Opening up a brand new card doesn’t assure the draw will guarantee business success, particularly when it entails going into an unfamiliar area, however Honda Malaysia is banking on its arrival into the entry-level SUV phase giving it a successful hand.
That product is after all the second-generation WR-V, or Winsome Runabout Car, which is because of be launched right here quickly, someday within the third quarter of the 12 months. Launched final November, the DG4 marks the automaker’s entry into the small SUV sport within the area, its introduction largely led to by Honda’s want to compete within the phase in opposition to rivals such because the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky in Indonesia.
Nearer to house, it is going to go head-to-head in opposition to the Perodua Ativa, and its debut right here comes on the expense of the BR-V, which has been dropped from the native line-up. The swap away from the latter, which supplied Honda patrons a seven-seater choice, appears like a little bit of a big gamble, however the firm is hoping that the shift in focus away from the very aggressive seven-seater sport can pay dividends.
Forward of its arrival right here, Honda Malaysia supplied the possibility to pattern the WR-V in Thailand, doing so on a two-day drive from Bangkok to Pattaya. How does the second iteration of the nameplate form up?
Let’s discover out.
Sharp swimsuit
Comparisons in opposition to the Ativa are inevitable due to how each fashions sit in the identical class/class, if not in worth (extra on this later). As such, you’ll discover appropriate references all through the overview, with my observations gleaned as an Ativa proprietor, having bought an AV variant final September as a substitute for a long-serving Ford Fiesta.
First up, dimensions. The WR-V, which sits on a shortened second-gen BR-V platform, measures in at 4,060 mm lengthy, 1,780 mm vast and 1,608 mm tall, with a 2,485 mm-long wheelbase. Comparatively, the Ativa is 4,065 mm lengthy, 1,710 mm vast and 1,635 mm tall, and has a 2,525 mm-long wheelbase, making it 5 mm longer and 27 mm taller however 70 mm narrower than the Honda. Whereas the Ativa has a 40 mm longer wheelbase, its floor clearance is decrease at 200 mm in comparison with the WR-V’s 220 mm.
Though comparable in measurement, the WR-V feels the extra compact of the 2 visually, and never in a nasty method, as a result of it’s the extra vibrant trying of the duo. The WR-V’s traces works very nicely within the metallic, with the form having a great, muscular attraction about it from most angles (the rear does look a bit gentle in comparison with the entrance and sides). In case you’re not into wedge-styled faces, the RS’ entrance, with its chrome chequered grille, will look particularly sharp to the attention.
On this regard, the youthful crowd is sure to be taken by the sporty depiction, which additionally contains a Volvo-esque C-pillar circulate, definitely extra so than if the design pitch had been styled alongside the traces of the just lately introduced Elevate, which uncannily resembles the Perodua in sure design areas.
The evaluators in Thailand had been all RS variants, with three exterior colors obtainable for the 5 models that had been in service. Of the shades, the two-tone Ignite Pink Metallic with black roof – distinctive to the RS – arguably reveals the SUV off finest, however the Stellar Diamond Pearl isn’t far behind. Oh, a phrase concerning the roof rails – they’re good and add aptitude to the presentation, however are merely ornamental plastic models to boost the aesthetics.
Package and specs
A fast recap of the trims and package obtainable for the SUV in Thailand and Indonesia. The factor to notice is that whereas they differ considerably when it comes to gear specification, the automobiles bought in each markets are assembled in Indonesia by PT Honda Prospect Motor. After all, our WR-V can be assembled right here in Melaka.
Customary gear on the WR-V in Thailand embrace automated LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights with sequential flip alerts, physique colored door handles, black artificial leather-based/material mixture seat upholstery and leather-based steering wheel (each with blue distinction stitching), distant engine begin, walk-away auto lock and keyless entry/push-start ignition.
Additionally on, automated air-conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto assist, Siri and Android Auto voice management, 4 audio system, two USB ports, multi-angle rear-view digital camera, a Honda Sensible Key Card and a 4.2-inch TFT multi-info show. That’s on the SV, which rides on 16-inch 5 spoke alloys, wrapped with 215/60 profile tyres.
The RS will get extra package on high of its exterior dress-up parts. These embrace purple accent trim and purple distinction stitching on the upholstery and steering wheel, a rear seat armrest, paddle shifters and two further audio system to bump up the rely to 6. It additionally provides on a Honda Join telemetry system, LED entrance fog lamps, auto folding facet mirrors and ups the wheels to 17-inch two-tone models, that are shod with 215/55 rubbers.
By way of security and driving help, there’s car stability help and hill-start help, and the SV will get 4 airbags (entrance, facet), with the RS including on facet curtain airbags to make it six.
Honda Sensing is commonplace in Thailand, with the ADAS merchandise checklist comprising collision mitigation braking (CMBS), highway departure mitigation with lane departure warning (RDM with LDW), adaptive cruise management (ACC), lane-keeping help (LKAS), lead automotive departure notification and auto high-beam. Lacking from the checklist nevertheless is the low-speed comply with operate.
Moreover, the RS comes with the automaker’s LaneWatch facet digital camera system. Whereas it really works, it’s beginning to present its age when pitched in opposition to a typical blind spot warning system similar to that on the Ativa.
It stays to be seen the variety of WR-V variants Honda Malaysia will introduce other than the RS. The range-topper is a given, however the potential of there being multiple different variant for our market (entry, mid-spec, RS) is there.
That is instructed by the Indonesian E grade, which is the bottom mannequin within the republic. The model pares down the package in comparison with the bottom Thai SV. It comes with halogen headlamps (with out auto characteristic), material seats, digital air-conditioning, a MID instrument show and omits the walk-away auto lock operate, amongst different issues. Will we get greater than two variants? It’s nonetheless unknown if we’ll get low- and mid-spec variants, however we’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
Loads of conventional vibes
If the dashboard appears to be like acquainted, it’s, virtually lifted wholesale from the second-gen Amaze sedan and second-gen BR-V. Visually, the cabin appears to be like nice and modern at first look, however there’s fairly a little bit of a conventional construction about issues upon nearer inspection.
For one, there’s the instrument cluster, which stays analogue in its readouts save for the 4.2-inch TFT display housed in the course of the binnacle. Nothing fallacious with that when it comes to legibility, however the extra tech-oriented will level to digital absolutely being the best way ahead these days, as within the case of the Ativa.
The parking brake stays mechanical, and the gearshift lever – and accompanying console – additionally options an old-school vibe. It really works nicely sufficient, though a minor gripe is that its attain place sits a bit on the low facet.
As for the plastics, there’s numerous onerous surfaces, even at key contact factors, which takes among the shine off the bundle. It’s apparent that a lot of it’s the results of having to work in direction of a worth level (key in a market similar to Indonesia) and never as a result of it could actually’t be made extra premium – to wit, you solely have to take a look at the Civic FE.
Some parts hit nicely above the phase although, just like the illuminated courtesy mirrors on the solar visors. Accessible solely on the RS trim, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if that makes it on to the Malaysian-spec mannequin. That it’s on a WR-V is shocking, when you think about that one thing just like the fifth-gen CR-V doesn’t include it. It might sound like a small factor, however I’m certain that many a girl would argue that it’s not.
One space the place it completely trumps the Ativa is in its infotainment system. The seven-inch Superior Show Audio touchscreen system doesn’t have the snazziest GUI, but it surely’s clear in use. Extra importantly, its potential to deal with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay edges it forward of the Ativa when it comes to performance. Couple that to an audio system that’s merely miles forward of the Perodua’s low-fidelity set-up, and it isn’t even a contest.
Of seating, house notion and different associated areas
Consistent with the dimensions of the cabin, the entrance seats aren’t all that enormous – they seat nicely sufficient, albeit with moderately aggressive lumbar assist, however sacrifice thigh assist to supply improved entry for leg ingress. Within the curiosity of offering usable knee room for rear occupants, additionally they don’t slide again so far as a tall driver – or entrance passenger – could like.
Rear occupant house is respectable, however naturally not on the ranges seen in bigger Honda fashions, through which cavernous house is at all times touted as a plus level. Within the case of the WR-V, it’s what it’s, an A-segment/small-B providing, and it reveals. Giant body occupants can nonetheless slot in with sufficient headroom, as seen within the photograph above, and if you happen to’re of a smaller disposition you then’ll positively get some house to play with. By way of headroom, the taller Ativa inches the win, house notion undoubtedly aided by lighter colored headlining.
Elbow-to-elbow distance room is marginally higher than that within the Perodua, however the added width of the WR-V additionally interprets to the absence of 1 anomaly I discover moderately irritating within the Ativa, that of the seat belt buckle clearance in relation to the outer facet of the entrance seats.
On the Perodua, there’s little or no clearance between the B-pillar trim and the perimeters of the seat, and so when the belt is retracted again after use, the buckle can get caught in between the seat and trim, clunking about when the automotive is on the transfer, which is normally the case with the passenger facet unit. The extra width on the Honda means the buckle goes again in place with out catching wrongly. Small win, certain, however there it’s.
Nonetheless, the WR-V has its personal peculiarities. Those that discover storage on seat backs a helpful factor, take observe that you simply’ll solely have one storage flap on the Honda, on the entrance passenger seat (Ativa has on each entrance seats). Elsewhere, rear occupants needing to cost their cell units must use a 12V USB adapter, as a result of the WR-V solely has two USB ports, situated within the entrance. With 4 slots (two entrance, two rear), the Perodua is forward on the USB rely.
Lastly, boot house. With 380 litres obtainable, the WR-V has 11 litres extra space than the Ativa, which presents 369 litres of usable house with its deck set on the decrease tier place (303 litres with the panel in higher tier). Now, whereas there’s technically a bit extra cupboard space within the WR-V, it’s not prone to be discernible in precise use.
The extra pertinent query is how one will cover the contents within the Honda’s boot from prying eyes. That’s as a result of it has no privateness cowl/display, or perhaps a provision for one. The place the Ativa has inserts on the rear trim for its foldable display, there’s no such cutout on the WR-V. Adopting the HR-V’s method of integrating its detachable display into the tailgate would clear up the problem, however there didn’t look to be any mounting factors for such an answer.
As a result of they had been so closely tinted, it wasn’t apparent at first on the Thai evaluators, however you’ll be able to think about the peek-a-boo video games in any other case. Turning your rear display right into a panel van through tint movie will not be everybody’s thought of enjoyable, however except a repair for this pops up, it might be the one method to preserve storage privateness. In response to HMSB, they’re trying into it, so an answer might be in place by the point the WR-V is launched.
Out on the highway
In each Indonesia and Thailand, the WR-V is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC engine with i-VTEC providing 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, and in order that’s the mill we’ll be getting too. The L15ZF is acquainted, being the identical as discovered within the Metropolis and entry-level HR-V and, like in these purposes, is partnered with a CVT right here.
As such, the behavioural response from the powertrain is just about the identical. The engine is kind of tractable inside a metropolis setting, and will get the job completed neatly if you happen to’re not trying to maneuver about in hurried style. Flooring the pedal and engine – and CVT – responds with a wall of noise, however not a lot when it comes to outright acceleration.
To anticipate blistering off-the-mark tempo is lacking the purpose with this one, as a result of the Ativa can also be just about the identical in that regard, regardless of the WR-V carrying a bit extra weight. The RS variant ideas the scales at 1,143 kg, 108 kg greater than the Ativa, which weighs in at 1,035 kg.
Ativa house owners can be aware of the raucous zing coming off the 98 PS and 140 Nm three-pot turbo when it’s requested to shove, with little or no tempo to be gained from such motion. With extra smart enter to throttle, each mills reply in additional sufficient style. There’s just one benefit the Perodua has, and that’s in its motion from low to intermediate speeds, which feels sprightlier in response with the utmost torque being obtainable earlier down the rev vary.
At larger speeds, the WR-V is secure and composed, monitoring with restricted want for minute steering correction. There’s a little bit of highway noise, primarily coming off the tyres and extra noticeable within the rear part of the car, however that is on the larger finish of the pace spectrum. If something, I felt it to be as quiet because the Ativa (itself not a library at larger speeds) at intermediate speeds. It’ll be attention-grabbing to find out 50/80/110 km/h SPL ranges in relation to the Ativa when the possibility comes, if solely to reply that curiousity.
As for dealing with, there was little or no probability to attempt that out on the drive, with the route from Bangkok to Pattaya involving carriageways and nearly no B-roads, so the query of how nicely it drives away from a straight line must be answered later when the automotive will get right here. The steering responds nicely to enter, though it doesn’t have a lot in the best way of really feel.
By way of suspension, the first journey is clear, aiding to the soundness talked about earlier, and in an city setting the low pace secondary journey does very nicely. It might get caught out by some ruts, however on the entire its setup is much much less reactive than the Ativa, which might get jarring at occasions. After all, a lot of what we had been experiencing might be because of the higher high quality of Thai highway surfaces, however I imagine that when it comes to low pace journey sophistication, the Honda appears to be like to be nicely forward.
Lastly, a fast point out about gasoline consumption, despite the fact that nobody was actually driving the WR-V economically for essentially the most half. On a three-driver rotation, we managed 12.3 km per litre on the primary day with some onerous driving, and this climbed to 14.4 km per litre on the second day.
How does it measure up?
Based mostly on the early sampling, the second-gen WR-V ought to discover loads of takers available in the market for a compact SUV from the model. Granted, the ingredient of working to a worth level is clear in some areas, however the automotive performs nicely, has sufficient package and its exterior styling has loads of attraction, definitely sufficient to tick the suitable bins for its supposed viewers, which is youthful and never needing to haul a lot of occupants at a go.
To reply the query of it in opposition to the Ativa, nicely, neither car has an absolute benefit over the opposite from a product or efficiency viewpoint, although it does go to indicate what nice worth the Ativa is. Finally, pricing will decide how simply how nicely the WR-V does commercially.
In Indonesia, pricing for the WR-V ranges from RM80k for the E to RM90k for the RS, whereas in Thailand, the SV goes for about RM106k and the RS for round RM115k underneath present change charges. Whereas HMSB didn’t need to formally have interaction on that specific subject, indications are that the WR-V can be priced someplace alongside the traces of the Metropolis/Metropolis Hatchback, which might put it within the RM90k plus area for starters.
This may recommend that the RS will edge nearer in direction of the entry-level HR-V when it comes to worth, denting earlier options that the WR-V may presumably be simply round RM10k greater than the Ativa. Nonetheless, the introduction of a base third spec may push pricing again in direction of that, in order that side can’t be discounted. Nonetheless, regardless of the premium, you get the sensation that there can be loads of adopters, particularly among the many Bangsa H crowd and people for which a Perodua badge has little or no attraction.
GALLERY: 2033 Honda WR-V RS, Thailand-spec
GALLERY: 2023 Honda WR-V, Thailand-spec, official photographs
