Honda Urban SUV Concept Teaser – Global Debut Detroit Auto Show


The Honda Compact “URBAN SUV CONCEPT” is to make its World Debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on 14 January 2013.  All we have so far is the Urban SUV Concept sketch (above) of a new global model based on the Honda Jazz platform that combines a sporty SUV profile with a spacious interior utilising Honda’s centre-tank layout, creating a highly functional design.

When the word “Urban” is used in the description of an automobile it usually means three things; 1) Small 2) Slow 3) Crazy fuel efficient. There is no doubt that Honda can create a slow, small, fuel efficient SUV.

Honda has a problem. It used to be the company that made small, exciting to drive, fuel efficient, high quality vehicles. Now it makes high quality vehicles. When Honda wasn’t looking Mazda stole the Zoom Zoom machine from the shop at Honda

Details are very limited, but Honda did mention it is a “global concept model combining a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious, functional interior.”

This would be an ideal recipient of Honda’s brilliant new 1.6 i-DTEC engine, possibly forcing Nissan to fit the Renault 1.6 dCi 130 to the Juke. And people at Honda are already naming it “the new HR-V” after Honda’s sorely missed, ultra reliable mini SUV of ten years ago.

It will arrive at a time when Ford is launching its South American built EcoSport mini SUV as a global model, while Peugeot/Citroen hopes to get a mini SUV onto the market in Summer 2013.