Honda's 2 Big Launches In May: City Sedan Facelift And ZR-V Hybrid SUV
The Japanese automotive giant Honda Cars India is currently struggling with sales volume in the country. However, it has now confirmed that the company is gearing up for a major dual launch event on May 22, 2026. On this day, it will be introducing two very important models in the Indian market. These will include the updated Honda City facelift and the all-new Honda ZR-V hybrid SUV.
What makes this announcement even more important is the fact that Honda had already internally planned these launches earlier. However, after many delays, the launch will be officially taking place next month. Recently, a leaked image was shared online in which the camouflaged rear profiles of these new cars were seen.
The biggest highlight of this upcoming launch event will be the introduction of the Honda ZR-V hybrid SUV. This model will sit on top of the lineup as the brand’s flagship SUV in India. The ZR-V will take the position of the halo product to enhance Honda’s premium image in the country. Unlike the more mass-market-focused Honda Elevate, the ZR-V will target buyers looking for a more premium and sophisticated SUV experience.
In terms of positioning, the ZR-V will be brought into India via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route. This means it will not be locally manufactured; as a result, it will become expensive, and the price will be in the range of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. However, real-world estimates suggest it could go even higher, touching Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom).
At this price point, it will rival premium SUVs like the newly launched Volkswagen Tayron R-Line and the Skoda Kodiaq. However, it has to be noted that even though the Honda ZR-V will not be a direct competitor of the Toyota Fortuner, it will still get stacked up against it due to the overlapping price tag. And we all know that the Fortuner is the undisputed champion of the full-size SUV segment in India.
Coming to the design details of the upcoming Honda ZR-V, this SUV will feature a more rounded and crossover-like stance, unlike the upright and boxy styling of the Elevate. It will measure approximately 4568 mm in length, 1840 mm in width, and 1620 mm in height, and will be offered with a wheelbase of 2657 mm.
On the inside, the ZR-V will come loaded with features which will make it one of the most premium Honda offerings in India. It will include a large freestanding touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital driver display, multi-zone climate control, wireless charging, a powered tailgate, and a premium sound system.
Additionally, it will also get Honda Sensing, which is the brand’s ADAS suite, along with features like ventilated seats, a powered driver seat, a 360-degree camera, and multiple drive modes. The biggest highlight of the ZR-V will be its hybrid powertrain. It will come powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired with an electric motor setup and an e-CVT gearbox.
This system will allow the SUV to run in pure EV mode as well as hybrid mode. The combined power output is expected to be around 180 PS. Internationally, the petrol engine produces around 141 PS and 182 Nm, while the electric motor produces 184 PS and 315 Nm. The battery will be self-charging and will recharge during petrol operation.
Alongside the ZR-V, Honda will also be launching the updated version of its highly popular sedan, the Honda City. This will be the second facelift of the fifth-generation City. The first facelift was introduced in 2023. This update will be a mid-life refresh before the arrival of the next-generation model. The new model is expected to make its debut in India by 2028.
In terms of design, the 2026 City facelift will not be a complete overhaul but will feature subtle yet noticeable changes. These will include redesigned headlights, a new front grille, updated bumpers, and new alloy wheels. At the rear, it is expected to get a sharper and slightly sportier bumper design as well.
Moving to the interior, this is where Honda is expected to make the most improvements. The current City has started to lag behind its rivals like the Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus, and Skoda Slavia in terms of features. So, to address this issue, Honda is expected to offer a number of new feature additions.
These will most likely include a larger touchscreen infotainment system with updated software, a fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, a powered driver seat, and a 360-degree camera. There could also be upgrades in upholstery and overall cabin quality. Despite these additions, the overall layout of the cabin is expected to remain largely similar to the current model.
Powering the Honda City facelift will be the same set of engines. The standard petrol variant will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC engine which produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and an optional CVT automatic with paddle shifters.
Meanwhile, the other will be the hybrid variant, which we know as the e:HEV. It uses a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired with two electric motors, and its combined output is around 126 PS. Honda is also working on a new cost-effective hybrid system for future models like the City and Elevate.
However, this facelift will retain the current setup. In terms of pricing, the 2026 Honda City facelift is expected to be priced between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20.5 lakh (ex-showroom).