Honda Elevate to be sold in Japan as WR-V

Honda has introduced the made-in-India Elevate in Japan, but it has been rechristened as the WR-V. The Honda WR-V SUV for Japan is being built alongside the made-for-India Elevate SUV at the brand's Tapukara plant in Rajasthan.

1. Honda Elevate for Japan gets an all-black interior
2. Does not get any other mechanical changes
3. Will sit under the HR-V SUV in the Japanese market

Honda Elevate for Japan: what’s different?

The Elevate for Japan (WR-V) looks identical to the one sold in India. However, things are a bit different on the inside. The WR-V SUV gets an all-black interior theme as opposed to the dual-tone black and beige layout in the Elevate. Additionally, it gets a different infotainment screen, which could have country-specific content.

Under the hood, the WR-V for Japan gets the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine as the Elevate, mated to a CVT gearbox.

Honda WR-V: Where does it stand in Honda’s Japan line-up?

The made-in-India WR-V measures almost similar to the Honda HR-V SUV sold in Japan, and while the HR-V has a stylish coupe-like design, the WR-V will cater to customers looking for a more upright and practical SUV. The WR-V does not get any petrol-hybrid powertrain, which will help Honda price it below the HR-V as it comes with a more advanced and more fuel-efficient petrol-hybrid powertrain.

Honda now has two WR-Vs on sale overseas

While the WR-V for Japan is based on the City and will be supplied from India, Honda has one more WR-V on sale in Indonesia – but that is a totally different vehicle. The WR-V for Indonesia is a tad smaller than the one sold in Japan and sits on the Amaze platform, and gets a different-looking interior and exterior.