Honda Vezel Compact SUV goes on sale in Japan

The Honda Vezel Compact SUV – Honda’s take on Nissan’s Juke – has gone on sale in Japan. The Vezel, with a different name, will arrive in the UK in 2015.

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The Honda Vezel – the production version of the Honda Urban Concept – arrived at the Tokyo Motor Show last month as Honda’s take on the Nissan Juke, and it’s now gone on sale in Japan.

Honda are aiming to cover all the bases with the Vezel, stating it offers “the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupé and the functionality of an MPV”. A car for every man (and woman), no less.

But the Vezel does look a promising offering with good economy, the option of four wheel drive, a hybrid engine option and clever seats that allow for all sorts of load carrying.

Honda say the Vezel has a coupe-like feel inside (which we take to mean it’s a bit tight in the back) and, in Japan at least, comes with a 1.5 litre petrol hybrid that has the power of a 2.0 litre. Honda don’t say which 2.0 litre, but it’s safe to assume it won’t have the power of the 2.0 litre turbo in the Mercedes A45 AMG.

The Vezel is due to make the trip to Honda’s UK showrooms by 2015 to sit under the CR-V – albeit with a different name – when it will probably be offered with the 1.5 litre petrol, 1.5 litre Hybrid and, we expect, Honda’s new 1.6 litre diesel.

The Honda Vezel looks a convincing offering.