Compared to other Japanese brands in the UAE, Honda is seen as a rather premium brand. While generally, they have been slow when it comes to bringing new products to the market, 2023 has been different for them. Having already brought in the ZRV and the Civic Type R, Honda UAE is gearing up to go on the offensive in the second half of the year by launching 3 cars in the next 3 months.
Upcoming Honda Cars in UAE in 2023
After receiving updates in the latter part of the last year, the beloved CR-V, Pilot, and Accord models are finally arriving on UAE shores. The CR-V and Pilot have evolved from their previous generations, retaining their core strengths, and ensuring continued customer satisfaction. However, the Accord has taken a different approach, departing from its sporty pretensions to cater to a broader audience.
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Honda Pilot
In the list of upcoming Honda cars in UAE, the all-new Honda Pilot is the first to launch. Teasers for the car have already been put up on the Social media pages of Honda UAE and it’s a matter of days before bookings open for the Pilot. When it comes to the engine, the Pilot is going to be powered by a new 3.5 liter Naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine that puts out 290 BHP and 360 Nm of torque. All this power will be channeled out through a Honda-developed 10-speed Automatic gearbox. This is the same gearbox that was seen on the previous gen Accord 2.0T and the current Honda Odyssey.
In terms of design, there is a departure from the minivan-type design and the new Pilot is going to adopt a lot more rugged design that will appeal to people. The Honda Pilot showcases a front fascia reminiscent of the recently unveiled CR-V and HR-V models. However, it’s the rear end of the Pilot that catches attention, bearing a striking resemblance to the 2016 Ford Everest (also known as the Endeavour in the Indian market). This design similarity gives the Pilot a robust and muscular appearance, adding to its overall appeal.
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Honda Accord E: HEV
The Accord is expected to be the second car to be launched just after the Pilot with the teasers already doing the rounds on various platforms. In what is a shift from its predecessor’s sportier credentials, the upcoming Accord is going to lay more emphasis on comfort and efficiency. The sole engine option that will be available initially will be a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine that will be paired up with electric motors.
In terms of design, the overall silhouette remains similar to the outgoing car, which is expected given the fact the Accord is based on the same platform as the previous gen. However, the front fascia is brought more in line with the likes of the CRV and Pilot and even the recently launched Elevate in India.
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Honda CR-V
Following the recent introduction of the ZR-V, the highly anticipated Honda CR-V is scheduled as the next launch. Positioned above the ZR-V, the CR-V will be available in a spacious 7-seater configuration, catering to larger families or those in need of extra seating capacity. While concrete details are yet to surface, speculations point towards two engine choices for customers. The first option is likely to be the familiar 1.5 Turbo engine, already powering the Civic and ZRV, projected to generate 190 BHP and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT gearbox. The second option is rumored to feature the 2.0-liter Hybrid engine sourced from the Accord, signaling the departure of the 2.4-liter iVTEC K24 engine. Excitement builds as the anticipated launch window approaches, estimated to take place between October and November
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2023 is indeed going to be a very strong year for Honda UAE after a period of lull with total launches going up to five for the entire year. With Honda UAE launching 3 cars in the coming 3 months, they will be covering all bases in the price range of 100,000 AED to 200,000 AED by offering a range of solid products. While competition will be tough as usual, it seems like Honda UAE is not willing to back down as they seem to be counting on the updates that have made their best-selling vehicles even better.
