WR-V fits well in between two segments

I WAS given the go-ahead by Honda Kimberley to assess a few of their automobiles. The crossover WR-V was the first car up for assessment.

The Honda WR-V, which competes with the likes of the Ford Ecosport, Renault Captur and Hyundai Venue, is Honda's entry into the crossover section. The WR-V was created to fill the gap between the budget-friendly, 7-seater BR-V and the more upmarket and fashionable HR-V, and it fills that gap beautifully.

I like the outside styling with its modern chrome-wing front grille, LED headlights that come in the Elegance trim, LED daytime running lights, and C-shaped tail-lights. The WR-V executes Honda's characteristics. It has a convenient ground clearance of 173mm and sits on 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. Roof rails are there for those who need them, and a total of four exterior body colours, Platinum White, Radiant Red, Lunar Silver, and Modern Steel - are available to enhance the overall look even further.

When you buy your WR-V, you can choose between two variants, the 1.2 Comfort or the 1.2 Elegance. A 1.2-litre petrol engine has naturally aspirated combustion with a maximum output of 66 kw and 110 Nm of torque. Honda reports that the new model's combined fuel consumption is 6.4 L/100km, but after driving the WR-V strictly in town, I obtained a consumption of 7,6 L/100. That works out to 13.1km/l. The WR-V is currently only offered with a 5-speed manual transmission (sadly, there are no imminent plans to introduce a CVT automatic transmission).

With only 66 kw and 110 Nm available, it is not the strongest in its segment. Honda would do the WR-V a big favour if it could boost the 1.2-litre engine with a turbo, but with that said, driving around town I found no issue, and there is no need to shift a lot looking for power.

But to its credit, it effortlessly attains and manages highway speeds well. The 5-speed manual transmission was created especially for the motor, shortening the gears to get the correct power for the gear you are in. The short gear lever is very well positioned and it feels and works well. I found every gear I wanted every time with the smooth gearbox. At high speeds of 120km/h, the WR-V handled well, and the steering provided enough feedback. But being a 1.2l engine, overtaking was not the fastest thing to do unless you put your foot down all the way.

The practicality is what truly made it stand out for me. This comes into play with Honda's "Magic Seat" technology. It enables the back seats to be arranged in a variety of ways, making the cargo you need to move a breeze. Honda states that the load bay has a capacity of 363 liters, but 881 liters of additional load capacity is available when the 60:40 split seats are folded down, and if you really needed to, you could fit five or six sheep in the back.

You would think that a "smaller" vehicle will struggle with leg space, but I was stunned by the amount of leg and knee room at the back. Taller passengers will have no problem sitting there.

For me, safety is a big factor when buying a car, and the WR-V does not disappoint.

It has six airbags, ABS (that work well, even at speeds of 160km/h), EBD, ISOFIX anchorage points, fog lamps, and daytime running lamps (front and back) for better visibility. The Comfort model has a 5-inch display music system with 4 speakers, Bluetooth that connects effortlessly and sounds great when driving hands-free, and two USB connections, as well as halogen projector headlights, automatic air conditioning, front and rear power windows, electric side mirrors, satellite buttons on the steering wheel, and rear parking sensors.

The Elegance variant that I was driving has a rear-view camera, smart entry/push-button start, full LED projector headlamps, LED fog lights, a 7-inch touchscreen display that is easy to use, audio system (6 speakers + 2 tweeters) that really sound good, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto. The steering wheel and shifter knob are upholstered in leather. So, yes, it has all the bells and whistles you would want in a car.

Honda's WR-V has done a good job of blending in with the crossover market. It has a lot going for it, including a beautiful appearance and modern styling. The car's soft suspension and how it handled our bumpy roads and potholes really astonished me. There are five cup holders in the interior if, like me, you occasionally require one. One of them is very thoughtfully positioned in front of the driver-side air conditioning vent.

This car and everything it has to offer will satisfy anyone looking for a vehicle in the WR-V pricing range. The three qualities that an automobile should have are comfort, dependability, and safety are all present in the WR-V.

The WR-V Comfort will set you back R308,400, while the Elegance will cost you R348,200. Both Vehicles come with a four-year, 60,000km service plan and a five-year 200,000 km warranty.