Sharing a platform, or for that matter a car sold by two different manufacturers simultaneously isn’t as strange a proposition as it may seem. Honda Breeze from Guangqi Honda (aka Guangzhou Honda or GAC Honda) is an outcome of the JV between GAC Group and Honda Motor Company.
So, Breeze is a CR-V with a simpler revised front and rear. A slimmer taillight cluster is emphasised, encased in a more concise blackened bezel. The design connect is through a crease line instead of a chrome bar that runs between the taillights in CR-V. Basically, the new Honda Breeze is the CRV SUV, with Accord face.
A black trim runs through the rear below where the boot opens. And also extends onto the side panels. The rear is completed with trapezoidal-shaped exhausts, and reflectors that run thin. Labelled the turbo Breeze Black Edition, it’s easy to see why there’s plenty of black bits on the exterior. The front face is distinct with its large chrome bar on the grille flanked by jewel eye headlamps.
Based on the new generation Honda CRV, which is also on sale in India, the new Honda Breeze SUV comes in similar dimensions. Honda Breeze has the same width, height and wheelbase, but is has a longer length. Honda Breeze is 4,634 mm long (CRV in India is 4,592 mm long). This difference in length of 42 mm, is largely due to the sporty bumpers we see on board the Honda Breeze.
Powering the Honda Breeze is a 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine. This engine is rated at 193 PS and 243 Nm. It is mated to a CVT gearbox. It also borrows the trusted 2.4 liter turbo petrol engine from the CRV. This is rated at 184 PS and 250 Nm. There is no other engine option or transmission option on offer. The car is on offer with both 2WD as well as AWD. Launch of the new Honda Breeze is expected to take place by end of 2019.
Honda Cars India has no plans of launching this new Breeze SUV here. For India, they are working towards launching a new SUV, which is smaller than the CRV. This is going to be in the form of Honda HRV. The car has already been spied on test in India. It is expected to be launched by Diwali 2019, with the same set of petrol and diesel engine options which we have seen on board the recently launched Civic sedan.
