2023 Honda WR-V seen testing in Malaysia – compact SUV that rivals the Perodua Ativa to be launched here?

2023 Honda WR-V seen testing in Malaysia – compact SUV that rivals the Perodua Ativa to be launched here?

The second-generation Honda WR-V first made its debut in Indonesia as a rival to the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize, which are the sister models to our own Perodua Ativa. Retailing from 279.4 million to 317.4 million rupiah (RM81,706 to RM92,819), the WR-V slots under the B-segment HR-V and is actually cheaper the City Hatchback that is priced in Indonesia from 343.6 million to 373.6 million rupiah (RM100,481 to RM109,254).

It has been rumoured that the WR-V will be sold in Malaysia, and it looks like this might become a reality based on these photos of a camouflaged example sent to us by paultan.org reader Fareez AB.

Seen here wearing trade plates that are a few digits off past ones we’ve seen, the sighted vehicle does have the same general shape as the WR-V. While a lot of the car is under wraps (and the viewing angles are limited), we can roughly make out part of the 3D-style, L-shaped taillights as well.

In Indonesia, the WR-V is offered with a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder DOHC engine with i-VTEC rated at 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm – a CVT sends drive to the front wheels. This setup is identical to the one used by City Hatchback RS in Indonesia.

Available equipment for the WR-V include 17-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting (headlamps, taillights, DRLs and fog lamps), a multi-angle view reverse camera, keyless entry, keyless and remote engine start, a 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display, a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen, six speakers, automatic air-conditioning, leather/fabric combination upholstery, six airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist.

The range-topping variant sold there is the only one with Honda Sensing driver assistance systems, which include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, lead car departure alert and auto high beam. This version of the WR-V has earned it a five-star safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries).

Occupying the A-segment/small B-segment, the WR-V measures 4,060 mm long, 1,780 mm wide, 1,608 mm tall and features a wheelbase of 2,485 mm. By comparison, the Ativa is 4,065 mm long, 1,710 mm wide, 1,635 mm tall and its wheelbase spans 2,525 mm.

We compared both the WR-V and Ativa in an earlier post which is certainly worth checking out. For now, Honda Malaysia has yet to confirm if and when the WR-V will be offered to car buyers here. Are you hoping for it be? Would you pay the premium over a top-spec Ativa for it?

GALLERY: Honda WR-V (Indonesia market)

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Honda engineer on Mar 08, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Weird looking car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 10
    • Celup King on Mar 08, 2023 at 1:05 pm

      If this comes in at Ativa prices, habeslah P2!
      If this car is forced to sell at higher prices then janji Anwar to lower car prices got capatied, habeslah Anwar!
      And if P2 loses business and close down, then habeslah Anwar!
      No matter what Anwar is dead PM walking.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 34
      • Brian on Mar 08, 2023 at 5:02 pm

        X50 may need to worry,
        This one more fuel saving and should be cheaper to get AEB and ACC.

        But no turbo, need rev to kick vtec higher rpm with rubber cvt to do daily relaxing pickup and damansara slope drive.

        But ppl don’t want a BR-V / Amaze India dashboard, altough neither is the City dashboard looking good. Cheaper but got Honda, better than Proton.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
      • high on weed??

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Henry HOONG CHOR SIH on Mar 08, 2023 at 4:09 pm

      Dumping ground for low budget/ ugly car?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Saiful on Mar 08, 2023 at 11:31 am

    Itu Axia celup

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
  • ok. will start saving now

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
  • Pyraxle on Mar 08, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    Went to car market survey back in dec 22′ for this WRV. Got 2 spec there, low and high RS. Completely undisguised only the H logo is covered, i think they brought in the indo spec in that survey cause its quite identical. The interior is same like BRV, even the steering is the same old one. Hopefully they would change it for our market. I love the RS! Got sequential signal, led foggies & black roof interior. The feedback is good so let’s see

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • Jambu on Mar 08, 2023 at 5:11 pm

    Looks like Suzuki SX4 replacement model. Dulu CBU Japan RM91,888
    Now CBU indonesia or CKD Malaysia?

    https://paultan.org/2012/07/31/suzuki-sx4-gets-a-new-face-cbu-japan-rm91888/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • few salesman already open booking for WRV, estimated price range around/ in between city hatchback prices.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • HL Loh on Mar 09, 2023 at 12:50 pm

    WR-V available for viewing at roadshow @ Paradigm Mall JB.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Eric Tan on Mar 11, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    Yes, I would trade my Ativa AV for WR-V. I prefer Honda road handling and their braking system which is more fine tuned and responsive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Noname on Mar 12, 2023 at 12:14 pm

      It loses a lot, even though the wrv handling is better, but the ativa has a lot of advantages, there is a blind spot, the interior is quite luxurious, a lot of safety, digital meter and more. even though the wrv is good, it has a side camera and android auto, apple car play, but the upcoming ativa facelift must be even better and many things can be included, for example, electric parking handbrake, many more, like the new alza, if you can get it because foreign countries have already got it if you can you wait for the ativa facelift or if you really want wrv but it’s okay because I don’t force it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Anbalagan on Mar 26, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    WRV.. Small n better 2 drive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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