Honda RS midsize SUV concept revealed

Honda's RS concept will rival the Creta, Seltos and be based on the City, BR-V platform.

Published On Nov 11, 2021 12:28:00 PM

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Honda has finally showcased its future midsize SUV in concept form at the GIIAS 2021 in Indonesia. The Honda RS concept is a preview of the carmaker's Creta rival that could see the light of day in the coming months. Unlike the Creta, the Honda RS concept SUV gets sportier styling with fresh design cues.

Honda RS concept to spawn future midsize SUV
Will go on sale in Indonesia first
Expected to come with 1.5-litre petrol engine

New Honda RS concept SUV: design and dimensions

Honda has not announced the dimensions for the RS concept SUV. However, we expect it to be under 4.3 meters in length with a wheelbase similar to the City sedan.

As far as design goes, the new Honda RS concept SUV carries latest styling cues from newer Honda models like the bigger HR-V. The production version of the RS concept will be a five-seater SUV that will sit below the HR-V in the brand's global lineup and will be Honda's smallest SUV.

Up front, the new RS concept gets stylish angular wraparound headlamps with the grille neatly blending with the front bumper. The bumper features a simple design with a wide airdam, a faux skidplate and vertical slats for the foglamps.

The overall design of the RS concept SUV is more coupe SUV like, with a tapering roofline and an angular tailgate design. The glasshouse is large with a steep raked front and rear glass (for an SUV). It also gets a prominent shoulder line and chunky body cladding on the lower part of the doors with the wheel arches housing large alloy wheels finished in matte black. Honda's new SUV concept gets a prominent C-pillar that complements its raked rear tailgate design. At the rear, the SUV features slim horizontally positioned LED tail-lamps that are connected with a faux light bar. The bumper is large and houses the license plate enclosure and a faux skid plate.

New Honda RS concept SUV: engine and powertrain details

Honda has not announced engine or powertrain details for the RS concept SUV, as of now. However, we are told that the production-spec SUV will come with the same powertrain options as the City sold overseas – a 1.5-litre petrol and the same engine paired with Honda's e:HEV mild hybrid technology. Transmission options can include a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic.

Honda RS concept-based SUV: will it come to India?

Honda has confirmed that it is working on an India-specific SUV. There aren't many details available on this model, but, as mentioned by us before, this new SUV for India will also share its underpinnings with the City sedan.

The Honda RS SUV concept previewed by Honda at Indonesia seems to have the right ingredients to be the midsize SUV for India. However, we are yet to know if India is getting something on these lines.

Also see:

Hyundai Creta facelift officially revealed

Honda's first all-electric SUV, 3 new concepts revealed

Next-gen Honda Civic sedan revealed