Opening up a brand new card doesn’t assure the draw will guarantee business success, particularly when it includes going into an unfamiliar area, however Honda Malaysia is banking on the Honda WR-V’s arrival into the entry-level SUV section giving it a profitable hand.
LINK: Honda WR-V Pre-booking in Malaysia
The second-generation WR-V or Winsome Runabout Car is because of be launched right here quickly, someday within the third quarter of the 12 months. Launched final November, the DG4 marks the automaker’s entry into the small SUV recreation within the area, its creation largely led to by Honda’s want to compete within the section in opposition to rivals such because the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky in Indonesia.
Nearer to house, it should go head-to-head in opposition to the Perodua Ativa, and its debut right here comes on the expense of the BR-V, which has been dropped from the native line-up. The swap away from the latter, which supplied Honda patrons a seven-seater possibility, appears like a little bit of a chance, however the firm is hoping that the shift in focus away from the very aggressive seven-seater recreation can pay dividends.
Forward of its arrival right here, Honda Malaysia supplied the prospect to pattern the Honda WR-V in Thailand, doing so on a two-day drive from Bangkok to Pattaya. How does the second iteration of the nameplate form up?
Let’s discover out.
Sharp swimsuit
Comparisons of the Honda WR-V in opposition to the Ativa are inevitable due to how each fashions sit in the identical class/class, if not in value (extra on this later). As such, you’ll discover appropriate references all through the assessment, with my observations gleaned as an Ativa proprietor, having bought an AV variant final September as a substitute for a long-serving Ford Fiesta.
First up, dimensions. The Honda WR-V, which sits on a shortened second-gen BR-V platform, measures in at 4,060 mm lengthy, 1,780 mm broad and 1,608 mm tall, with a 2,485 mm-long wheelbase. Comparatively, the Ativa is 4,065 mm lengthy, 1,710 mm broad and 1,635 mm tall, and has a 2,525 mm-long wheelbase, making it 5 mm longer and 27 mm taller however 70 mm narrower than the Honda. Whereas the Ativa has a 40 mm longer wheelbase, its floor clearance is decrease at 200 mm in comparison with the WR-V’s 220 mm.
Though related in dimension, the Honda WR-V feels the extra compact of the 2 visually, and never in a nasty manner, as a result of it’s the extra vibrant trying of the duo. The WR-V’s traces works very properly within the metallic, with the form having a superb, muscular enchantment about it from most angles (the rear does look a bit tender in comparison with the entrance and sides). For those who’re not into wedge-styled faces, the RS’ entrance, with its chrome chequered grille, will look particularly sharp to the attention.
On this regard, the youthful crowd is sure to be taken by the sporty depiction, which additionally incorporates a Volvo-esque C-pillar circulation, actually extra so than if the design pitch had been styled alongside the traces of the just lately introduced Elevate, which uncannily resembles the Perodua in sure design areas.
The evaluators in Thailand had been all RS variants, with three exterior colors obtainable for the 5 models that had been in service. Of the shades, the two-tone Ignite Purple Metallic with black roof – distinctive to the RS – arguably exhibits the Honda WR-V off greatest, however the Stellar Diamond Pearl isn’t far behind. Oh, a phrase in regards to the roof rails – they’re good and add aptitude to the presentation, however are merely ornamental plastic models to boost the aesthetics.
Equipment and specs
A fast recap of the trims and package obtainable for the Honda WR-V in Thailand and Indonesia. The factor to notice is that whereas they differ considerably when it comes to gear specification, the automobiles offered in each markets are assembled in Indonesia by PT Honda Prospect Motor. After all, our WR-V will probably be assembled right here in Melaka.
Customary gear on the WR-V in Thailand embrace computerized LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights with sequential flip indicators, physique colored door handles, black artificial leather-based/material mixture seat upholstery and leather-based steering wheel (each with blue distinction stitching), distant engine begin, walk-away auto lock and keyless entry/push-start ignition.
Additionally on, computerized air-conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto assist, Siri and Android Auto voice management, 4 audio system, two USB ports, multi-angle rear-view digital camera, a Honda Good Key Card and a 4.2-inch TFT multi-info show. That’s on the SV, which rides on 16-inch 5 spoke alloys, wrapped with 215/60 profile tyres.
The RS will get extra package on prime of its exterior dress-up components. These embrace purple accent trim and purple distinction stitching on the upholstery and steering wheel, a rear seat armrest, paddle shifters and two additional audio system to bump up the rely to 6. It additionally provides on a Honda Join telemetry system, LED entrance fog lamps, auto folding facet mirrors and ups the wheels to 17-inch two-tone models, that are shod with 215/55 rubbers.
By way of security and driving help, the Honda WR-V has car stability help and hill-start help, and the SV will get 4 airbags (entrance, facet), with the RS including on facet curtain airbags to make it six.
Honda Sensing is commonplace in Thailand, with the ADAS merchandise checklist comprising collision mitigation braking (CMBS), highway departure mitigation with lane departure warning (RDM with LDW), adaptive cruise management (ACC), lane-keeping help (LKAS), lead automotive departure notification and auto high-beam. Lacking from the checklist nevertheless is the low-speed comply with perform.
Moreover, the Honda WR-V RS comes with the automaker’s LaneWatch facet digital camera system. Whereas it really works, it’s beginning to present its age when pitched in opposition to a typical blind spot warning system resembling that on the Ativa.
It stays to be seen the variety of Honda WR-V variants Honda Malaysia will introduce except for the RS. The range-topper is a given, however the opportunity of there being multiple different variant for our market (entry, mid-spec, RS) is there.
That is steered by the Indonesian E grade, which is the bottom mannequin within the republic. The model pares down the package in comparison with the bottom Thai SV. It comes with halogen headlamps (with out auto function), material seats, digital air-conditioning, a MID instrument show and omits the walk-away auto lock perform, amongst different issues. Will we get greater than two variants? It’s nonetheless unknown if we’ll get low- and mid-spec variants, however we’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
Loads of conventional vibes
If the dashboard seems to be acquainted, it’s, nearly lifted wholesale from the second-gen Amaze sedan and second-gen BR-V. Visually, the cabin seems to be nice and up to date at first look, however there’s fairly a little bit of a standard construction about issues upon nearer inspection.
For one, there’s the instrument cluster, which stays analogue in its readouts save for the 4.2-inch TFT display screen housed in the midst of the binnacle. Nothing incorrect with that when it comes to legibility, however the extra tech-oriented will level to digital absolutely being the way in which ahead at the moment, as within the case of the Ativa.
The Honda WR-V’s parking brake stays mechanical, and the gearshift lever – and accompanying console – additionally options an old-school vibe. It really works properly sufficient, though a minor gripe is that its attain place sits a bit on the low facet.
As for the plastics, there’s numerous exhausting surfaces, even at key contact factors, which takes among the shine off the package deal. It’s apparent that a lot of it’s the results of having to work in the direction of a value level (key in a market resembling Indonesia) and never as a result of it might probably’t be made extra premium – to wit, you solely have to have a look at the Civic FE.
Some components hit properly above the section although, just like the illuminated courtesy mirrors on the solar visors. Obtainable solely on the RS trim, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if that makes it on to the Malaysian-spec mannequin. That it’s on a WR-V is shocking, when you think about that one thing just like the fifth-gen CR-V doesn’t include it. It could sound like a small factor, however I’m positive that many a girl would argue that it isn’t.
One space the place it completely trumps the Ativa is in its infotainment system. The seven-inch Superior Show Audio touchscreen system doesn’t have the snazziest GUI, nevertheless it’s clear in use. Extra importantly, its capacity to deal with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay edges it forward of the Ativa when it comes to performance. Couple that to an audio system that’s merely miles forward of the Perodua’s low-fidelity set-up, and it isn’t even a contest.
Of seating, area notion and different associated areas
Consistent with the dimensions of the cabin, the entrance seats aren’t all that giant – they seat properly sufficient, albeit with moderately aggressive lumbar assist, however sacrifice thigh assist to supply improved entry for leg ingress. Within the curiosity of offering usable knee room for rear occupants, additionally they don’t slide again so far as a tall driver – or entrance passenger – might like.
Rear occupant area is respectable, however naturally not on the ranges seen in bigger Honda fashions, wherein cavernous area is all the time touted as a plus level. Within the case of the Honda WR-V, it’s what it’s, an A-segment/small-B providing, and it exhibits. Massive body occupants can nonetheless slot in with ample headroom, as seen within the picture above, and when you’re of a smaller disposition then you definitely’ll undoubtedly get some area to play with. By way of headroom, the taller Ativa inches the win, area notion undoubtedly aided by lighter colored headlining.
Elbow-to-elbow distance room is marginally higher than that within the Perodua, however the added width of the WR-V additionally interprets to the absence of 1 anomaly I discover moderately irritating within the Ativa, that of the seat belt buckle clearance in relation to the outer facet of the entrance seats.
On the Perodua, there’s little or no clearance between the B-pillar trim and the perimeters of the seat, and so when the belt is retracted again after use, the buckle can get caught in between the seat and trim, clunking about when the automotive is on the transfer, which is often the case with the passenger facet unit. The extra width on the Honda means the buckle goes again in place with out catching wrongly. Small win, positive, however there it’s.
Nevertheless, the Honda WR-V has its personal peculiarities. Those that discover storage on seat backs a helpful factor, take notice that you simply’ll solely have one storage flap on the Honda, on the entrance passenger seat (Ativa has on each entrance seats). Elsewhere, rear occupants needing to cost their cell gadgets must use a 12V USB adapter, as a result of the WR-V solely has two USB ports, positioned within the entrance. With 4 slots (two entrance, two rear), the Perodua is forward on the USB rely.
Lastly, boot area. With 380 litres obtainable, the WR-V has 11 litres more room than the Ativa, which presents 369 litres of usable area with its deck set on the decrease tier place (303 litres with the panel in higher tier). Now, whereas there’s technically a bit extra cupboard space within the WR-V, it’s not prone to be discernible in precise use.
The extra pertinent query is how one will cover the contents within the Honda’s boot from prying eyes. That’s as a result of it has no privateness cowl/display screen, or perhaps a provision for one. The place the Ativa has inserts on the rear trim for its foldable display screen, there’s no such cutout on the WR-V. Adopting the HR-V’s strategy of integrating its detachable display screen into the tailgate would remedy the difficulty, however there didn’t look to be any mounting factors for such an answer.
As a result of they had been so closely tinted, it wasn’t apparent at first on the Thai evaluators, however you possibly can think about the peek-a-boo video games in any other case. Turning your rear display screen right into a panel van through tint movie might not be everybody’s thought of enjoyable, however until a repair for this pops up, it may very well be the one approach to preserve storage privateness. In accordance with Honda Malaysia, they’re trying into it, so an answer may very well be in place by the point the Honda WR-V is launched in Malaysia.
Out on the highway
In each Indonesia and Thailand, the Honda WR-V is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC engine with i-VTEC providing 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, and in order that’s the mill we’ll be getting too. The L15ZF is acquainted, being the identical as discovered within the Metropolis and entry-level HR-V and, like in these functions, is partnered with a CVT right here.
As such, the behavioural response from the powertrain is just about the identical. The engine is sort of tractable inside a metropolis surroundings, and will get the job finished neatly when you’re not trying to maneuver about in hurried style. Ground the pedal and engine – and CVT – responds with a wall of noise, however not a lot when it comes to outright acceleration.
To count on blistering off-the-mark tempo is lacking the purpose with this one, as a result of the Ativa can be just about the identical in that regard, regardless of the WR-V carrying a bit extra weight. The RS variant suggestions the scales at 1,143 kg, 108 kg greater than the Ativa, which weighs in at 1,035 kg.
Ativa homeowners will probably be conversant in the raucous zing coming off the 98 PS and 140 Nm three-pot turbo when it’s requested to shove, with little or no tempo to be gained from such motion. With extra smart enter to throttle, each mills reply in additional ample style. There’s just one benefit the Perodua has, and that’s in its motion from low to intermediate speeds, which feels sprightlier in response with the utmost torque being obtainable earlier down the rev vary.
At increased speeds, the Honda WR-V is steady and composed, monitoring with restricted want for minute steering correction. There’s a little bit of highway noise, primarily coming off the tyres and extra noticeable within the rear part of the car, however that is on the increased finish of the velocity spectrum. If something, I felt it to be as quiet because the Ativa (itself not a library at increased speeds) at intermediate speeds. It’ll be attention-grabbing to find out 50/80/110 km/h SPL ranges in relation to the Ativa when the prospect comes, if solely to reply that curiousity.
As for dealing with, there was little or no probability to attempt that out on the drive, with the route from Bangkok to Pattaya involving carriageways and nearly no B-roads, so the query of how properly it drives away from a straight line must be answered later when the automotive will get right here. The steering responds properly to enter, though it doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of really feel.
By way of suspension, the first experience is clear, aiding to the steadiness talked about earlier, and in an city surroundings the low velocity secondary experience does very properly. It will possibly get caught out by some ruts, however on the entire its setup is much much less reactive than the Ativa, which may get jarring at occasions. After all, a lot of what we had been experiencing may very well be as a result of higher high quality of Thai highway surfaces, however I consider that when it comes to low velocity experience sophistication, the Honda seems to be to be properly forward.
Lastly, a fast point out about gasoline consumption, though nobody was actually driving the Honda WR-V economically for essentially the most half. On a three-driver rotation, we managed 12.3 km per litre on the primary day with some exhausting driving, and this climbed to 14.4 km per litre on the second day.
How does it measure up?
Primarily based on the early sampling, the second-gen Honda WR-V ought to discover loads of takers available in the market for a compact SUV from the model. Granted, the aspect of working to a value level is clear in some areas, however the automotive performs properly, has sufficient package and its exterior styling has loads of enchantment, actually sufficient to tick the fitting containers for its meant viewers, which is youthful and never needing to haul a lot of occupants at a go.
To reply the query of it in opposition to the Ativa, properly, neither car has an absolute benefit over the opposite from a product or efficiency viewpoint, although it does go to indicate what nice worth the Ativa is. Finally, pricing will decide how simply how properly the WR-V does commercially.
In Indonesia, pricing for the Honda WR-V ranges from RM80k for the E to RM90k for the RS, whereas in Thailand, the SV goes for about RM106k and the RS for round RM115k below present alternate charges. Whereas HMSB didn’t need to formally interact on that exact matter, indications are that the WR-V will probably be priced someplace alongside the traces of the Metropolis/Metropolis Hatchback, which might put it within the RM90k plus area for starters.
This could counsel that the RS will edge nearer in the direction of the entry-level HR-V when it comes to value, denting earlier ideas that the WR-V might probably be simply round RM10k greater than the Ativa. Nevertheless, the introduction of a base third spec might push pricing again in the direction of that, in order that side can’t be discounted. Nonetheless, regardless of the premium, you get the sensation that there will probably be loads of adopters, particularly among the many Bangsa H crowd and people for which a Perodua badge has little or no enchantment.
GALLERY: 2033 Honda WR-V RS, Thailand-spec
GALLERY: 2023 Honda WR-V, Thailand-spec, official pictures
