Should The Latest WR-V Be Offered Alongside The Honda Elevate In India?

While the Honda Elevate has helped the carmaker target the compact SUV segment, we believe the WR-V will make its SUV lineup stronger

Update (04/09/23): Honda has announced the prices of the Elevate SUV.

Honda has appeared to be on the back foot in India for the last few years. Apart from the Honda City Hybrid – essentially a derivative of the regular fifth-gen City – there haven’t been any new major model launches from the carmaker in our market. To jog your memory, the Honda WR-V was their last fresh launch for India back in 2017, and it served as their closest SUV-like offering. 

And now, Honda is finally making a move to rejuvenate its presence in our market with the recently revealed Honda Elevate, an all-new model, which will enter the crowded compact SUV segment. With the WR-V discontinued in April 2023 due to the BS6 Phase 2 norms, the Elevate will be Honda’s sole SUV offering in India. In our opinion, it does not have to be that way, and here’s why.

What About The WR-V?

Although the India-spec WR-V didn’t get any of the global updates before its eventual discontinuation, it has been improved over time in other markets. The new-gen Honda WR-V, which debuted in late 2022, made global headlines with its recent launch in Malaysia. Our friends in the Southeast Asian country also enjoy the sportier iteration of the SUV thanks to the range-topping RS trim.

Why It Makes Sense For India

Honda plans to launch five new SUVs in India by 2030, though it hasn’t divulged details like whether those include any existing nameplates. The only  confirmed model is the Elevate EV. So if one could petition Honda regarding which other models to reboot its SUV innings in India, the new-gen WR-V will top our list.

• Affordability

Shortening the new WR-V’s length to under four metres (from 4.060m) could make it more affordable and competitive against other subcompact SUVs. While the Elevate can compete in the more premium space against better-equipped SUVs from Hyundai, Kia, Maruti, Toyota and the like, the WR-V could be positioned below the Elevate as a more affordable entry point to Honda SUVs, with the benefit of being a known identity amongst both buyers and Honda fans, unlike the Elevate.

Furthermore, subcompact SUVs today are some of the most sought-after models, proven by the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Brezza.

• Design Advantage

The new-gen WR-V has its own advantages, foremost being its sporty design that will help it stand out in the populated segment. In this writer’s opinion, its design is more exciting than that of the all-new Elevate. Additionally, the Elevate’s target audience is mainly family car buyers. The WR-V, then, with its more compact dimensions and sportier stance, would better help Honda cater to personal car buyers, that too at a lower price point.

The India-spec WR-V could also get an improved interior and gain some premium features from the Elevate, like the 10.25-inch touchscreen, single-pane sunroof, and perhaps the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as offered in the Malaysian-spec model.

• Shared Petrol Engine

Then comes the benefit of the shared powertrain that will help keep manufacturing costs in check. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the new WR-V is powered by the same tried and tested 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Honda City sedan, which will power the upcoming Elevate SUV as well. This naturally aspirated unit puts out 121PS and 145Nm with both 6-speed MT and CVT options. If the new WR-V were to be offered with this powertrain here as well, it would become one of the most powerful SUVs in its class.

Related: Honda Will Offer The Elevate In 10 Colour Options

What About The Elevate SUV?

In some ways, the Elevate will be Honda’s SUV alternative to its compact sedan, the City. Both have a lot in common, with the latter including features and powertrain options, except that the SUV will not be getting a hybrid version. It will be offered in four broad variants: SV, V, VX and ZX. Prices of the Honda Elevate will likely start at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) with the launch slated for September 2023. It will be in contention with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, and MG Astor.

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