Honda to begin selling new Vezel compact SUV in Japan

December 19, 2013: Honda Motor Co will begin sales in Japan of the Vezel, the all-new compact SUV revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this year.

The Vezel brings together the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupe and the functionality of a minivan which combined, the company says, will deliver excellent fuel economy. A 4WD option will be available for both hybrid and petrol variants.

On the inside there is a high-quality feel with coupe-like personal space for the front seats and, thanks to the original centre-tank layout, this model benefits from the brand’s ‘magic seats’, as well as a large cargo space. In fact, the cargo space can hold three regular golf bags while using the rear seats, thanks to its 453-litre capacity.

The hybrid variant will be equipped with SPORT HYBRID i-DCD, Honda’s next-generation Hybrid System that combines a 1.5-litre direct injection engine with a high-output motor to deliver high power equivalent to that of the 2.0-litre engine. In terms of environmental performance, it’s expected to have the highest fuel economy in its class in Japan. Moreover, the Vezel hybrid variant will be the first among all Honda hybrid models to be equipped with Honda’s original Real Time All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), which controls torque distribution to the front and rear wheels more precisely through electronic control.

In addition, for smart operation, all Vezel variants feature advanced technologies and functions normally associated with high-end models, such as an Electric Parking Brake and Automatic Brake Hold, as standard equipment. Furthermore, high-performance soundproofing materials and dampers, which are typically used for high-end saloons, are adopted to achieve outstanding quietness and driving stability.

This model is due to be launched in Europe in 2015. The Vezel, originally planned to be introduced in India in 2015, is unlikely to make it here due to the weak rupee. Honda says bringing the Vezel to the Indian market would work out to be too expensive, and considering the fate of too highly priced models like the last-generation Jazz, the carmaker will be loathe to repeat the same mistake.