The Mobilio retains a majority of Honda’s characteristics in performance too. The petrol engine powering this car is the same 1.5-litre 119 PS i-VTEC mill making 145 Nm of torque that you find in the City. The gearbox is silky smooth and the gear ratios have been calibrated for comfortable city driving – the car can be driven comfortably in the fourth and fifth gears within city limits too. The Mobilio pulls cleanly and provides enough grunt to take you to 100 km/h in just over 12 seconds from standstill. The engine is quiet during city drives which results in further reduction in cabin noise when compared to its diesel variant.
Handling-wise, while the Mobilio isn’t from the genre of car you want to be throwing into a corner at break-neck speeds, it is still sprightly and handles well. Steering feedback, however, is slightly understated. The ride quality is formidable, as the Mobilio holds its shape even across niggly, deteriorated roads. Even around the bends, the body-roll, though present in this 1.6-metre tall car, isn’t anything to grumble about. Stopping isn’t a problem either, because the brakes are sharp and communicative; throw the standard ABS and EBD into the mix, and you can drive safe in the knowledge that this car will stop promptly.
The Mobilio also packs dual SRS airbags in the front, a pre-tensioner and load-limiter equipped front seat-belt, and a security alarm and immobiliser along with the parking camera in its cache of safety features. Being priced at Rs 10.18 lakh (OTR, Pune), means the Mobilio does come at a premium over its competitors. However, considering the amalgamation of rigidity and practicality, along with competitive fuel economies and looks that are absolutely unmatched, you wouldn’t begrudge Honda this price-tag too much.
The Mobilio definitely stands out among its peers then, and brings an edge and an attitude to an otherwise banal category. This isn’t your average, ordinary, everyday people carrier then; it is a car that is quite capable of satisfying the great Indian family.
