2023 Honda WR-V 1.5 RS Review

In Malaysia's A-Segment SUV market, consumer demand for high ground clearance, practical space, and balanced features continues to rise, prompting many brands to introduce entry-level products in this segment. The 2023 Honda WR-V 1.5 RS, positioned by Honda for this market, features "high ground clearance + 6 airbags" as its core selling points while also ensuring fuel efficiency for daily commuting. This test drive focuses on evaluating its practicality, performance, and safety features to provide a reference for potential buyers.

The exterior design of the WR-V 1.5 RS continues Honda's family-style aesthetics, leaning toward a youthful and sporty look. The front features a large black honeycomb grille paired with silver front lip accents, offering high recognizability; the side profile showcases clean lines with 17-inch multi-spoke wheels paired with 215/55 R17 tires, complementing the 207mm minimum ground clearance to enhance the SUV stance. At the rear, the LED tail lights adopt a horizontal layout, while the rear bumper integrates black scratch-resistant materials and a silver skid plate for a harmonious overall visual effect. As for the lighting system, the car comes standard with automatic halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, and front and rear fog lamps. In daily use, the automatic headlights exhibit stable sensitivity, effectively switching based on light changes.

Inside, the WR-V 1.5 RS features a predominantly black interior theme. The dashboard is covered in soft-touch materials with silver accents, offering a texture that matches its class standards. The central console is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen that supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic audio functions, with simple and user-friendly operation logic. The instrument cluster features a digital multifunction display, clearly showing information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption. Standard features include keyless entry/start, rain-sensing wipers, a single sunroof (with a sunshade), and rear air conditioning vents, which enhance everyday convenience. However, the front air conditioning uses manual controls, which is slightly disappointing. The seats are made of fabric material, offering decent support for front occupants. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split to expand the trunk space.

In terms of space, the WR-V 1.5 RS offers a wheelbase of 2485mm and dimensions of 4060/1780/1608mm (L/W/H). The front seating space is ample; with a 175 cm tall passenger, there is still one fist of headroom after adjusting the seating position. Rear legroom measures about two fists, while headroom is one fist, making it adequate for daily family use. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 380L, and folding the rear seats allows for accommodating larger items, showcasing strong practicality. For storage, the front door pockets can hold two bottles of water, while the central armrest and glovebox offer moderate capacity. There is also a 220V/230V power outlet in the front row for convenient external device connectivity.

For performance, the WR-V 1.5 RS is powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 121PS (6000rpm) and a maximum torque of 145N·m (4800rpm), paired with a CVT transmission. During everyday driving, the initial power response is smooth, and the CVT transmission ensures seamless acceleration without noticeable jerks. When stepping on the gas pedal harder, the engine's power output becomes more prominent above 4000rpm, requiring prior planning for overtaking maneuvers. The vehicle offers two driving modes: Normal and Eco. In Eco mode, throttle response becomes softer, making it more suitable for daily commuting.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the front MacPherson independent suspension effectively filters out most fine vibrations when dealing with urban bumpy roads. However, the rear seats feel slightly bouncy when passing over speed bumps. At high speeds, the vehicle’s stability is good, the steering wheel has moderate weight and minimal play, and daily handling is agile. In terms of braking, the brake pedal travel is linear, the braking force is evenly distributed, and the vehicle maintains stability during emergency braking. Regarding fuel consumption, the city congestion conditions resulted in an average fuel consumption of about 7.2L per 100 kilometers, while on highways it was about 5.8L. The combined fuel consumption is close to the official figure of 6L/100km, showcasing decent fuel efficiency.

Safety features are a highlight of the WR-V 1.5 RS, which comes standard with 6 airbags (front dual airbags, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags), ABS, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and forward collision warning. During the test drive, the forward collision warning system issued timely alerts when following too closely, and the autonomous emergency braking intervened effectively at low speeds (around 30km/h) when encountering obstacles, enhancing driving safety. However, the car is not equipped with a reversing camera, relying solely on front parking sensors, which may be slightly inconvenient for new drivers.

In terms of driving comfort, the noise control of the WR-V 1.5 RS is average. Wind noise and tire noise are noticeably transmitted into the cabin at high speeds but do not affect normal conversation. The seat support is moderate, and extended sitting may cause mild back fatigue. Overall, it meets the demands of daily urban commuting and short family trips in terms of comfort.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2023 Honda WR-V 1.5 RS lie in its high ground clearance of 207mm, comprehensive six-airbag safety configuration, and practical interior space. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Perodua Ativa 1.0T, its safety features are more comprehensive, though its power output and technological features are slightly inferior. This car is suitable for family users who value driving safety and need to handle unpaved roads (such as country roads) or young consumers looking for a vehicle for daily commuting and occasional weekend trips. If you pursue balanced practicality and safety assurance, the WR-V 1.5 RS is worth considering.