2023 Honda WR-V Launched in Thailand – Malaysia Soon?

Months after its global debut in Indonesia, the all-new 2023 Honda WR-V has officially launched in Thailand. Directly imported (CBU) from Honda Indonesia’s Karawang plant, this Thai-bound mini SUV crossover comes in two variants, namely the baseline SV model and the range-topping RS variant.

Unlike in the Republic however, the WR-V will stand alone as the only mini SUV model to be sold in the Kingdom, as both the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize – WR-V’s rivals in Indonesia – are currently not for sale in Thailand.

In terms of dimension, this crossover measures 4,060 MM long, 1,780 MM wide and 1,608 MM tall. With a wheelbase of 2,485 MM, the WR-V slots below the Honda HR-V as the marque’s ‘true’ B-segment SUV. For comparison, the Raize/Rocky’s localised DNGA twin, the Perodua Ativa, measures at 4,065 MM long, 1,710 MM wide and 1,635 MM tall, which is not far-off from the new WR-V.

The Thai-spec WR-V shares the same powertrain setup as their Indonesian counterparts, as both variants offered here are powered by a 1.5-litre nat-asp 4-cyl DOHC mill that delivers up to 119 HP and 145 NM. Said mill is then mated with a CVT gearbox that sends drive to its front wheels.

2023 Honda WR-V SV (left) and RS (right)

Visually, the WR-V features a typical crossover/SUV silhouette and body style, but in a much more compact form. Up front, base-spec WR-V SV rocks a horizontal dash front grille design, while its RS counterpart comes standard with a sportier chrome-pin grille.

Another notable difference for both specs are the wheels, where the SV model rides on standard 16-inch wheels, while the up-specced RS is primed with a flashier set of wheels, measured at 17-inch and finished in two-tone hue.

Moving to the rear part, all variants will don the same LED taillights with sequential LED turn signals to boot. Also standard across the model is the presence of powered side mirrors, with them being hued in gloss black for the RS spec.

Inside, the WR-V comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment display that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a 4.2-inch digital driver’s display. All variants also sport other amenities like automatic climate control, keyless entry and engine start, remote engine start, Honda Smart Key Card and multi-angle reverse camera system to boot.

Opting for the SV spec will grant you with synthetic leather/fabric seats with blue stitchings, an all-leather steering wheel, also featuring blue stitchings, as well as a four-speaker audio system to match said infotainment display. The up-specced RS cabin swaps the blue stitchings for red trims, while adding two extra speakers to the audio system and Honda Connect function to the standard infotainment system.

Fortunately, all variants boast a full-swing Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite to boot. This suite includes ADAS features like Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System With Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW), Auto High-Beam (AHB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN). Just like the Malaysian-spec RS models, the Thai-spec WR-V RS will also get an extra Honda LaneWatch feature.

In terms of pricing, the 2023 Honda WR-V starts at THB799,000 (RM103,072) for the baseline SV variant, while the range-topping RS variant commands a higher THB869,000 (RM112,102) price tag – making them more expensive than the City Hatchback, which currently starts at THB599,000 (RM77,921). Honda Thailand offers the WR-V in five exterior hue options, including Ignite Red (two-tone with Black roof), Taffeta White, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Silver Stellar Diamond Pearl.

With the WR-V officially lands in the neighbouring Kingdom, Malaysia is expectedly to be its next destination. Our previous report also suggested that Honda Malaysia is poised to introduce this mini SUV, alongside three other models, with one of those likely to be the facelifted Honda City.

Folks, what are your thoughts on the all-new 2023 Honda WR-V? Keen to see this mini SUV going head-to-head against the Ativa in our market soon? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments down below…