Honda to launch WR-V on March 16th, bookings open

The Honda WR-V will be launched in India on March 16. Bookings for the Jazz-based crossover has commenced with the amount set at Rs 21,000. Ahead of the launch, we have driven the car and you can read our first drive review here.

First unveiled at 2016 Sao Paulo Motor Show, the WR-V (short for Winsome Runabout Vehicle) looks nothing like the Jazz upon which it is based upon. The WR-V looks more like a compact SUV rather than a beefed up hatchback. The crossover has a butch stance, with tall bonnet and high ground clearance. The design is quite masculine and suits the rugged appearance of the crossover. It has Honda’s signature chrome slat for grille, square-ish headlamps are swept back with integrated LED daytime running lamps with faux silver skid plate integrated into the black bumper cladding.

On the inside, the interior remains fairly similar to the Jazz to keep costs in check. The WR-V will carry forward the dashboard from the Jazz, with added updates from the new City sedan. So the seven-inch centre touchscreen would be larger than the one found in Jazz, the steering wheel mounted controls will be present, a tweaked instrument cluster, capacitive touch climate control will be available as well. The WR-V will also have a sunroof, just like the one found in City; inbuilt navigation in the infotainment system along with smartphone connectivity. However, Honda has dropped the ‘magic seats’ from the WR-V.

The WR-V gets petrol and a diesel engine options. The petrol variant is powered by a1.2-litre i-VTEC making 90bhp and 110Nm, while the diesel comes with a 1.5-litre i-DTEC producing 100bhp and 200Nm. Transmission options include a five-speed manual for petrol and six-speed manual transmission for the diesel.

When launched, the WR-V will go up against the likes of Hyundai i20 Active, Volkswagen Cross Polo, Toyota Etios Cross and the Fiat Avventura Cross as well as the compact crossovers such as Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport. Expected prices for the WR-V is between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.