2023 Honda WR-V launched in Indonesia -- should the Toyota Raize be worried?

The Japanese carmaker launched the model in Jakarta, Indonesia on Nov. 2, 2022.

According to a report from our friends at AutoFun Indonesia, Honda Cars said the WR-V is targeted at people who are persistent, tech-savvy and enjoy socializing.

"Kami menyebut sebagai Hustler Generation, Dimana Honda WR-V menyasar para hustler di Indonesia yaitu berusia 22-40 tahun yang dinamis dan berupaya mencapai segala hal yang ingin dicapainya," said Yusak Billy, who is the sales, marketing and business innovation director for Honda Cars in Indonesia.

[Translation: We call it the ‘Hustler Generation,’ where the Honda WR-V targets hustlers in Indonesia, namely those aged 22-40, who are dynamic and strive to achieve everything they want to achieve.]

The latest WR-V is actually the second generation of the model, which has been sold in markets like Brazil and India since 2017.

This new WR-V uses the underpinnings of the new Honda BR-V multi-purpose vehicle, which is set to launch in the Philippines on Nov. 21, 2022.

HR-V, but smaller

Externally, it looks like an HR-V that’s been shrunk in the dryer with its tall hoodline, large pointed headlights and trapezoidal chrome grill.

The display model in Indonesia also featured silver trim on the lower front bumper.

Down the side, the first thing that gets your eye is the steeply raked rear tailgate that is accentuated by the hidden rear door handles. These are both neat design features seen on the HR-V.

The side profile also has touches like plastic cladding that runs along the fenders and the side skirt and two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels on the higher-end WR-V.

At the back, you get distinct, boomerang-style taillights with an intricately designed lower rear bumper.

Raize rival

The Indonesian-market WR-V has three variants: E, RS and RS with Honda SENSING. Converted to Philippine peso, these cost approximately:

• E -- PhP 1.02 million
• RS -- PhP 1.08 million
• RS with Honda SENSING -- PhP 1.16 million

All models use a continuously variable transmission mated to a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 producing 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque. This drivetrain is also used in the City, the HR-V and the upcoming BR-V.

Meanwhile, the Honda SENSING system includes features to completely prevent or reduce the severity of a road crash. These are collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure mitigation.

Given its price, engine and size, the WR-V is set to go head-to-head with Toyota’s popular Raize crossover, which is based on the Daihatsu Rocky.

There is still no word from Honda Cars Philippines Inc. if the WR-V will be released locally.

The WR-V may be for the hustlers, but do you think it has enough hustle to take on the Toyota Raize?