The popularity of the Honda WR-V took a major hit as its sales plummeted from 2,783 units in June 2018 to just 1,268 units last month
It looks like the Honda WR-V, the Jazz-based crossover that shot to popularity soon after its launch, is facing the heat from the arrival of new Compact SUVs like the Hyundai Venue and the Mahindra XUV300. Another reason for the fall in its demand could be due to the slowdown that the Indian market is going through.
Last month, Honda Cars India managed to sell only 1,268 units of the most affordable model in its SUV/crossover lineup. This is a huge fall if you compare the figure with the 2,783 units that were sold in June last year.
Currently, the Honda Jazz retails in a price range of Rs 7.55-9.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai). This put it in crosshairs with the recently launched Hyundai Venue (Rs 6.5-11.11 lakh) and Mahindra XUV300 (Rs 8.1-12.69 lakh). With both the new compact SUVs doing quite well in the market, it’s quite evident that their introduction has put a dent in the popularity of the WR-V.
The Honda WR-V is currently available with a cash discount of Rs 25,000. In addition, those who sell their existing car to Honda Auto Terrace get an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000. These discounts make the Honda Jazz-based crossover a slightly better value proposition in the compact crossover segment.
The Honda WR-V is available with two engine options – 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol motor is shared with the Amaze and the Jazz and is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and a CVT. The iVTEC-equipped engine offers an ARAI-rated mileage of 18.2 kmpl with the manual transmission and 19 kmpl with the CVT.
The diesel engine option for the Honda WR-V is the 1.5-litre oil-burner that powers the City and the Amaze. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and offers an ARAI-rated mileage of whopping 27.3 kmpl. While the petrol unit offers a maximum power of 90 PS and a peak torque of 110 Nm, the diesel engine outputs 100 PS and 200 Nm.