Honda Mobilio

Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese auto giant Honda, has finally stepped in the gold-digging MPV segment by introducing its stylish seven-seater Mobilio MPV in the country. Earlier, the MPV was also the showstopper at Honda stands at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo and was gracing the event. Based on the immensely versatile Brio platform and implementing the company's latest "Man Maximum, Machine Minimum" design philosophy, it sits between Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova in the MPV segment. Honda Mobilio boasts an array of the most advanced, up-market and contemporary features inside the cabin. The company intends to manufacture it at its Greater Noida production unit and take the localization up to 90% in order to make it cost-effective.

Honda has presented the Mobilio in both petrol and diesel guises with a total of seven variants. In both the aforementioned fuel trims, there are three similar variants - E, S and V while the top-of-the-range sport variant RS is only available with diesel guise and unlike the regular variants, its deliveries would commence by September. The company has used its twin 1.5 L power trains quite well with the MPV. Unfortunately, the Mobilio misses out on an automatic variant in both the guises. The interior cabin is not a never-seen-before stuff, instead it’s been borrowed from the Amaze and Brio, but that doesn't make it any less premium or spacious. The company hasn't left any stone unturned to ensure sure-shot success of this MPV.

Mobilio is yet another marvel wheeled out of the Honda factory as far as exterior designing is concerned. Based on the Brio platform, the front fascia of the MPV resembles the Amaze sedan. The smiley-shaped front grille with chrome accent looks decent with the halogen headlamps. At the centre of the grille, Honda badge graces the MPV. The front bumper has an air dam beneath it and accommodates twin fog lamps. The company has distinguished the RS variant from these regular ones by providing projector headlamps and redesigned front bumper with larger air-dam. Additionally, it also flaunts a spoiler to attain its sporty character perfectly. The exterior design concept used in the Mobilio MPV is being labelled as “Dual-Solid Motion” because it combines the glassy cabin with a dynamic body.

Going to the side profile, the B and C Pillars sport the traditional glossy black colour while the door handles and Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) are in accordance with the body colour. The top-end trim, apart from the RS variant, boasts 10-spoke, 15-inch alloy wheels while the base and mid-level variants are offered with 15-inch steel wheels. Looking at the rear end, Honda has come up with a massive windscreen for the MPV, which also has a Wiper with Washer. It has attractive and bigger tail lamp cluster, which is complemented well by the chrome inserts. Honda has bestowed this MPV with rear defogger and high-mount stop LED lamp in order to enhance the overall appearance of the rear profile. The RS variant, reflecting its sportiness, comes with a dual-tone rear bumper in accordance with a black strip and reflectors. In addition, the RS variant would sport an exclusive Crystal Black colour apart from the seven regular colours - Brilliant Gold Metallic, Carnelian Red Pearl, Urban Titanium Metallic, Taffeta White, Alabaster Silver Metallic and Majestic Metallic Blue.

Honda, once again showing the magic of its 'Man Maximum, Machine Minimum' philosophy, has carved out immense space inside the MPV. In Mobilio, the arm rests, instrument panel and central console are done in dual shade in form of black and beige along with silver trim. These features are a kind of “carry forward” from the elder siblings Amaze and Brio. As known, Mobilio is the longest MPV dimensionally in the entire segment as its length is around 4.4 meters, which subsequently benefits in form of larger boot and ample legroom at the third row. The second row seats are 60:40 split fold-and-tumble type with slide and recline option whereas the third and the last row come with 50:50 split folding type, which can also be reclined. It leaves a decent boot space of 223 L, which can be enhanced further up to 521 L after folding the third row. Additionally, Honda has skilfully incorporated door pockets at the front and middle rows in order to facilitate an occupant with storing small belongings nearby while the third row has a mobile and glass holder.

The height-adjustable driver's seat is also an advantage and works really well during long journeys. The three-spoke tilt steering has audio controls mounted over it for the sake of driver's convenience to adjust audio volumes directly from there. All the windows are power windows and the driver has separate access to each one. All the seats are done in premium fabric upholstery and have integrated head restraints. Moreover, the top-end trim also has a centre arm-rest with cup holders in the second row. Then, there is an accessory socket and a USB port in order to revive the dried-up battery of your phone. Honda Mobilio, except the base trim, flaunts a 2-DIN Integrated Audio System with AM/FM, MP3, USB and Aux-in connectivity. It also comes loaded with front and rear speakers to enable you listen to your favourite songs with full intensity. To maintain a healthy temperature inside the cabin, it boasts an air conditioner with heater as standard in all the variants. However, the base trim misses out rear A/C vents.

Honda Mobilio is being offered in petrol as well as diesel guises with company's twin 1.5 L engines. The petrol variants get the company's powerful 1.5 L motor that is already doing its duties in the City sedan. The 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 1497 cc, SOHC-enabled i-VTEC engine belts out a maximum power output of 117 bhp at 6600 rpm along with a peak torque of 145 Nm at 4600 rpm. The engine is coupled with the company's conventional five-speed manual transmission; no automatic variant on offer! On the other hand, the diesel variants of the MPV, including the Sporty RS variant, house a 1.5 L i-DTEC mill that is tried and tested well by the company with its existing sedans Amaze and City. This 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 1498 cc, DOHC-enabled i-DTEC engine returns a top power of 99 bhp at 3600 rpm and a high torque performance of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm. The engine, similar to the petrol variants, is mated to the five-speed manual gearbox to maximize fuel efficiency and performance.

Honda, as always, scores heavily in this segment. It is the third consecutive Honda car that records best-in-class mileage in diesel guise after the Amaze and City sedans. Honda Mobilio has a fuel efficiency of 24.2 kmpl as claimed by the company officials and certified by ARAI. On the other hand, the petrol variants return an incredible mileage of 17.3 kmpl, yet another best-in-class! However, these figures might drop down by 4-5 kmpl while driving in thick traffic and overcrowded streets inside the city.

Honda Mobilio is no exception as the Japanese auto major always installs a top-notch braking system in all its vehicles. The MPV has an efficient braking system in which the front brake is disc while the rear one is drum. This braking system responds instantly to the driver's foot and acts supremely in accordance with the duo of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). ABS and EBD are standard with every diesel variant whereas in petrol fuel trim, they come only with the top-end variant. Furthermore, the top-end variants in both the guises also boast front dual SRS airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioner with load limiter to ensure maximum safety of occupants in case of a collision. There are also additional safety features in the form of auto door lock with speed, driver seat belt reminder and powered lock hand switch.

Coming to the security front, Honda hasn't refrained from providing the MPV an array of first-grade features that would eradicate any chance of burglary or theft. Honda Mobilio is bestowed with central locking and immobilizer as standard security features across every variant. The mid-level and top-end trims also comprise of security alarm and keyless entry for maximum security of the vehicle.

Honda Mobilio is decent as far as handling is concerned. It consists of a three-spoke tilt electric power steering that works immensely well and manoeuvres the MPV with utmost ease through narrow and crowded roads. It is light at low speeds and stable at high speeds, and thus comes up with a stress-free and elegant driving experience. In addition, the MPV has McPherson strut suspension on the front and H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension, which further enlightens and complements the nonchalant driving pleasure. Honda has provided the MPV a best-in-class ground clearance of 189 mm, which is the oomph factor that makes it compatible with rough and uneven terrains, and even perform there with the same agility and intensity. The 1.5 L i-VTEC petrol-powered variants of the MPV accomplish the 100 kmph barrier from being standstill in 13 seconds while clocking a top speed of 160 kmph. On the other hand, the diesel ones don't lag behind by much as they achieve the same milestone of 100 kmph in and around 14 seconds while registering a top speed of 165 kmph.

Honda scores a hat trick of successful vehicles in the Indian auto industry as the Mobilio is the third consecutive vehicle from the company that has got a thundering response in the country, after the Amaze and City sedans. Honda has created the MPV quite well by studying and understanding the needs of people, branded and promoted it very well, and priced it well. A not-so-feature-rich base variant lands a bit of disappointment but except that, all is well.

Honda Mobilio challenges the likes of Maruti Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy, Nissan Evalia and Toyota Innova in the Indian automotive industry. Undoubtedly, it has got the most efficient and powerful power trains in both the guises as compared to its contemporaries, except the Innova. But, the pricing of Innova is way higher than these MPVs. Hence, Mobilio gets an edge over its rivals in terms of spaciousness, ground clearance and features. The cheapest of the lot is Ertiga but the third row spacing is pathetic in Ertiga.