Honda Reveals India-Bound WR-V

The Honda WR-V is likely to go on sale in the first quarter of next year and will compete primarily with the EcoSport and Vitara Brezza, among others. 

Honda has revealed its debutant sub-4m SUV – the WR-V – at the 2016 Sao Paulo International Motor Show in Brazil. The Jazz-based SUV will go on sale in the first half of 2017 in South American countries and is likely to be launched in India around the same time. The Honda WR-V will compete against the other sub-4m SUVs in the country such as the Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra TUV300, and others. For the uninitiated, the WR-V stands for ‘Winsome Runabout Vehicle’ and was developed by Honda’s Brazilian R&D (research and development) team.  

In terms of design, as expected, the WR-V reminds one of the Jazz, especially the side profile. But it features a fresh new face that is in line with the CR-V and the HR-V. The bonnet is high-set and features Honda’s current chrome grille design, which is flanked by swept-back headlamps equipped with daytime running LEDs. Also, the front bumper has been designed in a way that the vehicle looks wider. 

At the side, the doors and the greenhouse are shared with the Jazz. However, the car rides on a new set of machined alloy wheels. The rear is subtly different from the hatch, with the slightly redesigned tail lamps extending into the bootlid (note: Honda has incorporated black elements in the places where the Jazz has red ones) and the license plate placed a bit lower. The vehicle features the customary roofrails, all-around body cladding and dual-tone bumpers. 

Honda has not revealed the interior and mechanicals of the WR-V yet and they will be revealed during the launch. But, as is the case with the exterior of the vehicle, the interior won’t be radically different and will resemble the inside of the Jazz and the City. We can expect subtle changes and incorporation of Honda's latest infotainment system. 

Speaking of the mechanicals, in India, the WR-V is likely to borrow its powertrains – both diesel and petrol – from the Jazz. However, there is a possibility that Honda will offer the 1.5-litre petrol unit of the City in the WR-V since the EcoSport offers powerful petrol options. 

Recommended Reads

• Honda WR-V Vs Jazz: What’s Different
• Honda WR-V: First Drive Review