developed for an SUV. (Read: Upcoming compact SUVs below Rs 10 lakh)

There are also reports saying that Honda's sub-compact SUV might cross the 4 metre length mark, which if happens, will make it tough for Honda to price the vehicle competitively. Also, the above 4-metre length of the Brio-based SUV will make it more spacious than the Ford EcoSport.

The company might fit the same 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine in the sub-compact SUV, which also powers the Amaze and City.