A mystery Honda SUV, expected to be called Honda WR-V, will be making its world debut in Indonesia on November 2, which is a few days away. A countdown cum teaser has been released by Honda Indonesia and it shows the side profile of the WR-V, with the headline ‘Wheeling Soon’.
What’s this SUV all about? Honda is well-represented in the traditional B and C segments of the SUV market, with benchmark models such as the HR-V and CR-V. Below the HR-V, Honda has a sedan (City) and some hatchbacks (City Hatchback, Brio). However, people want SUVs these days, no matter in what segment or at what price point.
Enter the WR-V, which will sit below the HR-V and will provide competition to the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize, the Perodua Ativa‘s sisters in Indonesia. You see, the HR-V is a true B-segment SUV that’s relatively high up in size and price. It’s significantly larger than the Ativa/Rocky/Raize, which is, at best, a very small B.
There’s also a vacancy in India to replace the WR-V, which was basically a Jazz with some SUV-inspired styling – think Axia Style.
The WR-V isn’t a surprise because Honda released the SUV RS Concept in Indonesia late last year as a preview of such a model. That showcar looked really good, but the leaked images we saw in July (above) – if they are indeed of the production version – show a much watered down design.
The SUV RS’ “fade out” grille has been replaced by a more conventional item, with the chrome studded RS treatment seen on the new HR-V RS. There’s a chrome bar on the top of the grille, but the mystery car’s headlamps are much larger than the slim/sharp eyes of the concept. That’s only to be expected – showcar lights and wheels are usually exaggerated.
Fog lamps are needed for the actual car, so the lower side elements aren’t so minimalist. There’s a sliver skid plate-style trim but it has three notches instead of two. The nose of the car also appears to be more upright. Overall, the face is inoffensive, if a bit conventional.
The rear is a huge departure from the concept, both in shape and details. The SUV RS showcar had a steep, sloping rear screen (unrealistic for such a small car, perhaps) and full-width LED signatures, just like on the new HR-V. The so-called production car is clearly not a baby HR-V then, with more regular angles and tail lamp clusters.
Details that can be seen here are a decently sized spoiler, 3D-style tail lamps that aren’t flat, and silver trim on the diffuser area to match the front end. Also, inverted L-shaped LED signatures like on the Civic FE.
Will this come to Malaysia? A Honda SUV at Ativa prices isn’t impossible, but generally, it’s difficult for non-national brands to introduce entry-level models in our market and be competitive with national rivals in terms of specs/price. The window between the top Ativa AV (RM72,600) and base Honda HR-V 1.5L NA (RM114,800) is RM42k. We’ll see.
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Well they can follow how Perodua and Toyota priced the Alza and Veloz and people will still buy it.
This reach here, all brands can bungkus lah, same for perodua and proton, honda have made great cars but all brands are failure. Chery and proton are mostly failure cars
Jealousy honda fanboy spotted!!
If it comes here, habeslah Ativa! Edi bad sales with such high prices nobody wants to buy, WRV will put the final nail in its coffin sharing burial plot with forsake Nautica.
Then why service center, spare parts, specs, design, quality all still can’t keep up with perodua and ativa?
Jesus Christ imagine saying 70k Ativa is expensive, just how poor can one be?
The Honda that comes from Indonesia, looks much like thier BR-V.
This car reach here, all brands can bungkus lah, same for perodua and proton, honda have made great cars but all brands are failure. Chery and proton are mostly failure cars
typical honda fanboy. lol. must bash all the car brands in the world. only honda is the best. ok ok . got it, i got it that you are living under a well.
Honda fanboys always like to bash here and there because honda fanboys are so bored but to come there and here to bash
Another potential toll gate crasher, Bangsa H.
if price 80kish can consider. Why not Ativa? after seeing the car interior just no interest to own 1, summore with bunches of no use ASA thingy and force to have eco idle. I rather save 10~20k buy iriz exec than ativa.
To save money, you better buy 2nd hand Iriz
It’s 2nd hand is very cheap
I have a GM6 and a new Axia. I’m planning to trade my GM6 for the new Civic FE. But now, I think I’m gonna trade my Axia for this, since driving an Axia is tiring for its heavy steering and sluggish transmision, and behold, it guzzles more fuel than GM6.. No wonder the turbo model in Ativa is even worse!