Five great things about the new Honda WR-V

Honda announced the new compact SUV “WR-V” in Japan on December 21, 2023, and released it on March 22, 2024. In this article, I’ve thoroughly researched the specifications and found the best features of the WR-V after considering purchasing it. I hope this information will be helpful when making your purchase.

Points that make me think “Recommended!” about the new WR-V

I actually considered purchasing it and did some research, and have compiled a list of things that I think are “great!”, “good!”, and “recommended!”

1. The lowest vehicle price of any Honda SUV

The price is the cheapest among Honda SUVs. It’s almost the same price as the gasoline-powered Yaris Cross. It’s amazing.

2. Exterior design

Despite its low price, the exterior design has a very high quality feel, and the styling exudes a sense of security and reliability. The high beltline and thick body shape create a powerful impression. The front and rear lights are designed to enhance the sense of width, with full LEDs at the front and LEDs for the stop lamps and tail lamps at the rear , making it hard to believe that this is an entry-level SUV.

Honda’s new “WR-V” vs. Toyota’s new “Yaris Cross” body size comparison

The difference between the WR -V and the Yaris Cross is that the overall length is +145mm, the overall width +25mm, and the overall height +60mm. The wheelbase is +0mm. Comparing the body sizes of the WR-V and the Yaris Cross, the WR-V is longer in overall length and width, but has the same wheelbase. The WR-V has a shorter minimum turning radius, making it easier to maneuver and ensuring more interior space.

3. The interior quality is good considering the price.

All grades above the Z grade come standard with a genuine leather steering wheel and paddle shifters, and the inner door panels feature white stitching and soft padding in some areas, making them very pleasant to the touch. The shift lever also comes with a shift boot. The only slight improvement would be that the dashboard is entirely made of hard plastic, which is reasonable considering the price, but a little soft padding might make a difference.

4. Center console box and armrest come standard

A center console box is standard equipment, which is rare in this class. The center console box will likely be used primarily as an armrest, but the Yaris Cross in the same class has finally been fitted with a center armrest in some grades since its partial improvement in 2024. For those who like to rest their elbows while driving, it’s great that it’s standard equipment.

5. Rear ventilation comes as standard

Unusually for this class, rear ventilation is standard equipment. This is recommended for those who want to carry passengers in the back seat. This option is not available on the Yaris Cross in the same class.

Summary of the new Honda WR-V

While I’ve explained some of the great features, the WR-V and Vezel use the same gasoline engine. Their WLTC fuel economy is also roughly the same. However, the WR-V has fewer features, so the price difference is undoubtedly between ¥12,9800 and ¥300,300. The WR-V’s price and specifications are similar to those of the Yaris Cross, the best-selling model in Japan’s Yaris series, and Honda is excited about its sales. Furthermore, with sales of the Raize and Rocky models in the same class halted due to Daihatsu’s scandal, the WR-V is likely to be a popular choice. It will be interesting to see where the WR-V ranks in sales volume from April and May 2024.

Honda WR-V

https://www.honda.co.jp/WR-V/​​