Honda has just released a new crossover in Indonesia. Dubbed the Honda WR-V, it assumes a subcompact size that’s meant to rival the likes of the Toyota Raize, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Creta, among others.
The 2023 Honda WR-V
So what is this new Honda subcompact crossover offering prospective buyers? Let’s check it out in detail.
Exterior
The all-new 2023 Honda WR-V largely follows the same design language as the all-new BR-V and HR-V. It even has some hints from the Honda City.
From the front, it gets a detailed-looking hood flanked by LED headlamps and a pair of sharp, hook-shaped LED daytime running lights. Like the Honda City, the hood is lined with a trim piece separating it from the hood.
Front and rear of the all-new Honda WR-V
Down below is a trapezoidal lower vent with some slats, and on the sides are a pair of lamps. The chin then gets a faux-skid plate.
Towards the sides of the WR-V, one will see that its silhouette looks like a shrunken version of the Honda HR-V. A single character line runs from the tips of the headlamps clusters to the rear, and then the doors are also given a curved crease. This frames the black plastic cladding which stretches along the entire length of the vehicle.
The RS trim gets a black-colored roof
It also rides on a set of 16-inch alloy wheels. Being an RS trim, the said wheels come with a unique design. It also comes with additional niceties like power-folding side mirrors, and a blacked-out roof.
Towards the rear, it gets a pair of L-shaped LED combination taillights. Also present is an angular rear bumper, a rear wiper, a roof-mounted spoiler, a high-mount stop light, and a faux-air dam.
RS trim means RS wheels
When it comes to size, the Honda WR-V is 4,060mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,608mm in height. And despite its size, this small crossover also gets a relatively high ground clearance rated at 220mm. That ground clearance figure is one of the tallest in its class.
Interior
The 2023 Honda WR-V comes with a well-designed cabin that offers space for up to five occupants. Style-wise, it follows the current design found on other Honda models. It gets a clutter-free dashboard, plus some physical knobs for the automatic air-conditioning system.
Also present is a multi-function steering wheel that’s wrapped in leather. The seats as well as the center elbow rests are wrapped in leather with red highlight stitching. The rear seats also get a 60:40 split-fold function, and the front seats are manually adjustable.
A peek inside the WR-V's interior
Other amenities included on the WR-V are a push-to-start button, USB charging ports for the front and rear cabin, remote engine starting, as well as an ample amount of cupholders.
The trunk of this new Honda crossover can also fit up to 380 liters of cargo with the rear seats up.
Tech & Safety
Sitting on the dashboard of the 2023 Honda WR-V is a 10-inch touchscreen headunit that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety features for the Honda WR-V RS trim is then handled by Honda Sensing. This collection of driver-assist technologies includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, etc.
WR-V's cockpit
Other safety features found on the WR-V include a total of six airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, among others.
Engine & Performance
Honda said that the WR-V is based on the SUV RS concept that debuted at the 2021 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). Under the hood, the 2023 Honda WR-V is powered by the same engine found on the next-gen BR-V. As such, it is equipped with a 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine that delivers 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), sending power to the front wheels.
A closer look at the WR-V's gear shifter
Handling the suspension of the WR-V is a MacPherson strut-type for the front, and a torsion beam type suspension for the rear.
Pricing for the all-new Honda WR-V starts at Rp 271,000,000 in the Indonesian market. That’s around Php 1,000,000 at current exchange rates, and before taxes. The top-spec WR-V RS w/ Honda Sensing meanwhile, is priced at Rp 309,900,000 or around Php 1,158,000. There’s also another RS variant (without Honda Sensing) priced at Rp 289,900,000 (around Php 1,083,000).
Do you think the all-new 2023 Honda WR-V has what it takes to shake up the current subcompact crossover market? Would you like to see it reach the local market in the future?
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