Honda working on new 7-seater SUV for India

Honda is making a new 7-seater SUV that will be built on its brand-new platform called ‘PF2’. This platform is special because it can support different types of engines, including petrol and electric ones. Earlier, people thought this SUV would just be a bigger version of the Elevate, but it looks like that’s not the case anymore.

Honda is working hard to improve its presence in the domestic market, where it has faced challenges. Sales of its popular Honda City sedan have dropped, and even the Elevate SUV has seen a decline in sales recently. However, the Elevate has become very popular in Japan, where it is sold as the WR-V. In the first quarter of this calendar year, 10,659 made-in-India WR-Vs were exported to Japan, nearly double the Elevate’s domestic sales figure. This has made Honda one of the top car exporters in India.

The new PF2 platform will be used for many future Honda models, including sedans, SUVs, hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). Honda aims to start production of the new 7-seater SUV in October 2027, and it will be designed with input from both Japan and India.

Under the hood, it is expected that the new SUV will use the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine found in the Elevate, and there may also be a strong hybrid version available. This move shows Honda’s commitment to offering different types of vehicles to meet customer needs.

In addition to the new SUV, Honda plans to launch a new version of the City sedan in 2028, as well as an EV by 2029. The company’s strategy is to make India a base for producing and exporting cars, helping it regain a stronger position in the market.

Considering the emission norms, Honda is betting on a mix of petrol, hybrid and electric power for its future vehicles, and the new PF2 platform will help it achieve this goal. 

Also, read Renault’s 2025 India strategy with Duster, Bigster SUVs