All-new Honda BR-V 7 seat SUV: This is IT!

Honda has unveiled its new  7-seater SUV based on the N7X Concept. It is called the BR-V.  The new SUV will first go on sale in Indonesia and then in other markets. As of now, Honda does not have any SUVs in the Indian market, except the WR-V which looks more like a crossover. They have discontinued the CR-V and the BR-V and we are not expecting them to bring the 2022 BR-V to the Indian market.

The production-spec BR-V looks very similar to the N7X Concept which is a good thing. The design is very minimalistic. Up-front it gets sleek LED headlamps, a faux skid plate, a huge square blacked-out grille with a chrome strip that integrates with the LED Daytime Running Lamp.

Also read: Almost new MG Hector Plus SUVs for sale

The side profile has very simplistic body lines, new 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and a shark-fin antenna. At the rear, there are sleek tail lamps that are similar to the ones on the Honda City mid-size sedan. The tailgate looks quite huge and there is a rear wiper with a washer also. It has a ground clearance of 220 mm which is more than enough.

Coming to the interior, the dashboard is different from the City. It gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a push button to start/stop the engine, automatic climate control, remote starter on the key fob, keyless entry and a 4.2-inch TFT screen for the multi-information display in the instrument cluster. Honda is also offering Adaptive Cruise Control, LaneWatch camera, auto-lock on walk away, Lane Keep Assist System, multi-function steering wheel, Road Departure Mitigation and power outlet for the third row.

The engine is a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. It is the same one that we have experienced on the Honda City. The four-cylinder engine puts out 121 bhp of max power and 145 Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic transmission.

New SUV for India in development

The 2022 BR-V might not make it to India but Honda has already confirmed that they are working on a new mid-size SUV for the Indian market. It will be borrowing the platform from Honda City and is expected to launch around September 2023.

The new SUV will measure 4.3-metres in length and will go against the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, upcoming MG Astor and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun. Because of its pricing, some of the higher variants of the SUV will also compete against the MG Hector and Tata Harrier. Honda will also be doing a 7-seater version of the SUV. So, it will also go against the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar and the MG Hector Plus.

Honda is calling the new SUV “31XA” internally. The Japanese manufacturer has already registered the name “Elevate” which could be used for the upcoming SUV. We might see some of the design elements of the 2022 BR-V in the upcoming SUV. It will use the same powertrain as the Honda City. So, it will be offered with a petrol engine and a diesel engine.

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