- Automotive

Honda WR-V: A facelift on the cards, officially revealed!

Since its launch in 2017, Honda hasn’t tinkered much with the WR-V. With its crossover styling, rugged bumpers, and plastic cladding running across the whole car, the WR-V sat comfortably in the compact SUV segment. However, with the competition only getting fierce, and leading manufacturers stepping in this space with more potent SUVs, sales started to dwindle for Honda’s crossover.

Therefore, to make a mark in this space, Honda is all set to update its compact SUV in April 2020. Honda has been kind enough to release a teaser video of the upcoming facelift – which does hint at some small updates. Honda is taking the soon-to-be-enforced BS-VI emission standards as an opportunity to give its compact SUV a facelift.

And since it is a facelift, there will be only a few changes to the WR-V. Well, as the teaser video suggests, the most prominent changes will be to the front-end. There will be a new four-slat black-finished grille, replacing the honeycomb pattern of older Honda. While the headlamps will retain the same housing, it will come with an LED-powered projector unit alongside the previously-present LED DRL. The fog lamps, too, will now feature LEDs. The design for the alloy wheels is also expected to be different. At the rear, the only known change is the addition of LED taillamps. Read on.

Specifications

Since it will be a facelift, expect the new Honda WR-V to be similar to the ongoing model in terms of its overall dimensions. The ongoing WR-V, in terms of the overall dimensions, is 3,999mm in length, 1,734mm in width, and 1,601mm in height. It has a ground clearance of 165mm and the base-spec variant tips the scale at 1,087kg. The wheelbase is a nice 2,555mm. Moreover, the fuel tank capacity is 40-litres and boot space capacity is 363-litres.

The Honda WR-V shares its engines with the Amaze. The entry-level engine is a 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol, good for 89bhp and 110Nm of torque. It comes paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. Next is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel, which churns out 99bhp and 200Nm of torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The ongoing WR-V is only available with manual gearboxes. Expect the facelift to borrow the CVT transmissions from the Amaze.

Mileage

In its BS-IV guise, the Honda WR-V is quite a fuel-efficient SUV. The diesel engine is, of course, more frugal, as it is capable of delivering 25.5km/l. Petrol-powered WR-V, on the other hand, is capable of delivering 17.5km/l.

Features

The ongoing model of the Honda WR-V is decently kitted from the segment standpoint. While there is little to no news whether the updated model will receive more features, it is expected to feature new upholstery and a few minor additions.

Speaking of the ongoing model, the top-spec VX variant features LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, and keyless entry patch on the outside. On the inside, you get a push-button start, electric sunroof, cruise control, steering-mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel, climate control, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Sadly, however, the petrol-spec VX variant of the Honda WR-V does not feature push-button start and keyless entry patch.

Colours

The WR-V, as of early-2020, comes in sixshades, namely, Premium Amber Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, and Lunar Silver Metallic.

Brochure

All the details regarding the Honda WR-V, namely, the engine, specifications, variant wise equipment, colours, dimensions, interiors, and exterior details are extensively covered in the brochure.

Variants and Prices

As of early-2020, the Honda WR-V is available in nine variants, four in thepetrol-manual configuration, and five in the diesel-manual configuration. The prices start at Rs. 8.15 lakhs for the S MT Petrol variant going all the way to Rs. 9.95 lakhs for the V MT Diesel variant (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). For the variant-wise on-road prices, visit us at autoX.

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