Honda WR-V

Deployed in the compact SUV market (small B-segment SUV), Honda Malaysia’s new player, the all-new Honda WR-V (Winsome Runabout Vehicle).

First of its kind, it slots under the HR-V on Honda’s roster, offering a stylishly compact and comfortably agile build.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Pegoh, Melaka), the small crossover comes in four variants. WR-V 1.5L S, WR-V 1.5L E, WR-V 1.5L V, and WR-V 1.5L RS (Road Sailing).

Prices (on-the-road, without insurance) start from MYR 89,900, MYR 95,900, MYR 99,900, and MYR 107,900, respectively. 

Each purchase includes a five-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, and a five-year/100,000 KM free labour service (five times within period).

Five exterior colours. Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Stellar Diamond Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl. 

The all-new WR-V has a dashboard design that is simple and practical with premium build quality. 

It is decked in black soft- and hard-touch panels with silver trims as a detailing finish. Variant WR-V 1.5L RS adds on red detailing.

Overall, every accessibility is well laid out, arranged non-cluttered and driver-oriented with easy reachability.

Variant WR-V 1.5L S gets an analogue speedometer setup. Variants WR-V 1.5L E, WR-V 1.5L V, WR-V 1.5L RS upgrade to a digital speedometer setup featuring a 4.2-Inch TFT Multi-Information Display (MID).

White highlights on the metre needles for variants WR-V 1.5L S, WR-V 1.5L E and WR-V 1.5L V, and red highlights for variant WR-V 1.5L RS.

The space is sufficient and borderline generous, considering it to be a compact SUV. It offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms, thus front and rear occupants get ample space.

Mounted is a three-spoke style steering wheel, wrapped in urethane (WR-V 1.5L S, WR-V 1.5L E) and leather (WR-V 1.5L V, WR-V 1.5L RS). 

It gets multi-switches (media, vehicle settings), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), paddle shifters (WR-V 1.5L RS), and an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Weighing in at 1,108 KG (WR-V 1.5L S), 1,111 KG (WR-V 1.5L E), 1,125 KG (WR-V 1.5L V), and 1,145 KG (WR-V 1.5L RS), the all-new WR-V stands at 4,060 MM long, 1,780 MM wide, 1,576 MM (WR-V 1.5L S), and 1,608 MM (WR-V 1.5L E, WR-V 1.5L V, WR-V 1.5L RS) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,485 MM.

Parading a compactly sleek and sporty exterior, it boasts angularly-refined elements and contours all around.

The front-end features a black honeycomb grille on variants WR-V 1.5L S, WR-V 1.5L E and WR-V 1.5L V, and a chrome chequered flag grille on the WR-V 1.5L RS.

Accompanying the grille fitment is a stretched out lower air-intake, and filling in the layout are silver trimmings (all-black - WR-V 1.5L RS) and a silver skid plate.

Framed aerodynamically sharp, the head lamps project a very focused and determined outlook.

Variants WR-V 1.5L S and WR-V 1.5L E get halogen units with bulb turn signals, and auto On/Off and high beam functions for the latter.

Variants WR-V 1.5L V and WR-V 1.5L RS get full LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED turn signals (sequential - WR-V 1.5L RS), and auto On/Off and high beam functions.

Wrapped-around and angularly bulging, the tail lamps fit the rear well, adding abundance to the overall outlook. All variants are installed with full LED units.

The side mirrors are power-adjustable and -retractable with turn signals, blind-spot monitor indicators, and Honda LaneWatch Camera (LWC). 

Variants WR-V 1.5L S, WR-V 1.5L E and WR-V 1.5L V get a set of 16-Inch five-spoke silver alloy rims, wrapped in Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 215/60 R16 tyres. 

Variant WR-V 1.5L RS upgrades to a set of 17-Inch multi-spoke two-tone alloy rims, wrapped in Continental UC6 215/55 R17 tyres.

The all-new WR-V is powered by an L15ZF, 1.5-Litre four-cylinder 16-valve naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, producing 119 HP/89-KW at 6,600 RPM and 145 NM of torque at 4,300 RPM.

The driving is very solid and responsive, thanks to the fitted suspension setup (MacPherson strut - front, torsion beam - rear).

Overall, it is spacious, comfortable, and the ride quality is good with a refined and sturdy handling.

The all-new Honda WR-V is a well-equipped compact SUV. Notably, to its driving dynamics, comfort and safety systems.

Quality of the equipment and materials installed, inside and outside of the car really impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing. 

Ultimately, it is a pretty decent vehicle that offers good fuel economy, advanced safety features, refined ride quality and a stylish body design altogether.