Honda's Vezel remains an interesting concoction of design elements that can only be sampled in its domestic Japanese market. However, all signs point towards a European debut in the next year under the name "HR-V". And thanks to Honda, we can actually show you what this car would look like going down the road of… say a sunny Spanish resort.
The first big-budget commercial for the Vezel was revealed in the other week Japan. Titled "Seaside Resort", it clearly puts a Mediterranean twist on this JDM product with white-walled Hispanic architecture and dancing.
The Vezel is based on the platform of the new Fit subcompact, launched in America as a 2015 model year. Back home, the Fit is actually called a Jazz and it's currently the best selling car in the country. It's packed with technology Honda can't offer on subcompact cars anywhere else, like full-LED headlights, a twin-clutch gearbox couple to an advanced hybrid system and active safety systems.
Subjectively speaking, we also find that this tiny SUV to be a looker. The Vezel competes in the same class as an Opel Mokka (same as Buick Encore) and the Nissan Juke. But it looks more planted and has a coupe-like sloping side profile.
In Japan, prices range from 1.87 million yen ($18,850 at current rates) for the base 2WD model and top out at 2.68 million yen ($26,012) for the top-spec 4WD hybrid equipped with the seven-speed DCT gearbox. It's likely the powertrains will be revised for Europe and America to include a cheaper CVT.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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