HONDA MOBILIO FIRST MPV FROM HONDA IN INDIA

  Honda’s first MPV for India. It’s based on an extended Brio platform and the familial connection is visible – the same Pokemon-like face and multiple slashes on the doors. It has got a quirky lightning-bolt shaped shoulder-line that allows room enough for a large glasshouse The money shot however is the Civic Tourer Concept-inspired floating C-pillar and the BMW X-Series inspired T-shaped taillights that primarily contribute towards making the Mobilio look stylish and upmarket. It isn’t the prettiest car around though, but breaks away from the breadbox-shape stereotype of the other MPVs.
 Exterior

Unlike its competition in the premium MPV segment, the Mobilio is designed to appeal to a younger audience who look for distinctive looks along with the practicality of an MPV. The Mobilio, as a result, looks more appealing and lively than all its rivals. The front-end, although based on the Brio hatchback, looks stylish enough and it’s the side profile and rear-end where the Mobilio is really distinctive.

The styling is particularly quirky once past the B-pillar: the combination of a large glasshouse, long overhang and the sporty looking taillights and the bumper set the Mobilio apart from the competition. Additionally, the Mobilio is also available in a sporty RS variant which has sportier exterior design details than the standard model. The Mobilio RS gets projector headlamps with LED lamps, unique alloy wheel design, sporty chrome grille, tailgate spoiler, side sill garnish, retractable wing mirrors with turn indicators and chrome exterior door handles.

Interior

Developed using Honda’s design philosophy of “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum”, the Mobilio promises optimum utilisation of space and practicality with its cleverly designed interiors. While the design and the layout of the interior is very similar to that of the Brio and the Amaze, the Mobilio’s cabin seats seven occupants.

While the second row seat offers a 60:40 split function with slide and recline option, the third row seat is a 50:50 spilt folding type which can be reclined for extra comfort. Once folded flat, it can be tumbled forward to maximise the cargo space. Honda says the raised roof lining provides impressive headroom for second-row and third-row passengers while creating enough space to include a rear air-conditioner panel.

The basic boot space for the Mobilio is rated at 223 litres which can be enhanced to 521 litres with the third row folded flat. Honda is offering electric mirrors, steering mounted audio controls, touch screen infotainment system with navigation, airbags and ABS as standard.

Engine and Gearbox

The Mobilio is offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol unit is the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers 119bhp of power and 145Nm of torque. Also used in the new City, this engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and promises best in class fuel economy of 17.3kmpl. The 1.5L-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, on the other hand, is based on Honda’s latest Earth Dreams Technology. It delivers 100bhp of power and 200Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Honda claims a fuel economy of 24.2 kmpl, making it the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class. The same diesel unit also powers the Amaze and the City.

Competition

The Mobilio is available in three variants – E, S and V. The sportier Mobilio RS, on the other hand, is available only with a diesel engine. Honda is offering seven different colour options and a two year or 40,000km warranty as standard.

The Mobilio competes in the mid-size MPV segment with cars like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Nissan Evalia and the Chevrolet Enjoy.

                                           Specifications Summary

Engines

1498 cc powerDiesel, 99 bhp, 3600 RPM @ 
1497 cc, Petrol, 118 bhp @ 6600 RPM power 
1498 cc, Diesel, 99 bhp @ 3600 RPM power 

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, FWD 

Seating Capacity

7 seater 

Steering

Power steering