Honda Mobilio E

The Honda Mobilio is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) designed to cater to the Indian markets demand for spacious and versatile vehicles. It is built on the same platform as the Honda Brio and Amaze but features a longer wheelbase and different suspension settings. The Mobilio is available in both petrol and diesel variants, with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine producing 117 bhp and a 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine producing 98 bhp. The vehicle boasts a spacious interior, with comfortable first and second-row seats, though the third row is best suited for younger adults. It offers 223 liters of boot space, which is more than its closest rivals. However, the interior materials and electronics have been a point of contention, with many users reporting issues with central locking, music systems, and overall build quality. Despite its smooth ride and handling, the Mobilios safety and reliability concerns make it a less appealing option in the competitive MPV segment.

The Honda Mobilio, while ambitious in its design and features, falls short in several critical areas. The vehicles exterior styling, though appealing, especially from the rear, does not translate well to the interior, where the use of cheap plastics and a basic dashboard design are noticeable drawbacks. The driving experience is smooth, and the car handles well, but safety concerns, such as the lightweight body and frequent electronic malfunctions, are significant red flags. The third row, though accessible, is not as spacious as some of its competitors, and the overall comfort for long drives is compromised, especially for the middle and back seats. Given these issues, the Mobilio does not offer the value for money that one would expect from a Honda product, making it a less desirable choice compared to its competitors like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Honda has officially discontinued the Mobilio in India due to poor sales, and the model has been removed from the companys official website. This decision was made after the vehicle failed to gain significant traction in the Indian market. I think this move was inevitable given the stiff competition in the MPV segment.

Honda had considered bringing a new version of the Mobilio to India but ultimately decided against it due to poor demand. This decision was made after assessing the market and realizing that the current model was not viable. I think this was a wise decision given the competitive landscape.

In 2017, Honda revealed a facelifted version of the Mobilio, which was set to be introduced in Indonesia. This update included several cosmetic changes, but it did not make its way to the Indian market. I think this facelift could have been a last-ditch effort to revive the models popularity.

The Honda Mobilio, despite its initial success in August 2014 when it topped the sales of its rival Maruti Ertiga, saw a decline in demand over the subsequent years. This decline led to Honda reevaluating its product lineup in India. I believe the Mobilios design and features, although innovative, did not resonate long-term with Indian consumers.

The Mobilio offered a range of comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning, power windows, rear AC vents, and a multi-function steering wheel. However, these features were not unique enough to differentiate it from its competitors. I believe the interior could have been more premium to attract more buyers.

The Honda Mobilio was priced competitively in the Indian market, with ex-showroom prices starting around 6.5 lakhs for the base model and going up to around 10 lakhs for the top-of-the-line variant. However, when you factor in the on-road costs, including taxes and other charges, the price would typically range from around 7.5 lakhs to 11.5 lakhs. While the initial pricing seemed attractive, especially for a 67 seater vehicle, the overall value proposition is marred by the use of cheaper materials and several functional issues. This makes the Mobilio less of a bargain than it initially appears, especially when compared to other options in the same segment.

The Honda Mobilio offers decent mileage, with the petrol variant delivering around 12-15 kmpl in city driving and up to 18 kmpl on highways. The diesel variant is more fuel-efficient, providing around 18.5 kmpl in city conditions and up to 22 kmpl on highways. These figures are respectable, but they come with the caveat of a less refined diesel engine and some stability issues at higher speeds. For users concerned about mileage and running costs, the Mobilio is a viable option, but its essential to weigh these benefits against its other shortcomings.