Getting more car in a car has caught the fancy of Indian consumers and car makers are more than eager to fulfill this need. As parents and inlaws are integrated part of Indian families, many want their personal vehicles to accommodate an extended family of seven (or even eight with small kids). Maruti Suzuki was the first car maker that captured this need and turned it into a good business opportunity with its Ertiga - a hot selling seven-seater car. Now, Honda Cars India has entered the segment with its stylish 7-seater car Mobilio.
Though the category is called MPV (multi purpose vehicle), vehicles in this segment are essentially extended cars with more seats and flexible boot capacities. Honda's Mobilio, built on its successful 'Brio' platform (it is third after the compact sedan Amaze), looks similar to Brio from the front. But Mobilio's contemporary grille design and headlamps along with sleek design at the rear gives it a sporty and classy look as oppose to the van-like look of its main competition.
Of course, being a seven seater, Mobilio has a lot space inside. It is a car that looks big from outside and also spacious inside thanks to new interior designs. The fact that the second row seats can be moved forward or backward and the backrest can be adjusted, gives a good amount of flexibility in managing the interior space. The backrest of third row seats, more suitable for children than adults, can also be adjusted for comfortable seating. The third row can be folded fully or partly to enhance the luggage space for a weekend trip with the family.
Mobilio is also more powerful than its competition with two engine options: 1.5 litre diesel and 1.5 litre petrol. The diesel engine delivers a maximum power of 100 ps@3600 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm@1750 rpm with a fuel economy of 24.2 km in ideal test conditions. The petrol engine delivers a maximum power of 119 ps@6600 rpm, maximum torque of 145Nm@4600 rpm and fuel efficiency of 17.3 km in ideal test conditions.
Good thing about Mobilio is that though bigger in size, it is as easy to drive and maneuver in city traffic conditions. It has good ground clearance of 189 mm and a turning radius of 5.2 metre. The ex-showroom starting price of Mobilio in Bangalore is Rs 6.83 for petrol and Rs 8.25 for diesel. (More on Mobilio after I take it for a test drive.)
The writer is a business journalist and a freelance writer writing test drive reports on cars / SUVs for the last 11 years. Can be contacted on dilipmaitra@gmail.com. Pictures by the writer. (Any unauthorised copy and reproduction of images are prohibited. Please write for permission.)
