Verdict
The Honda WR-V is the sharper five-seat choice: its 1.5-litre petrol engine makes 121 hp and 145 Nm against the Avanza’s 103 hp and 136 Nm, while Honda Sensing brings autonomous braking and steering correction. Its 380-litre boot is a known quantity too. But the Toyota Avanza answers a different family brief, with seven seats, a 2,655-mm wheelbase and rear air-con blower. Its 45-litre tank also exceeds the WR-V’s 40 litres. Choose by passenger count first; the safety and performance advantage is Honda’s.
Pick the Honda WR-V if you need five seats, 121 hp and Honda Sensing with autonomous braking.
Pick the Toyota Avanza if seven seats, a longer 2,655-mm wheelbase and rear air-con matter more than performance.
Key differences
- Price: Honda WR-V RM89,900; Toyota Avanza RM80,888.
- Output: Honda WR-V 121 hp and 145 Nm; Toyota Avanza 103 hp and 136 Nm.
- Seating: Honda WR-V five seats; Toyota Avanza seven seats.
- Wheelbase: Honda WR-V 2,485 mm; Toyota Avanza 2,655 mm.
- Safety: Honda WR-V has four airbags and Honda Sensing; Toyota Avanza has two airbags and no autonomous braking.
- Driveline: Honda WR-V front-wheel drive with CVT; Toyota Avanza rear-wheel drive with 4AT.
WR-V
- 121 hp and 145 Nm, versus 103 hp and 136 Nm.
- Honda Sensing autonomous braking and steering correction.
- Four airbags, blind-spot information and a multi-angle reverse camera.
- Costs RM9,012 more.
- Five seats versus the Avanza’s seven.
- 40-litre fuel tank versus 45 litres.
Avanza
- Seven seats with 50:50 split-folding middle and last rows.
- Rear air-con vents with blower.
- 45-litre fuel tank and full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel.
- 103 hp and 136 Nm trail the WR-V’s 121 hp and 145 Nm.
- Two airbags versus four in the WR-V.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction or reverse camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900 | RM80,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 121 hp✓ | 103 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm✓ | 136 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | 4AT |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.0 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.0 L/100 km | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,060 mm | 4,190 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Height | 1,576 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,485 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,108 kg | 1,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 380 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R16 | 185/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 185/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | 16" Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop Enasave EC300+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Live Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 50:50 Sliding and Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 7.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 2 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | LCD Instrument Cluster Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used WR-V & Avanza for sale
WR-V vs Avanza FAQ
Is the Honda WR-V or Toyota Avanza better?
The WR-V is better for a five-seat buyer prioritising power and active safety, with 121 hp, four airbags and Honda Sensing. The Avanza is better when seven seats and rear air-con are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Honda WR-V costs RM89,900 and the Toyota Avanza costs RM80,888, so the WR-V is RM9,012 more expensive.
Which one carries more passengers?
The Toyota Avanza carries seven people and has 50:50 split-folding middle and last rows. The Honda WR-V is strictly a five-seater, although it specifies a 380-litre boot.