Honda has started pre-orders for the Honda WR-V in Japan, marking the debut of the ‘Winsome Runabout Vehicle’ nameplate in Honda’s domestic market. However, despite sharing the same name as the Malaysian-market WR-V, the Japanese version is more similar to the Indian-market Honda Elevate.

Compared to the Southeast Asian market WR-V, specifically our Malaysian version, the Indian market Elevate is a higher range B-segment car (India doesn’t sell the HR-V), with a longer 2,650 mm wheelbase, longer than even our HR-V (2,610 mm).

Prices have yet to be announced but since it’s only available with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC 4-cylinder, with no hybrid option, it will likely be cheaper than the Japanese market HR-V, which is sold there as the Vezel.

Confirmed features include rear air-conditioning vents, full suite of Honda Sensing advanced driving aids, and a 458-litre boot.

With the new generation CR-V too big and too expensive for Japan, Honda’s line-up of SUV models there is now down to just two – the Vezel and the ZR-V. The ZR-V is a right-hand drive version of the American market Honda HR-V, which shares no relation with our local market HR-V.

Closer to home, the Honda WR-V is sold in Malaysia in four variants, with prices ranging from RM 89,900 to RM 107,900, all powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine paired to a CVT-type automatic.

The higher range Honda HR-V is priced from RM 115,900 to RM 141,900. Three engine options are offered - a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC shared with the WR-V, a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo shared with the Civic, and a 1.5-litre two-motor full-hybrid shared with the City e:HEV RS.