Honda’s new WR-V to be launched tomorrow

Honda Cars India is all set to launch their new SUV- the WR-V on March 16. The WR-V will be the third SUV in Honda’s scheme of things for India and will join the BR-V and the CR-V SUVs. The WR-V is based on the Honda Jazz platform and shares majority of its underpinnings.

In spite of being based on the Jazz, the Honda WR-V looks nothing like the hatchback. The body shape is inspired from the CR-V and the WR-V looks its part as a proper SUV and not a crossover. The front fascia sits tall with the high bonnet and with the large chrome slat taking centre-stage on the honeycomb grille. Its only when you view its side profile is when the Jazz roots are apparent. The tail again is freshly done. The peripheral cladding and high stance give it the required brawn.

Inside, the WR-V is unmistakably like the Jazz with a very similar layout of the dashboard, dials, centre console and the steering wheel. While the equipment is also the same as the Jazz, the WR-V gets an added electrically operated sunroof in the top-spec car bringing it closer to the Honda City on the features list. 

Under the hood, the car will sport a 1.2-litre petrol i-Vtec engine and the 1.5-litre i-Dtec engine powering the WR-V, just like the Jazz. The 90bhp petrol engine comes mated to a five-speed manual while the diesel comes only with a six-speed manual and develops 98bhp of power. It gets dual front airbags with ABS and EBD standard across the range.

The WR-V will be positioned between the Honda Jazz hatchback and the Honda City sedan and we think it will start between Rs 7.2 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh for the base petrol, ex-showroom, Delhi. The top-spec diesel, with all its bells and whistles, might be a bit expensive, to the tune of Rs 12 lakh, ex-showroom.