2023 Honda WR-V coming for Raize, Stonic

There's a baby Honda crossover on the way, and it's coming real soon.

Honda Indonesia has started the countdown for the world debut of the WR-V, which will happen on November 2. The WR-V is the Honda crossover that will directly compete against the likes of the Toyota Raize and Kia Stonic in the small B-SUV class.

The upcoming crossover is based on the Honda SUV RS Concept, which was revealed back during the 2021 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). Earlier in the year, leaked images showed a production-ready version of the SUV RS Concept, which is why many are already expecting it won't take a long time before Honda officially unveils the WR-V.

The WR-V nameplate is not entirely new. Over in Brazil and India, the WR-V is a crossover based on the third-generation Honda Jazz and has been there since 2017. With the GK Jazz already out of production, the new model that will debut in Indonesia could also be the successor of the WR-V being sold in the Brazilian and Indian markets.

Of course, people will be curious as to what powertrain will the WR-V utilize. Based on the current Brazilian market WR-V, the crossover is using the 1.2-liter, four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC engine from the Brio, so there's a good chance the new WR-V could have the same powerplant. There's also a possibility to get the bigger naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC from the HR-V S, but we think it could be exclusive for the top-spec WR-V RS trim.

Fortunately, we won't have to wait long for the official specifications to come out, as there's less than a week left before the WR-V's reveal. The only question is, will the WR-V be offered in the Philippines? And if yes, when and how much? We hope to find out soon.