Evolving customer needs has given birth to the compact SUV segment in India. Owing to the segment’s popularity and demand, many leading automakers have either launched or are planning to launch new models in the country. The Vitara Brezza from Maruti Suzuki which was launched in the country a year ago, has soon managed to claim the top spot in the utility vehicle segment. Very soon, the popular selling compact SUV will see some stiff competition from the Honda’s upcoming compact SUV, the WR-V. The new model which is believed to be based on the Jazz hatchback, will get fresh upgrades in form of bigger body shell and a new design.
Dimension: The Vitara Brezza as well as the upcoming WR-V are well under sub-four meters. In terms of dimensions, the Vitara Brezza from Maruti Suzuki measures 3,995mm in length, 1790mm in width and 1640mm in height. Though the specs for the Honda WR-V is not known for now, reports indicate that the upcoming vehicle has a wheelbase measuring 2,555mm while is indeed quite good when compared to the Vitara Brezza with has a wheelbase measuring 2,500mm. This means that the upcoming WR-V will offer more legroom for occupants, which might well turn out to be Honda’s USP.
Features: Considering that both the vehicles top-spec variants are being compared, the Vitara Brezza as well as the WR-V will offer a decent amount of features with Maruti Suzuki scoring extra brownie pointers. The fully-loaded ZDi+ Vitara Brezza variant gets a chrome grille, rear wiper assembly and defogger, front and rear fog lamps and projector headlamps with Daytime Running Lamps. Additionally, Maruti Suzuki also offers the Smart Play infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, navigation and reverse parking camera. Moreover, it also features cruise control, push-button start, electric folding ORVMs, rain sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. To make it more interesting, customers can opt for dual-tone colour schemes. Moreover, the company offers more customisation options via iCreate.
As for Honda WR-V technical specifications are not known for now. However, we believe it might carry features off the top-spec Jazz V variant in petrol and the VX trim in diesel. The new model is expected to electric folding mirrors, rear wiper and washer, and a 6.2-inch color infotainment touchscreen setup with audio/video and navigation support. It is to be seen if the upcoming model will also get ‘Magic seats’ as offered in the Jazz hatchback. The upcoming WR-V will also benefit from Honda Connect that allows smartphone integration with the infotainment system.
Engine: Under the hood, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is powered by 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine which generates 89bhp of power and 200Nm of torque. The fairly powered engine comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. As for the Honda WR-V, it will be offered in petrol as well as diesel options. The petrol version gets a 1.2-litre i-VTEC that generates 89bhp of power and 110Nm of torque. As for the diesel variant, it might be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that generates 99bhp of power and 200Nm of peak torque. Apart from a powerful engine and presence of a petrol alternative, Honda has an upper hand here as the petrol variant might get a CVT option.
Conclusion: There is a clear set of set of pros and cons to the Vitara Brezza and the upcoming WR-V. The Vitara Brezza comes loaded with a set of features and easy cost effective service options. But then, it limits customers who are interested for a petrol option. The WR-V on the other hand is not expected to get too many features as seen in the Vitara Brezza, but it gets a petrol option, offer more legroom and also a CVT option. However, everything will depend on the pricing aspect for the WR-V. The Japanese automaker will have to price the upcoming WR-V smartly in order to ensure that the emerges as a popular choice in the Indian market.
