Honda Mobilio – First drive review

The Indian MPV market is very lucrative. However, the large people carriers are hardly stylish and concentrate more on space, comfort and performance. The Indian MPV ruler, Toyota Innova is perhaps the only elegant looking MPV in the market, but is too expensive. All this is set to change soon, as the Japanese car major Honda is all prepared to launch its first MPV in India, in the form of the Mobilio. Set to launch on the 23^rd of July 2014, the new Honda Mobilio MPV is expected to be a new game changer for the company with attractive visual appeal, powerful performance and a spacious cabin.

Exterior Design

The Honda Mobilio looks simply great. Based on the Brio, the Mobilio has a similar face with its hatchback cousin. However, the Mobilio has a much more aggressive face that goes with its huge size. The vehicle’s sides and rear look more alluring with sharp design lines and bold cuts and creases that complete the vehicle’s overall sporty look.

Interior design and conveniences

On the inside, the new Honda Mobilio loses some of its all new design charm, as the vehicle shares a lot with its cousins Brio and Amaze. Many interior features, such as the dashboard and seats are directly borrowed from the Brio or Amaze and the cabin which is surely very practical does not actually go with the snazzy exterior beauty of the vehicle.

However, the Honda Mobilio offers excellent and smart space for all the occupants and their luggage. The slim but comfortable seats make for abundant of interior space inside the cabin. The 2652mm wheelbase also allowed for the great spacious rear room. Honda’s clever space enhancement techniques also make the second row seats to tumble down at the lever push for easy access to the third row. While first two rows great head and legroom, while the third row offers less knee room. In short the Mobilio offers superb space compared to most its market rivals.

The Mobilio also offers a power A.C unit that cools the entire cabin wonderfully. Its 223-litre boot space expands to 520 liters when the third row seats are folded flat. The Mobilio includes great features of screen audio video navigation system and reverse parking camera.

Engines & Performance

Mobilio borrows the petrol and diesel engines from the new Honda City. The superb 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol mill drives the MPV smoothly. While the power figures of 117bhp and 145Nm remain the same, the gear ratios are increased for better performance. It offers the top speed of 140kmph.

The Mobilio diesel’s 1.5 liter i-DTEC diesel gets enhanced sound insulation for a quieter cabin. The generated 100PS of power and 200Nm of torque efficiently move around the seven-seater MPV and its rapid turbo responsiveness makes it a Maruti Ertiga killer.

Conclusion

The Honda Mobilio is simply a great MPV and is expected to be a superb consecutive third hit From Honda India. Honda will announce the Mobilio prices at its launch in this month.

Honda Mobilio – First drive review , 8.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating