Honda Vezel: new baby SUV has high hopes

Honda has joined the baby SUV market with this — the all-new Vezel. Unveiled overnight at the Tokyo Motor show, Honda has high hopes for the micro-SUV with company execs predicting it could rival the CR-Z in terms of sales.

“We think there’s massive growth potential in the small SUV market,” Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins toldWheels. “In fact, we think it could even rival the medium segment, which is the best seller at the moment.”

Collins revealed Honda Australia has already put its hand up for the Vezel, with deliveries expected “just over twelve months from now”.

Based on the Jazz platform, the Vezel will go on sale in Japan this December with the choice of two petrol/hybrid drivetrains — but Collins says Australia will also get a diesel, but no four-wheel-drive variants.

“We want a diesel as well, but they’ll all be two-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s very much an urban type vehicle but despite its size, it’s actually much roomier than a Jazz.”

And as for the name?

“We love it but we’re not sure if it’s global at this stage or not,” said Collins.