By now, you would have heard about the new Honda WR-V, especially if you’re a regular here. The compact SUV made its world debut in Indonesia this week and production will start in that country next month, with exports penned for 2023. Will Honda’s junior SUV come to Malaysia in the future?
It’s an interesting prospect, the WR-V, an in-trend bodystyle wearing a badge that’s very strong in Malaysia. The new SUV sits below the B-segment HR-V in size and price, and in Indonesia, it will take on the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize twins, which are of course sisters of our Perodua Ativa.
The WR-V is 4,060 mm long and 1,780 mm wide, which is 5 mm shorter than the Ativa but 70 mm wider. At 1,608 mm tall, the new Honda sits 27 mm lower than the Perodua, and its 2,485 mm wheelbase is also 40 mm shorter. Ground clearance is a high 220 mm (Ativa 200 mm) and boot space is 380 litres (Ativa 369 litres). They’re both in the same A-segment/small-B ballpark.
Does an Ativa-sized Honda SUV sound appealing to you? Would it be even more appealing if we told you that the WR-V is cheaper than the City Hatchback in Indonesia?
In the republic, the top City Hatchback RS with Honda Sensing is priced at Rp.362.6 juta, which is equivalent to RM109,431. The top WR-V RS with Sensing (ADAS is usually an option variant in Indonesia) is going for Rp.309.9 juta, which translates to RM93,939. That’s around 14% cheaper.
Note that the City Hatchback RS in Indonesia is powered by a 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol engine and not the e:HEV hybrid powertrain that we get in our RS. This means that both the WR-V and City Hatchback have the exact same 1.5L NA with CVT powertrain combo, and spec levels are comparable, although the WR-V is the smaller car.
We’ve always said that generally, it’s challenging for non-national brands to introduce entry-level models in our market and be competitive with national rivals in terms of specs/price. That’s because of market leader Perodua’s high specs (much better than entry-level cars in Thailand and Indonesia) combined with the price advantage of national brands. The price window between the top Ativa AV (RM72,600) and base Honda HR-V (RM114,800, with the same 1.5L NA as the City/WR-V) is RM42k.
If we extrapolate the WR-V’s 14% lower price compared to the City Hatchback in Indonesia to Malaysia, where our City Hatchback V Sensing is priced at RM95,600, that would put a similarly specced WR-V at RM82,216. Conveniently, that’s around RM10k more than the top Ativa AV. We’re not using the Malaysian City Hatchback RS for this fictional exercise because it’s a hybrid.
So, would you have a Honda WR-V if it’s RM10k costlier than an Ativa? Don’t be hasty, let’s take a look at specs first.
Two variants of the WR-V are available in Indonesia – the base E rides on 16-inch five-spoke alloys with 215/60 tyres, while the RS rolls on 17-inch two-tone alloys with 215/55 rubber.
The E comes with remote engine start, push start button, a 7.0-inch touchscreen head unit, reverse camera with multi-angle view, four speakers, digital AC panel, fabric seats, steering audio buttons, LED foglamps, LED wing mirror signals, and four airbags with VSA. Also, inverted L-shaped LED signatures like on the Civic FE.
The sportier RS (it wears a chromed chequered grille like our HR-V RS and decorative roof rails) adds on LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and sequential turn signals, walk-away auto door lock, a 4.2-inch multi-info display between analogue dials, six speakers, leather-fabric combination seats, leather wrap for the steering and gear knob, auto air con, and auto folding wing mirrors.
Honda’s Sensing safety suite is not standard for the RS, which brings us to the top variant, the RS with Sensing. This range topper adds on ADAS (CMBS, RDM, ACC, LKAS, LCDN, AHB) plus LaneWatch (camera for the left wing mirror), six airbags and auto headlamps. Adding a black roof to the Ignite Red Metallic RS will cost Rp.2.5 juta (RM757).
What do you think of the WR-V’s specs and would you buy one for RM10k more than the top Ativa? The one major difference between the two small SUVs is the Perodua’s 1.0 litre turbocharged engine compared to the Honda’s traditional 1.5L NA unit.
GALLERY: Honda WR-V, Indonesia spec
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it does looks cheap..somehow ativa looks better than this
I would rather buy this instead of the Proton X50. The reason why I choose Game-Changing WR-V over X50 is because Japanese cars are reliable, have excellent quality and high RV. If buy X50 later get so many problems, RV also very low
Game changer WRV? This interior looks cheap, how to beat X50. That’s funny. Proton, yes have problems but problems are now degrading and now Honda problems are gradually higher and also spare parts have failed to deliver to the customers
Good RV can sell anytime. No problem
But poor qc with kosong specs. Buy other brands. No problem than buying honda
@COKA
Spare parts also need to wait longer to get
I mean spare parts need to wait longer if you buy honda
You’re the type that would sing praise about a bullock cart if there was a (insert brand here) badge slapped on it. Merits begone.
I would rather buy this instead of the Perodua Ativa AV
Rear design fugly like Savvy.
Sack the designer!
Crossover from Honda Amaze / Brio.
https://paultan.org/2021/08/19/2021-honda-amaze-facelift-launched-in-india/
That’s why interior design is failure and can’t compete with Ativa. X50 also looking much better than WRV
I rather buy Ativa than this plastic car
Good for you bro… if you think this is made by Tamiya. Good luck finding a kit Ativa.
Last time I sat in an Ativa, I believe the level of plastic is the same la.
Yes, because you are perodua haters. If you try honda, you will find something opposite that perodua is something better than Honda
in a heartbeat! hahaha
10k for a proper 4 cylinder engine and nicer interior and bugging eco idle being removed, ya. But city hatchback E already rm86.6k, it won’t be rm82k but atleast 88k.
Don’t have senget dashboard like City anymore.
But interior outdated
that weirdly positioned and protrude aircond vent at top middle of dashboard looks like the 2008-Avanza
https://paultan.org/2008/10/14/toyota-gives-the-toyota-avanza-another-facelift/
Meanwhile at Nissan…
Nothing happened
Krik krik krik
It’s 2022, why still using analog meter cluster? Ativa has a full digital meter cluster.
Habisla Ativa. P2 flop again. After Kembara, P2 got SUV jinx. Nautica, Aruz, Ativa.
WRV already low spec. Even if come here, also poor qc. How to habislah Ativa. Habislah WRV itself
no low speed follow for traffic jams. so no.
Well, technology and interior is more like old century and can’t improve
Mr PC..u r damn right.
The top aircon vents r weird,looks like a UFO.
If u intend to spend close to 85K,think hard..cos everyday u r going to look at the UFO.
The 1-liter turbo with low end torque is very addictive in urban start stop traffic.
Might consider WR-V if same price range as Ativa.
But with such outdated interior…who wants to buy this WRV when Ativa gets everything
Smaller car than city hatchback? What for buying a more compact suv 80k+? Buy city sedan lah better. If Ativa got sedan version i also will buy.
NA is more reliable than turrrrboooo
The only unreliability is the poor quality parts. Steering rack also difficult to solved. Spare parts also need to wait longer
Should give 1.0T like City HB indon and Thailand lor
City drive low rpm full torque, more relax.
Interior like the old century design
If this is cheaper than the City Hatchback, I would put my money on the WRV. Overall similar in size and spec but 14% cheaper? Quite obvious, which one to go for although I’m not in the market for either.
I’m rather curious with all you Honda haters… what will you do if your wife or girlfriend insist on getting a Honda. What will you do? Divorce or dump her? Or refuse to sit in her car thereafter? :-D
Because honda fanboys have been hating so much to other brands, just because honda fanboys are very jealous as usual that other brands have been progressing much. If safety doesn’t improve and also spare parts, aftersales, design and others doesn’t improve, then what’s the point of buying Honda again.
No matter how good honda is, better don’t buy honda. Steering rack also can’t solved
The targeted market is clear, its for youngster, a young family and or a first time buyer, a proper 1.5 NA in a small car, proper 4 sylinder, better HP and torque compared to underpowered ativa’s less than 100HP and 3 syl (like, really dude?) yes 3syl for non performance car, at least give us a proper 4 sylinder! With that measure wrv sure can cruising good at highways and for all the hates, honda known for its fun to drive. Interior is debatable but exterior is deffo WR-V for me, look slick and sportier than ativa, higher ground clearance too. Its rare for Honda to positioning their car price on par with competitor but this car with all them amenities and toys is sure at this price tag is a worth to buy item. At the end, more choice of cars a better competition, its us who got the benefit.
The Honda CVT not that responsive, rev hard for vtec kick in both engine and cvt also noisy.
Honda only sell 1,5L engine series at Malaysia anyway, no more other choice.
But as long as Highway driving with ACC, No need rev, drive relax follow safer car distance and speed. No need boring pedalling. Pedalling only fun for Sepang Circuit.
They has 1,0Turbo for City for Indon and Thailand.
Honda City/hb @ indonesia and Thailand seems to struggle to be Game Changer, but still sell better than Almera 1.0T.
1.5 L didnt mean to take over at highways, but with 121 PS and small body, the power to weight ratio is better than most MPV or small SUV A&B segment. In fact its, so far the most powerful engine on our market for small SUV segment class. Most Honda Cars on the market is prestige pricing, you name it. but wrv is like it or not quite a value for money. Maybe its because this WRV facing stiff competition from duo Rocky & raize, Nissan magnite, Renault kiger, KIA Sonet, Citroen c3 in small SUV segment in Indon. Thats why i said more choices, better competition. Car buyer happy.
At least Honda doesn’t downgraded the engine by having lower power for the all new car.
X50 Volvo i& Geely influenced with Malaysian design inputs
But value for money, how can Honda compete against Msian cars ( x50 or Ativa
Why are you shying away from providing the basic performance specs . . ?!!!?
Common guys(gals) . .
Jack
Those who compare Honda to Proton is totally our of line. Honestly my son literally jump out of the Proton brand as soon as he discover all the X factors from service centre and the product itself. By the way Toyota and Honda are the top brands that is highly rated for after sales service and mechanical running reliability. On this premise alone I guess I will choose either one Ativa or WRV. Both is good but of course in terms of brand positioning Honda ask extra 10k gives you the right to snob a little over the Perodua/Toyota. Cheers.
Good luck in buying Honda. Honda is problematic car so better don’t buy. Honda quality is already deteriorating and also no parts. Honda aftersales service is useless. There aren’t any differences between honda and proton. Both have same quality but proton is better at least (City hatchback 2021 owner)
If you think Proton is bad…. perodua is worse.
Spec wise, it looks pretty solid and can challenge the AV Ativa.
Real issue wise, the Ativa and Perodua does not have a serious issue with build and quality control. Problem is Honda Malaysia and their build and quality control, especially from the new HRV and City/Hatchback. Ofcourse that’s not a real deterrent for real Honda fans but something to look into.
No more honda for me. First time bought honda & regret buying cash to repair problematic quality parts Honda aftersales service is useless. My 2021 city hatchback not solved even just bought after a week in January 2022
WR-V will be the HONDA’s most popular compact baby SUV = HONDA’s SUZUKI SJ413 Jimny which is still most sellable vehicle even now. Cute looking and elegant and luckily it’s side mirrors are not fitted to the door panel otherwise it will look like 1960s UK Morris Minor(A fly in the ointment) spoilt the overall shape. Really thanks God.
Bring it on. Replace the BRV. At least we have more better options for the small SUV.
Civilised, open minded citizens would comment fairly, objectively without blind loyalty to a brand. Any good brand may have sub-par products.