Honda WR-V facelift: What to expect

The WR-V has been one of Honda’s bestselling models thanks to the practicality, space and frugality, especially in diesel form, it offers. We’ve been reporting on a new Honda WR-V coming soon, and though the launch has been delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, a facelift of the cross-hatch will arrive in the coming days. Honda’s put it in more equipment and added a fresh look and updated engines to make it more competitive. Here’s everything you need to know about the Honda WR-V facelift:

How different will it look?

Considering it’s a facelift, the WR-V will still be instantly recognisable as a Honda Jazz-based cross-hatchback. New design elements include tweaks to the front bumper (it now gets more pronounced creases), the grille (the previous model’s honeycomb pattern has been replaced by horizontal slats), and new LED projector headlight and LED tail-light units. As before, the WR-V will get roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels and LED DRLs on top-spec variants.

How much more equipment will be on offer?

The short answer is not much. The biggest changes on the inside of the WR-V are expected to be to the fabric patterns and upholstery, with the overall design remaining the same. The dashboard layout will also be the same as the pre-facelift WR-V, though the contrasting silver-black finish has not been carried forward on the refreshed model.

The top-spec WR-V VX variant will still come with features such as cruise control, an electric sunroof, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power folding and adjustable wing mirrors, and keyless entry and go. Besides the mandated safety kit, other features that are standard across the range include two airbags, a rear defogger and manual day/night inside rearview mirror, with the higher-spec WR-Vs getting a rear wiper and a parking camera.

What’s new under the hood?

There will be BS6-compliant versions of the outgoing model’s 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. Both are expected to have the same outputs as before - 90hp/110Nm for the petrol and 100hp/200Nm for the diesel - though expect ARAI mileage to drop slightly from the BS4 model. In BS4-spec, the petrol was rated at 17.5kpl, while the diesel was at an ARAI-rated 25.5kpl.

While many had clamoured for an automatic version of the Honda WR-V, there’s no confirmation if a WR-V CVT will be on offer. We can confirm that the previously offered 5-speed manual gearbox will be on offer with both engines. 

How will it be priced?

As the BS4 Honda WR-V prices range from Rs 8.15-9.25 lakh for the petrol and Rs 9.25-10.35 lakh for the diesel, expect a Rs 15,000 bump for the petrol and a Rs 40,000 increase for the diesel WR-V. Which means BS6 WR-V petrol prices will be about Rs 8.3-9.4 lakh, while WR-V diesel prices will be approximately Rs 9.7-10.8 lakh.

Like with the BS4 WR-V, expect the petrol model to come in two variants - the entry-level S and top-spec VX - and the diesel to be offered in three - the S, V and VX. Honda does sell more units of the diesel WR-V than the petrol, which is why it offers more options to diesel buyers.

Will it be competitive compared to its rivals?

The compact SUV space has become even more fiercely competitive recently, with prices for all models having increased due to the upgrade to BS6 emission norms. 

As before, starting prices for the Honda WR-V are a bit higher than rivals, but the level of equipment in the entry-level trim is also higher. What's interesting is that the top-spec BS6 WR-V is expected to significantly undercut the range-topping manual versions of the Nexon, Venue, EcoSport and XUV300, though most of these compact SUVs do have a bit more kit. 

*Ex-showroom, India
^Estimated

Time and a proper comparison will tell if the WR-V has the chops to carve a niche in this segment once again.