Engineering:Honda WR-V

Short description: Subcompact crossover SUV

For the WR-V model sold in Japan, see Honda Elevate.

Honda WR-V
2022 WR-V RS (DG4, Indonesia)
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2017–present
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Fit Twist (Brazil)

The Honda WR-V is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Honda since 2017 and mainly sold for emerging markets. It is positioned below the HR-V/Vezel or the BR-V depending on the market where it is sold. For the first generation, it was a crossover-styled derivative of the third-generation Fit/Jazz with different front fascia and bonnet treatments. Introduced at the 2016 São Paulo International Motor Show, the first-generation WR-V was built and specifically sold for the South American and Indian market. The second-generation model introduced in Indonesia in 2022 is based on the shortened second-generation BR-V's platform (also shared with the second-generation Amaze).

According to Honda, the name WR-V stands for Winsome Runabout Vehicle.

First generation (GL; 2017)

First generation
2018 WR-V 1.5 LX (GL; pre-facelift, Chile)
Overview
Production	2017–2023
Assembly	India: Tapukara, Rajasthan (HCIL) Brazil: Sumaré (Honda Automóveis do Brasil)
Body and chassis
Platform	Honda Global Small Car
Related	Honda Fit/Jazz (third generation) Honda City/Ballade (sixth generation) Honda Vezel/HR-V (second generation)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.2 L L12B i-VTEC I4 (India) 1.5 L L15A7 i-VTEC I4 (Brazil) Diesel: 1.5 L N15A1 i-DTEC turbo I4 (GL2; India)
Power output	66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS) (L12B) 88 kW (118 hp; 120 PS) (L15A7) 74 kW (99 hp; 100 PS) (N15A1)
Transmission	5-speed manual (petrol) 6-speed manual (diesel) CVT (Brazil)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4,000–4,068 mm (157.5–160.2 in)
Width	1,695–1,740 mm (66.7–68.5 in)
Height	1,600 mm (63.0 in)
uk|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight	1,130 kg (2,491 lb)

The first-generation WR-V was launched in Brazil on 15 March 2017 and India on 16 March. It was the first model developed by Honda Research & Development Center of Brazil in collaboration with Honda Research & Development Center of Japan, while keeping the requirements and preferences of the young Brazilian and Indian customers in mind. According to Honda, the WR-V "is endowed with a sporty, stylish and aggressive design language".

The first-generation WR-V shared many of its parts and features with the Fit/Jazz, including the body shell, doors, dashboard and the instrument panel. The ground clearance was measured at 188 mm (7.4 in).

The model received a facelift in 2020, first launched in India and then in South America.

In 2022, sales ended in Brazil. Production continued for export.

Powertrains

In India, the first-generation WR-V was available in both petrol and diesel engine options that were shared with the Jazz. The petrol unit is a 1.2-litre L12B i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that produced 66 kW (89 hp; 90 PS) and 110 N⋅m (81 lbf⋅ft) of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission, while the diesel unit is a turbocharged 1.5-litre N15A1 i-DTEC four-cylinder engine that produced 74 kW (99 hp; 100 PS) and 200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft) of torque, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. In Brazil, it was powered by a larger 1.5-litre L15A7 i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that was also shared with the Fit.

Gallery

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  Rear view (pre-facelift)

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  2020–2022 WR-V (facelift)

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  Rear view (facelift)

Safety

The first-generation WR-V in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags, UN127 pedestrian safety standard and ESC received a 1-star safety rating from Latin NCAP in 2022 (similar to 2014 Euro NCAP rating systems).

Second generation (DG4; 2022)

Second generation
2022 WR-V RS (Indonesia)
Overview
Production	December 2022 – present
Assembly	Indonesia: Karawang (HPM) Malaysia: Alor Gajah, Malacca
Designer	Chachawal Prapai and Antonio Ryan Hidayat Andhika Dimas Dwiputra and Kaushal Abhay Dabak (SUV RS Concept)
Body and chassis
Related	Honda BR-V (second generation) Honda Amaze (second generation)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.5 L L15ZF DOHC i-VTEC I4 (DG4)
Power output	89 kW (121 PS)
Transmission	6-speed manual CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,485 mm (97.8 in)
Length	4,060 mm (159.8 in)
Width	1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Height	1,608 mm (63.3 in)

The second-generation WR-V was launched in Indonesia on 2 November 2022. It was initially previewed by the SUV RS concept car showcased at the 28th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 11 November 2021. Its camouflaged production form was later showcased at the 29th iteration of the show on 11 August 2022.

Development of the second-generation WR-V was done by Honda R&D Asia Pacific, led by Large Project Leader Poychat Ua-Arayaporn. The model shared the outer headlight assembly, bonnet and front door panels with the second-generation Amaze. Its dashboard is also nearly identical to the Amaze and the second-generation BR-V. The ground clearance was measured at 220 mm (8.7 in) (rated 207 mm (8.1 in) for the Malaysian market), raised by 32 mm (1.3 in) from the previous generation.

Exports from Indonesia commenced on 28 February 2023, while local assembly in Malaysia commenced in June 2023.

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  Rear view

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  Interior

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  The SUV RS Concept which previewed the second-generation WR-V

Powertrains

The second-generation WR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre L15ZF DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that produced 89 kW (119 hp; 121 PS) at 6,600 rpm and 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,300 rpm. There is no diesel engine option for this generation.

Markets

Indonesia

Honda introduced the WR-V in the Small SUV segment on November 2, 2022, It is intended to be the primary rival to the Toyota Raize. In Indonesia, the second-generation WR-V is offered in E and RS grade levels, both initially only available with CVT. Honda Sensing active safety system along with the LaneWatch camera system is available as an option for the RS grade. The 6-speed manual transmission option was added for the E grade on 19 May 2023.

Thailand

The second-generation WR-V was launched on 10 March 2023 in Thailand. Imported from Indonesia, it is offered in SV and RS grade levels with CVT and Honda Sensing as standard.

Brunei

The second-generation WR-V was launched on 12 May 2023 in Brunei. Imported from Indonesia, it is offered only in RS grade level with CVT and Honda Sensing as standard.

Malaysia

The WR-V was previewed for the Malaysian market on 21 June 2023. It was officially launched on 13 July 2023 as the replacement to the BR-V in the local line-up. It is available in four grade levels: the entry-level S, the mid-grade E, the high-end V and the top-spec RS all powered with the 1.5-liter L15ZF engine paired with CVT transmission. Unlike in other markets, the Malaysian specification WR-V is equipped with height adjustment switch for the headlights in order to comply within the UNECE regulations, Honda Sensing is standard on E, V and RS grades. At its launch, Honda Malaysia targeted sales of 1,300 units per month with 2 to 3-month waiting period.

Safety

2023 Honda WR-V RS with Honda Sensing (6 airbags)

ASEAN NCAP scores
Overall stars / Score	77.07
Adult occupant	27.41 / 32.00
Child occupant	42.79 / 51.00
Safety assist	16.37 / 21.00
Motorcyclist safety	8.36 / 16.00

Japanese market WR-V (2024)

The Japanese market WR-V was introduced on 16 November 2023. Unrelated to the Southeast Asian market WR-V, the Japanese market WR-V is a renamed Elevate, an SUV first introduced in India. Positioned below the similarly sized Vezel, it will go on sale in 2024 as an imported unit from India.

Sales

Year	Brazil	India	Indonesia	Malaysia
2017	15,353	40,124
2018	14,801	36,835
2019	12,162	19,947
2020	10,601	6,548
2021	10,330
2022	711		1,740
2023			20,790

External links

• (Indonesia)