Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport – Specs Comparison

honda wr-v vs ford ecosport

Honda WR-V is a compact crossover that has all the essentials right on paper to give a tough competition to Ford EcoSport. Here is how they compare:

Japanese auto major Honda has launched its next offering for the Indian market, the WR-V. The muscular and chunky looking crossover is based on the premium hatchback Jazz and it has already grabbed the attention of Indian customers. The WR-V will intensify the rivalry in the segment, where tough rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster, Hyundai i20 Active and Toyota Etios Cross are present.

The Honda WR-V has been developed keeping the emerging markets in mind. India being one of the fastest growing and largest car markets in the world, Honda is keen to grab a good share here. The company has been present in the country market for quite long time, but couldn’t get a strong hold on sales. Few months back, Honda Car India confessed that it has been unable to understand the pulse of the customers in the country, which directly affected its sales.

Honda WR-V Launched in India Price Engine Specs Features Review 8The Japanese auto major also cleared that it will focus on offering premium cars to the Indian customers as the demands for such models have been increasing. Also, the popularity of crossovers and SUVs has been rising in the country. Keeping all these factors in mind, Honda is betting big on the WR-V premium crossover. But, the journey of the car is not going to be smooth here, as tough and established rivals like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport are already there.

One of the bestselling compact SUVs in the country is the Ford EcoSport. Before arrival of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the EcoSport has been doing pretty well in the domestic market and set the early benchmark. Now, with the arrival of the Honda WR-V, it is facing even a tougher competition. As these two muscular looking models collide to grab SUV market share, we present you a spec-sheet based comparison:

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport – Exterior

The Honda WR-V crossover is being manufactured at Honda Car India’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan. Based on the Honda Jazz premium hatchback, the crossover shares several design elements with its hatch sibling. But the distinctiveness is also very much visible. The Honda WR-V comes wearing the modern design language of the Japanese brand.

honda wrv vs ford ecosport comparsion1Up front, the crossover sports sharp and wide headlamps with integrated L shaped LED daytime running lights. The top variant of the car is expected to get projector units. The headlamps are joined by the signature thick H shaped chrome bar on top of the front grille, which is visible in several other Honda models too. The front grille comes portraying an aggressive design and blends into the chunky front bumper. The clamshell bonnet gets sharp and sleek creases running toward the nose section.

While the front fascia looks very attractive and bold with uniqueness, the side profile comes sporting several similarities as the Honda Jazz. The deep cut running through the doors from behind the front fender and blending into the taillights is a design language directly taken from the premium hatchback. Apart from that, the side profile of the crossover also comes with thick black side cladding, sporty alloy wheels, turn indicator integrated ORVMs, black glass area, chrome finished door handles and sporty roof rails.

Honda WR-V Launched in India Price Engine Specs Features Review 4Moving to the rear fascia, the Honda WR-V features an integrated roof spoiler and a high mounted stop lamp with that. Also, the C shaped taillights, chrome bar above the registration enclosure, a bold and muscular bumper with silver skid plate are the other design elements visible at rear profile. Overall, the Honda WR-V looks pretty stylish and masculine with its bulky design. No wonder, Honda has designed the crossover to deliver a strong road presence.

Speaking about the Ford EcoSport, one thing we notice at the very first glance. Both the WR-V and the EcoSport appear with bulky and muscular design language. Unlike the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Hyundai i20 Active, these two cars we are discussing about look less sporty.

The EcoSport comes with a bold and bulky front fascia. It gets a large hexagonal front grille with chrome detailing and he sharp and sleek headlamps come quite stylish with integrated LED daytime running lights. The front bumper looks massive and it appears with two neatly positioned round fog lamps and a black cladding as well. The American automaker has designed the front fascia of the compact SUV in such manner that gives it a strong and bold look at the very first glance.

The side profile of the Ford EcoSport features sporty alloy wheels, turn indicator integrated ORVMs, blackened glass area, roof rails, flared wheel arches and black side cladding as well.

honda wrv vs ford ecosport comparsion2Moving to the rear, the Ford EcoSport compact SUV comes with an attractive look, thanks to the roof spoiler with stop lamp, wraparound taillights, a black bumper and what’s more interesting is the spare wheel positioned at the centre of the tailgate. We reckon WR-V has a slight edge over EcoSport in terms of exterior styling due to its modernity but a touted facelift of EcoSport could change all that.

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport – Dimension

honda wrv vs ford ecosport comparsion4Confirming its added practicality, the WR-V has 25 mm longer wheelbase, due to a new suspension mounting, and offers 23 mm more ground clearance than its hatchback sibling. The boot space has been increased by 9 litres to 363 litres but it doesn’t get 60:40 seats or the Magic seats present in Jazz. Overall, the WR-V crossover is 44 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 57 mm taller comparatively giving more cabin space, leg and head room inside.

The Ford EcoSport on the other hand comes with 3,999 mm of length, 1,765 mm of width and 1,708 mm of height. It gets a wheelbase of 2,520 mm and the 200 mm of impressive ground clearance ensures better off-roading capability for the compact SUV. It offers 346-litre of bootspace.

Honda WR-V Turning Radius Ford EcoSport Turning Radius
4.5-4.8 metre 5.3 metre

The Honda WR-V measures exactly the same length as the Ford EcoSport. But the Ford compact SUV  is 31 mm wider and 107 mm taller than the crossover. However, with 35 mm less wheelbase, the Honda WR-V is likely to offer more leg room for the occupants inside the cabin. In terms of taking on the rough roads, the Ford EcoSport is more capable than the WR-V, thanks to 12 mm of extra ground clearance but in luggage compartment it is 17 litres down.

Honda WR-V Ford EcoSport
Length – 3,999 mm 3,999 mm
Width – 1,734 mm 1,765 mm
Height – 1,601 mm 1,708 mm
Wheelbase – 2,555 mm 2,520 mm
Ground Clearance – 188 mm 200 mm
Boot Space – 363 litres 346 litres

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport – Interior

Honda WR-V Launched in India Price Engine Specs Features Review interiorLike exterior, the Honda WR-V is comes borrowing several design elements from its hatchback sibling Jazz inside the cabin also. It will arrive with an upmarket interior, featuring a sporty black theme. The cabin of the Honda WR-V crossover comes equipped with a multi-function three-spoke steering wheel, three-pod instrument cluster with analog dials and a digital MID. It also sports a black dashboard with a large touchscreen infotainment system at the centre console. To enhance the styling, Honda has added silver detailing around the AC vents.

Important features are the one touch open/close electric sunroof, automatic climate control and seven-inch Digipad touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB, and an internal memory of 1.5 GB. It also supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi and Mirror Link functionality with expected HDMI-in slot. The diesel variants will gain keyless entry, engine start/stop and cruise control.

The main safety features include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and dual airbags as standard while multi-angle rearview camera and brake override system are also made available. The suspension duty is done by MacPherson struts up front and a twisted torsion beam at the rear. The front wheels have ventilated disc brakes while the rear wheels get drum brakes. The VX variant will features a 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels shod on 195/60 R16 tyres.

As we have already said, the Japanese automaker is trying woo the Indian buyers with premium offering, the Honda WR-V bears a very upmarket vibe in its cabin. The car receives superior quality material on seat and upholstery. Speaking about the comfort and space on offer, the WR-V arrives with extra leg space thanks to the additional length and wheelbase compared to its rival, the Ford EcoSport.

The compact SUV from the American auto manufacturer also arrives with an interesting looking cabin. But, compared to the WR-V, the centre console of the EcoSport looks bit cluttered and not so simple and stylish. It comes with a multifunction steering wheel, analog dials and digital MID consisting instrument cluster, a satellite navigation system at the centre console. Apart from that, the quality of dashboard, seat and upholstery is quite good.

2017 Ford EcoSport Platinum Edition - 8 Inch Touchscreen SystemIf we talk about the space and comfort, the Ford EcoSport certainly offers a very comfortable journey experience to the occupants. Thanks to the 113 mm extra height than the Honda WR-V, the EcoSport offers more headroom for the occupants. The taller passengers will surely find this car pretty much comfortable. Despite being smaller in length compared to the Honda vehicle, the leg room on offer inside the cabin of EcoSport is quite generous.

Finally, if we compare interiors on both the Honda WR-V and the Ford EcoSport, they appear ensuring best possible comfort for the occupants. But, in terms of styling and features, the Honda WR-V comes bit more impressive than the Ford compact SUV.

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport Engine, Specification and Transmission

The Honda WR-V crossover comes available in both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol powered model will be equipped with a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine under the hood mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It is capable of churning out 90 bhp of peak power and 110 Nm of peak torque. The petrol variant of the crossover won’t receive a CVT alongside the manual transmission unlike the Jazz remorsefully.

The Honda WR-V diesel on the other hand is likely to come with a 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine under the hood. This engine will come paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and it is capable of kicking out 100 bhp of peak power and 200 Nm of impressive peak torque output. No automatic or CVT will be offered with this diesel motor.

Honda WR-V Fuel Efficiency Ford EcoSport Fuel Efficiency
Petrol MT – 17.5 kmpl

Diesel MT – 25.5 kmpl

15.85 kmpl (1.5L P MT)

15.60 kmpl (1.5L P AT)

18.88 (1.0L P)

22.27 kmpl (Diesel)

Ford EcoSport on the other hand is available in two different petrol engine options and a single diesel engine option. The petrol engines include a 1.5-litre unit and a 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine as well. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox and it churns out 110 bhp of peak power at 6,300 rpm and 140 Nm of peak torque at 4,400 rpm. There is a 6-speed automatic gearbox on offer with the 1.5-litre petrol engine. This engine returns 15.85 kmpl of fuel efficiency in the manual variant, while the automatic variant delivers 15.60 kmpl.

The 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engine on offer has been an award winning innovation from the American auto giant, and this engine vehemently popular around the world. The EcoSport’s popularity attributes to this engine as well. This Ecoboost engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and pumps out 124 bhp of peak power at 6,000 rpm and 170 Nm of peak torque at 1,400 rpm. This engine is capable of returning 18.88 kmpl fuel efficiency.

The diesel variant of the Ford EcoSport is powered by a 1.5-litre motor paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine is capable of producing 99 bhp of peak power at 3,750 rpm and 205 Nm of peak torque at 1,750 rpm. This powertrain returns 22.27 kmpl of fuel efficiency.

If we talk about the powertrain and performance, the Ford EcoSport surely gets an edge over its rival. The EcoSport compact SUV petrol variant is well equipped to churn out more power and torque output than the Honda WR-V. Leave the 1.5-litre petrol engine of the EcoSport, the 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbocharged engine itself is well capable to enhance the appeal of the compact SV against its rival. Speaking about diesel variant, EcoSport’s engine generates more torque than the Honda WR-V. Therefore, the customers who are looking for better power and performance, will surely opt for the Ford EcoSport.

Honda WR-V Ford EcoSport
Engine – 1.2-litre i-VTEC / 1.5-litre i-DTEC 1.5-litre / 1.0-litre Ecoboost / 1.5-litre
Fuel Type – Petrol / Diesel Petrol / Diesel
Transmission – 5-speed MT / 6-speed MT 5-speed MT / 6-speed AT / 5-speed MT
Maximum Power – 90 bhp / 100 bhp 110 bhp @ 6,300 rpm / 124 bhp @ 6,000 rpm / 99 bhp @ 3,750 rpm
Maximum Torque – 110 Nm / 200 Nm 140 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 170 Nm @ 1,400 rpm / 205 Nm @ 1,750 rpm

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport Safety Features

The Honda WR-V arrives with several impressive safety features like dual front airbags and ABS with EBD as standard across all the variants. This crossover gains reverse parking camera and reverse parking sensors too in top-end models. The Ford EcoSport is also equipped with very impressive safety features. It gets dual front and side airbags for the driver and the front passenger.

Apart from that, the compact SUV feature curtain airbags. The high quality Boron steel structure is claimed to be capable of absorbing impact and offering better protection to the occupants. The Ford EcoSport also comes with ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control, rear view camera, rear parking sensor etc. So far, the EcoSport appears equally safer as the Honda WR-V with loads of features like ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure, pedestrian injury mitigation system and intelligent pedal (brake over-ride system).

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport – Price

Honda WR-V Launched in India Price Engine Specs Features Review 8Honda Car India has kept the pricing of the WR-V crossover competitive to garner attention of the Indian customers. It has several tough rivals in the segment priced competitively. The premium crossover is priced between Rs. 7.75 lakh and Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) for two petrol and as many diesel variants. Its rival, the Ford EcoSport comes priced between Rs. 7.11 lakh and 10.69 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Therefore, the EcoSport is priced little pricier than the crossover.

Honda WR-V Price Ford EcoSport Price
Rs. 7.75 lakh – Rs. 9.99 lakh Rs. 7.11 lakh – Rs. 10.69 lakh

Honda WR-V vs Ford EcoSport Comparison Verdict

 

honda wr-v vs ford ecosportThe Honda WR-V is surely a very attractive SUV in the crossover and SUV segment of the Indian market. The premium crossover comes with an interesting design, upmarket features inside the cabin and efficient powertrain also. But if we compare it with the Ford EcoSport, the road ahead of the Honda WR-V is very tough as they are somewhat evenly matched. The EcoSport has already established itself in the Indian car market.

The compact SUV appears with an attractive design and impressive features. The safety measures it is equipped with are of pretty high grade. Most importantly, the powertrain lineup in the American SUV is undeniably a better proposition but Honda’s high mileage mantra may turn the tide towards WR-V. The power and performance are surely going to be a deciding factor for the customers who will compare these two cars as their next buy.

Now, if we see the pricing, the price range of the EcoSport may come a little higher than the crossover. But there’s not a huge difference there. And considering the features, powertrain and performance it is offering, the pricing of the EcoSport is justified till now and may well so for the WR-V. Finally, we can say that despite being an attractive model, task for the Honda WR-V won’t be easy in the Indian domestic market against the established EcoSport.

honda wrv vs ford ecosport comparsion3With proven engine lineup and good package of equipment and upmarket cabin, the WR-V will attract a big band of consumers but as its siblings like BR-V and Mobilio, it is waited to be seen whether its popularity will live long and if it does the EcoSport has a sizeable threat to worry about. Rest assured, the WR-V seems to have all the ingredients to make a good presence in the ever competitive compact SUV space.