Honda confirms new compact SUV for India, launch expected by 2028

Honda has officially confirmed plans to introduce a new compact SUV for the Indian market by 2028, signalling the brand’s renewed focus on one of the country’s most competitive passenger vehicle segments. The upcoming model will mark Honda’s return to the sub-4 metre SUV space after the discontinuation of the WR-V in 2023.

The announcement was made during Honda’s latest global financial results briefing, where the company outlined its future growth strategy for India. Honda stated that it will introduce new strategic products in two key segments — vehicles under four metres in length and the mid-size category, both of which continue to witness strong demand among Indian buyers.

India-focused product strategy

Honda said its future models for India will be developed specifically around local customer expectations, usage patterns and market conditions. The company acknowledged that its previous global product strategy may not have fully aligned with the requirements of Indian consumers and confirmed that future offerings will feature specifications better suited to the market.

Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer at Honda, stated that the company intends to create products that closely match the needs of Indian customers while improving competitiveness in the market.

The upcoming compact SUV is expected to become Honda’s second sub-4 metre product in India alongside the Amaze. Once launched, it is likely to compete against popular rivals such as the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.

As part of its broader expansion strategy, Honda has established Honda Digital Innovation India, a dedicated digital platform company that will support future mobility and customer engagement initiatives. The automaker is also preparing to strengthen its retail and financing ecosystem through a new captive finance business in India, which is expected to begin operations before the end of the financial year ending March 31, 2027.

While technical details of the new compact SUV remain under wraps, Honda’s renewed focus on India-specific products suggests the brand is preparing a more aggressive approach for the next phase of growth.

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