2017 Honda WR-V review, test drive

Honda’s Jazz-based cross-hatch comes with a tough-looking front-end, revised suspension and loads of kit. We drive it.

Published on Mar 01, 2017 12:17:00 PM

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Make : Honda

Model : WR-V

What is it?

With cross-hatches, carmakers have kept the formula simple – take their existing hatches, inject some testosterone with thick slide cladding, roof rails, larger wheels and voila! We have an all-new model. The i20 Active, the Etios Cross and the Cross Polo, all seem to toe this line of thought (except the Fiat Urban Cross – but it hardly sells!).

With the new WR-V, Honda has made an honest effort to create a Jazz-based crossover that stands out from its donor car. Not just in terms of its SUV-inspired looks, which gives it a different persona, especially when viewed from the front and rear. But also in the way it has gone about tweaking the suspension, raising ground clearance and adding a few more features to differentiate it from the Jazz.

What is in common is most of its siblings’ good bits like a spacious cabin and a huge boot. It also shares the same set of engines, a 90hp 1.2-litre petrol and a 100 hp 1.5-litre diesel paired with 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions, respectively. An automatic does not seem to be on the horizon anytime soon unlike the Jazz which comes equipped with a CVT gearbox option.

The WR-V is expected to be launched by March 16, with prices expected to be between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

What’s it like on the outside?

Look at the WR-V from the front and you’ll be forgiven to think that it's an all-together new car. Honda has done a fine job of endowing it with a beefier ‘SUV’ look, a raised bonnet line, a thick chrome grille, a contrasting scuff plate and a sculpted bumper. The headlights come with daytime-running LEDs and look attractive. The rear end too is unique to the WR-V with its L-shaped tail lamps, revised bumper and a fairly revised tailgate design that now sees the number-plate slot positioned lower than in the Jazz.

The car's sides are where you can draw the most visual similarities with the Jazz, with familiar bodyline and glasshouse. There are some unique bits too, with the WR-V getting thick plastic cladding, chrome door handles, roof rails and larger 16-inch alloys wheels that ride on wider 195 mm rubber.

The WR-V is 44mm longer, 40mm wider and 57mm taller than the Jazz; surprisingly its 2,555mm wheelbase is 25mm longer than the Jazz, (Honda says, it is due to revised suspension mounting points). The WR-V will be offered in six colours, including a new ‘Premium Amber’ shade.