Manufacturer Honda Class Mini MPV | Production 2001–2008 Related | |
 | ||
Layout Front-engine design, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive Engine 1.5 L L15A i-DSI I4
1.5 L L15A VTEC I4 | ||
Honda Mobilio (Japanese: ホンダモビリオ, Honda Mobirio) is a seven-seater mini MPV produced by Japanese automaker Honda. The first generation Mobilio produced from 2001 to 2008, was the second in Honda's Small Max series and also took Honda's Global Small Platform and their i-DSI engine. In May 2008, Honda Freed was introduced, replacing the Mobilio. The second generation Mobilio was introduced in Indonesia in early 2014, then into the Indian market in July 2014. The Mobilio was also introduced into the South African market in October 2014.
Contents
First generation (2001–2008)
Honda Mobilio was a 1.5L compact-wagon that was designed with recreational activities in mind. The Mobilio Spike was released in Japan on September 19, 2002 and was Honda’s second model in the Small Max series. Due to its outdoor marketing approach, it was sold in Japan at Honda Verno dealership locations. The Mobilio, according to Honda, attained the highest fuel rating in the 7-passenger vehicle class, at 17.2 km/L. It was discontinued in Summer 2008 following the release of the Honda Freed. The Mobilio featured a spacious cargo area that was 6.09 ft (1.86 m) deep and 3.6 ft (1.10 m) tall and could be configured in 5 modes; utility mode, long mode, twin mode, refresh mode, and adjustment mode. Along with the flexible cargo configurations, there are two sliding doors, one on each side. Interior tailgate storage hooks can hold about 11 lb (5.0 kg).
The 1.5L VTEC engine is designed for both power and fuel economy. The Japan Ministry of Transport recognized the Mobilio as an "excellent low emissions" vehicle. Also featured in the Mobilio Spike is the Honda Multimatic S (CVT). It is Honda's new generation of CVT with 7-speed mode that offers three driving modes: CVT; 7-speed automatic shift mode; and 7-speed manual shift mode. Four-Wheel Drive is also available. The Mobilio Spike incorporates Honda's G-CON (G-force Control) technology, for enhanced crash safety. The vehicle body is designed to offer protection to occupants in a 55 km/h full-frontal collision, a 64 km/h front offset collision, 55 km/h side collision, and a 50 km/h rear collision. Honda has implemented its own vehicle-to-vehicle collision testing program: 50% frontal offset collision with a 2-ton class vehicle while both vehicles traveling at 50 km/h, to help improve safety in real-world collisions. In order to enhance recyclability, almost all interior injection-molded parts are made of olefin resin. Together with other measures, it results in an overall vehicle recyclability of over 90%.
Second generation (2014–present)
In September 2013, the Mobilio was revived with major changes. It is based on Honda Brio platform. It competes with other mini MPVs like Toyota Avanza, Nissan Grand Livina, Suzuki Ertiga, and Chevrolet Spin in Indonesia and Maruti Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy, Isuzu Crosswind, and Toyota Innova in India. Trim levels offered are S, E, E Prestige and RS with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT (RS, E and E Prestige only) transmission. The second generation Mobilio uses a 1.5L L15Z1 i-VTEC Petrol engine or a 1.5L Earth Dream i-DTEC Diesel engine. As for 2014, a diesel powertrain have not been introduced for the Indonesian market. The Honda Mobilio won the Car of the Year Otomotif Award 2014 in Indonesia. During April 2014, the Honda Mobilio sold 7,526 units or more than 50 percent of the selling leader of mini MPVs, Toyota Avanza which has been released since 2003. During June 2014, Honda Mobilio sold 10,896 units while the Toyota Avanza sold 14,892 units. At the end of August 2014 year to date, Honda sold 110,457 units and increased by 78 percent from last year of the same period, Honda Mobilio made a debut with 59,377 sales units or about 54 percent of all Honda sales.
The Mobilio was introduced in the Philippines on May 1, 2015. On the next day, May 2, first appearance of the Mobilio was on the automotive magazine show Turbo Zone in Philippine soil on the eve of Pacquiao-Mayweather match. LHD-spec Mobilios has been exported from the Ayutthaya plant in Thailand.
Mobilio RS
On June 19, 2014, Honda Prospect Motor Indonesia released the sportier variant, the Mobilio RS. The RS variant was more radical, including a sportier body kit, projector headlamps with DRLs (Daytime running lights), a sportier 15" wheel, silver roof garnish, full black interior, silver mate door handle, speed sensing door lock, tweeter, audio steering switch, and double door insulation to make the chassis more rigid. These changes were very significant compared with the Prestige variant. It was offered with new colors, with Carnelian Red Pearl and Modern Silver Metallic replacing Polished Metal Metallic, and the other colors in the standard Mobilio are also offered except Premium Blue Pearl. Either a 5-speed manual or a CVT transmission are offered.
Facelift
On January 12, 2017, the Mobilio received a facelift update for the 2017 model year, featuring a new redesigned headlamp and grille. This facelift update was launched after more than three years of its initial launch without significant changes except the new redesigned dashboard on the 2016 Mobilio (also used on the BR-V).
As of January 2017, the Indonesian market Mobilio is available in three trims. The trim level consists of S, E and RS. The S trim is only available with a manual transmission.