Honda WR-V

The WR-V showcases a more assertive and sleeker design compared to its predecessor. The front grille had been enlarged, now featuring horizontal slats instead of the previous honeycomb pattern. LED projectors with LED DRLs and intricate detailing replace the previous headlamps. LED-powered fog lamps with robust black surrounds further enhance the look. While the side profile remind largely unchanged, the addition of new 16-inch alloy wheels adds a touch of freshness. The rear end boasted reworked LED tail lamps with a smoked finish and blacked-out frames. The WR-V was available in six colours: Radiant Red, Lunar Silver, Modern Steel, Golden Brown, Platinum White, and Premium Amber.

The interior of the WR-V came with an all-black dashboard, silver accents, and high-quality plastics. The sole modification to the 2020 model was the seat upholstery, featuring a sporty mesh design. The WR-V provided a spacious and functional cabin, offering ample legroom, headroom, and cargo space. The standout feature is the electric sunroof, adding to the car's appeal. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, called Digipad 2.0, supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and built-in navigation, though its touch response and clarity leave room for improvement. Standard features included automatic climate control, a driver seat height adjuster, telescopic steering tilt and adjustment, steering-mounted controls, cruise control, and a front armrest with substantial storage.

The WR-V 2020 came with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, a rear parking camera, impact-mitigating front headrests, and pedestrian injury mitigation technology across all variants. However, it falls short of some features offered by competitors, such as side and curtain airbags, hill start assist, traction control, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Under the hood, the WR-V 2020 boasted two BS6-compliant engines: a 1.2-litre petrol engine generating 89 bhp and 110 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine with a more robust 99 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. Both engines were paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, with the petrol engine offering the option of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for added convenience. The petrol engine operated smoothly but lacked the excitement and punch found in some competitors. The diesel engine, on the other hand, was more potent but exhibited some turbo lag at lower revs. The claimed fuel efficiency was 16.5 kmpl for the petrol engine and 23.7 kmpl for the diesel engine.

The WR-V 2020 delivered a comfortable and composed ride quality, thanks to its well-tuned suspension that adeptly absorbs road imperfections. Its generous ground clearance of 188 mm enabled it to navigate rough roads without scraping the underbody. The steering offers ease of manoeuvring in city traffic, though it provides limited feedback at high speeds. While body roll is minimal for a crossover, it's not as well-controlled as conventional hatchbacks or sedans.

Pricing for the 2020 WR-V ranged between Rs. 9.11 lakh and Rs. 12.31 lakh (ex-showroom). This positioned it as a pricier option compared to most competitors in the premium hatchback and subcompact sedan segments, including models such as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Amaze, and Hyundai Aura. It also fell within the price range of some subcompact SUVs, such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Hyundai Venue.

The WR-V 2020 faced stiff competition across various segments in the Indian market. It competed with premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, and Toyota Glanza, which offer more features, superior performance, and lower prices than the WR-V 2020. It also competed with subcompact sedans like the Honda Amaze, Hyundai Aura, Maruti Suzuki Dzire, and Ford Aspire, which provide more trunk space, comfort, and convenience. Lastly, it competes with subcompact SUVs like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, and Tata Nexon, offering increased ground clearance, road presence, and safety features compared to the WR-V 2020.