Honda has locked in its first all-electric model for the Indian market – and it’s an SUV scheduled to arrive in 2026, setting the stage for the brand’s long-awaited EV entry. Why it matters: SUVs lead India’s sales charts, and putting the first EV in this format gives Honda a realistic chance at scale from day one.

When is it coming?

The company has outlined a 2026 India timeline for its debut battery-electric model, confirming the SUV shape and signaling a fresh nameplate rather than a quick conversion of an existing model. That approach allows Honda to tune packaging, efficiency, and costs for an EV-first brief, instead of adapting around legacy hardware.

Design and platform

Expect proportions in the compact-to-midsize band, with clean surfacing and a family SUV stance that plays to Indian buyers’ tastes. The project draws on learnings from Elevate program work while moving to an EV-specific execution, opening the door to better cabin space and a tighter turning radius than a like-for-like ICE base usually allows.

Features and tech

The equipment set should focus on daily usability: a connected infotainment suite, practical storage, and active safety features for city and highway duty.That likely means modern smartphone integration, a crisp digital interface, and a robust suite of driver assistance features on higher trims. This will likely include Honda’s well-regarded Honda Sensing ADAS package, without overcomplicating the core driving experience.

Performance and range

Final specs aren’t public yet, but a single-motor layout and a competitive real-world range are the sensible bets for this segment. The electric SUV is projected to offer a range of over 400 km on a single charge (Indian Driving Cycle), which would comfortably cover most urban commutes and a short weekend trip on a single charge.

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Price and competition

The sweet spot for this vehicle is now expected to be in the ₹20–25 lakh corridor, where rivals already offer multiple battery sizes and trims. Landing in this band with credible range and useful features is key to taking on established names like the Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra XUV400 EV, Hyundai Creta EV, and even higher-end competitors like the MG ZS EV.

Honda’s India EV plan

This SUV is the opening act in a broader push, with additional electrified models scheduled to follow. Localized production, component sourcing, and potential exports will be the levers to keep pricing in check and volumes healthy.

Closing note

If the pricing aligns with buyer expectations and the range feels fit-for-purpose, Honda’s first Indian EV – an SUV with a fresh badge – has every chance to be relevant from launch rather than a toe-in-the-water experiment.