Honda WR-V launched in India – Jazz SUV from RM53k

Honda WR-V launched in India – Jazz SUV from RM53k

The Honda WR-V has been officially launched in India. While the Jazz-based “SUV” was first seen in Brazil late last year, India is the first country to manufacture and launch the new model, which is developed under the concept of “Refresh for Urban India”.

“The fast-evolving Indian market has shown strong demand for compact vehicles that are stylish, comfortable and have premium features. With the WR-V, we would like to provide joy for recreational usage and comfortable driving for daily use in the city for customers in India. We’re confident that WR-V will help to fortify our premium image,” said Yoichiro Ueno, president and CEO of Honda Cars India. Familiar name? Ueno san was formerly the head of Honda Malaysia.

The basic shape of the Jazz, and its signature line on the profile and tail lamps remain, although the latter gets an extension that that sits on the tailgate, which has rearranged elements. There’s an HR-V-style face with LED daytime running lights and position lamps, flanking halogen reflector headlamps.

Honda WR-V launched in India – Jazz SUV from RM53k

There to provide the rugged image is black plastic cladding all around the lower part of the body, including the wheelarches. Also in are silver bits on the front and rear bumper to mimic sump guards, plus roof rails. There’s an electric sunroof, too. The latter aside, it’s essentially the same buff up formula Honda used to differentiate the BR-V from the Mobilio MPV.

At 3,999 mm long and 1,734 mm wide, the WR-V is 44 mm longer and 40 mm wider than the Jazz, likely due to the body add-ons. Ground clearance is 188 mm, which is 53 mm higher than on the Jazz. Like our top spec Jazz, the WR-V rides on 16-inch wheels (gunmetal finish here), but the tyres are higher profile items.

The WR-V carries over the Jazz’s engine options, which includes a 1.2 litre SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine (90 PS/110 Nm) and a 1.5 litre i-DTEC turbodiesel with 100 PS and 200 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm.

There’s no CVT option though – both engines come with manual transmissions, five speeds for the petrol (newly developed) and six for the oil burner. Official mileage claims in India is 17.5 km/l for the petrol and 25.5 km/l for the diesel.

In India, the WR-V will fight supermini-based SUVs such as the Volkswagen Cross Polo, Hyundai i20 Active, Toyota Etios Cross and the Punto-based Fiat Avventura. Purpose-built compact SUVs like the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza are also in its sights.

Prices in India range from 7.75 lakh (RM52,550) for the S petrol to 9.99 lakh (RM67,748) for the VX diesel. With an automatic ‘box, will this do well in ASEAN, or will it be one V too many for the on-form brand?

Our thanks to Rushlane for the pics.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • arowana on Mar 17, 2017 at 10:59 am

    the shape reminds me of Ford Ecosport.. Jazz on steroids!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Operation Manager on Mar 17, 2017 at 3:51 pm

      Really pity of Jazz owner whose get cheat bought the car >80k at bolehland, either JAZZ or not WR-V just a city-drive small b-segment car which were developed for low cost car purpose. Price purposely jack-up at Msia, under EEV incentives (tax break), both JAZZ & WR-V cost actually selling below 60k.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
    • Boring samy on Mar 18, 2017 at 12:15 am

      Boring. Same fake story again.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Autobox + safety spec, up 10k. Its just a jacked up Jazz at same price then. Oh yeah,but without the hybrid powertrain.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • karam singh on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:12 pm

      The price is wow, but is the sunroof really necessary?
      better if +safety spec rather than sunroof.
      India already a hot country.
      I think Honda is testing the market, & soon they will mass produce it in other Asean country

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
      • Price not really wow when compared to Jazz CKD here.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Mikey on Mar 17, 2017 at 3:10 pm

        The sunroof is necessary when your girlfriend ask U 2 throw some $$$ from the 1st floor of your balcony when she forget to bring $$$ for grocery. He he he.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
      • smith on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:09 pm

        Some places in India can get really cold.

        Although the price seems good on paper, in India interest rates are in the double digists along with high dp required to buy a car.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 17, 2017 at 4:24 pm

        u obviously have no idea that some parts of india are cold

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • AL Law on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:19 am

    Interesting vehicle
    Available in Malaysia???
    I

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Bring to Malaysia pls on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:20 am

    Pls bring to Malaysia, as uber car or small family who need a SUV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • justsomepissedoffdude on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:28 am

    This is the model honda malaysia should’ve thought of bringing here instead of the ugly br-v.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 15
  • totota on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:49 am

    bring it on honda malaysia, we are waiting

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Like Mazda 2 Hatchback to CX3

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • When new Freed coming?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • gravatar on Mar 17, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    jazz jumped on top of vezel & altis, then merged together

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Middle Age Driver (Member) on Mar 17, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Bring in the oil burner 6 speed Manual and i will buy immediately.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Since got HR-V why WR-V? HR-V is build on Jazz base isn’t it?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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