PLAYING it safe has its benefits; you may not reap as big a reward in the interim but you'll at least see steady earnings throughout.
When Honda Malaysia announced that it was retiring its rather popular Bold Runabout Vehicle (BR-V), reactions were mixed.
The sport utility vehicle (SUV) didn't really have a big "wow" factor compared to siblings but it filled the strategic role as the brand's B-segment seven-seater SUV priced below RM100,000.
It sold decently enough to have a following and was a practical choice for families on a budget.
However, the figures didn't exactly impress the company and the trend trajectory showed it was heading in a different direction.
This resulted in the introduction of the WR-V to penetrate a market segment where the BR-V could not.
And just like the announcement of the BR-V's exit, the WR-V's entry was not without some market scepticism. But it looks like the move, at least for now, is a win for Honda Malaysia.
COMPACT COASTER
The WR-V (Winsome Runabout Vehicle) was designed at the Honda Research and Development (R&D) Asia Pacific centre in Bangkok.
It comes in four variants, with all of them running on a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder DOHC engine with i-VTEC that's paired with a continuous variable transmission (CVT) with G-design shift technology.
The compact front-wheel drive SUV offers 119hp at 6,600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,300rpm.
It has a length of 4,060mm, width of 1,780mm and height of 1,608mm. It has a ground clearance of 207mm and 380 litres of boot space.
Its interior is Honda B-segment standard with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen system that supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two front USB ports, a multi-angle reverse camera, power retractable door mirrors, two rear parking sensors and the Honda LaneWatch blindspot camera system.
The base S variant features standard halogen headlamps, black fabric seats, digital air-conditioning and a MID instrument display, an urethane steering wheel, a basic two-speaker layout for the audio system, 16-inch five-spoke silver alloys and a micro pole antenna.
The standard safety features include four airbags, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, vehicle stability control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and hill start assist.
The E variant swaps out headlamps and micro pole for auto headlights and a shark fin antenna, respectively. It has remote engine start, walk-away auto lock, cruise control and two extra speakers in the interior. Its instrument cluster comprises two analogue dials separated by a 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display.
The variants have Honda Sensing, which offers lead car departure notification, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning and auto high beam.
The V variant switches out the E's front features for a full set of LEDs, including the headlights, daytime running lights, front fog lamps and front turn indicators.
The interior now has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. There's also a single-zone automatic climate control system and a rear centre armrest.
The top RS variant s defined by a mesh-style grille design with silver chrome, silver-painted lower garnish, and 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
Its upholstery is wrapped in synthetic leather and fabric combo with red stitching on the leather steering wheel, red trim on the dashboard inserts, and a slightly darker tone.
The RS is the only variant to feature a black headliner, with the others having theirs finished in grey. It is also the only variant to feature six airbags instead of the standard two.
Other RS-unique features include LED sequential turn signals, paddle shifters, alloy pedals, a six-speaker audio set-up and the Honda Connect telematics system.
The WR-V RS variant is priced at RM107,900 while the V, E and S variants go for RM99,900, RM95,900 and RM89,900, respectively.
LASTING LEGACY
Wipe away those tears, BR-V mourners. While the WR-V may be a new model with a new name, the compact SUV has its design firmly rooted in its predecessor's architecture.
It adopts the BR-V's platform, though tailored to be shorter and sportier, most notable in the A-pillar area.
For better or worse, it also roughly shares the same performance output on paper despite the sportier exterior.
Coincidence or not, swapping out the family-friendly seven-seater approach for the new sporty theme transforms the WR-V into a vehicle that exudes lifestyle at its peak.
The RS' design gives it a mini-4x4 vibe without the actual off-road capabilities, except for its slightly higher ground clearance. It just looks and feels fun to have by the beach as well as on city streets.
Before you write it off as a simple guilty pleasure, know that the only other actively sold model that could leave such an impression in today's market costs at least double the price of the WR-V.
The WR-V available in Malaysia is almost identical to the one offered in Thailand, with minor cosmetic differences at most.
We do receive the headlight adjuster as it is a mandatory requirement. This means we're missing out on the decorative roof rails on the RS variant, as well as a dual-tone colour scheme.
VERDICT
When first introduced to the WR-V, this writer wasn't entirely convinced by what was on paper. This impression lasted well until I finally got to see the model in the flesh.
Things changed after I got to drive and spend more time with it.
Strategy and luck greatly aided the WR-V because truth be told, it was going up against huge challenges.
Though is it the most affordable SUV in Honda Malaysia's lineup, the model, on paper once again, doesn't exactly have highflying performance nor is it of the affordable spectrum when compared to the competition.
And yet, there is no real competition because its rivals in the B-compact SUV segment, including its siblings, have a different design language or are much pricier.
By default, the vehicle is one of a kind. As proof of its appeal, the model became the second best-selling model for Honda Malaysia around the second and third month after its launch.
At least 60 per cent of the model's sales at the time reportedly consisted of the RS variant.
The compact SUV has successfully positioned itself to where it needs to be and Honda Malaysia's move to introduce the WR-V has paid off in a big way.