Honda unveil Vezel compact SUV in Tokyo

The Honda Vezel compact SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda New Zealand has announced that it will join the popular compact SUV market with the launch of the Vezel at the Tokyo motor show yesterday.

Based on the all-new Jazz platform, the Vezel will be available with a 1.5-litre petrol and hybrid engine and with AWD or 2WD.

It goes on sale next month in Japan but we won't see it until late 2014, according to Honda NZ general manager, Murray Selby.

"We wanted the Vezel as soon as possible but we don't' know when at this time," said Selby.
He also didn't know if the name Vezel would be used worldwide or just in Japan.

But it will make a huge impact on the New Zealand market, taking on the already established Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008, Nissan Juke, and Ford's 2014 EcoSport.

The compact SUV segment in New Zealand is the fastest growing with luxury models such as Porsche's Macan and the Mercedes-Benz GLA joining a version from Lexus that is based on the RAV4, in the next few years.