Honda recently launched the WR-V in India and the idea is to take on the king of the ring, the Maruti-Suzuki Vitara Brezza which has already become the bestseller in the segment. While the Honda is available in both petrol and diesel variants, the Vitara Brezza only comes with a diesel option. So it was apt to pitch these two competitors against each other to find out which one is the better one.

Design:

The WR-V utilises the Jazz platform and as a result at the base of it, it is a hatch. However Honda has worked hard to give it a slightly different look and not just add some plastic claddings all around. So the front end is new and comes with a rather large grille and big headlamps.

The dash is borrowed from the Jazz. Note the new infotainment device. Its one of the best in business. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) The dash is borrowed from the Jazz. Note the new infotainment device. Its one of the best in business. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

In profile the WR-V looks more purposeful than the hatchback it is based on. This is because the suspension has been worked on and ground clearance has increased to 188mm. The wheelbase has also been stretched and as a result stands at 2,555mm. At the back the tail gate is new and the lamps are too. Overall the WR-V looks more like a crossover rather than a proper SUV.

Clocks are comprehensive. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) Clocks are comprehensive. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

The Maruti-Suzuki Vitara Brezza boasts of a new age design and combines compactness and style together. The Brezza is based on Suzuki's Global C-platform which also serves the European Grand Vitara. So with an SUV in its genes, the Brezza looks and feels proper. The front end is bold complete with a chrome grille and sleek projector headlamps. In profile the Brezza looks good thanks to the blacked out pillars which envisage a floating roof design. At the back to the design is very proportionate and overall thanks to the short overhangs, the Brezza does look like a proper SUV.

The Brezza too gets equivalent features and a spacious dash. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) The Brezza too gets equivalent features and a spacious dash. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

Keen eyes will also spot this particular Brezza to be slightly different from the regular ones. This is primarily because our Brezza is kitted out with extra fender flares, decal kit and other plastic claddings. These accessories were recently introduced by Maruti-Suzuki and one can access them via a program called 'i-create'.

The colours on the IP can be changed. IP is comprehensive too. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) The colours on the IP can be changed. IP is comprehensive too. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

Interiors:

The WR-V shares its interior trim and panels with the Jazz as well. The dash is identical and offers a plethora of storage spaces. We especially like the units placed in front of the air-con vents. Just helps keep beverages cool on the go. The centre console comes with Honda's new Digipad infotainment system and we must say that this is one of the best units available in the market today. It can be utilised not just to listen to music or as a sat nav but can also read emails and messages. It also comes with multiple USB points and even an HDMI input. Fantastic. The clocks are the same as seen on the Jazz and are simple and comprehensive at the same time.

What we love about the WR-V is the amount of space it offers within the cabin. The cabin can seat five in comfort and then there is a big boot too. The seats and the driving position on the WR-V though is much like a hatch. It will also be apt to mention here that top-of-the-line WR-V variants get a sunroof.

The Vitara Brezza feels like a proper SUV. The WR-v is lighter to drive and feels more like a hatch. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) The Vitara Brezza feels like a proper SUV. The WR-v is lighter to drive and feels more like a hatch. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

The interiors of the Brezza feel surprisingly familiar. There are two glove compartments and next to these sits the large touchscreen display which also offers sat nav and Apple CarPlay. Right below the screen sits the control panel for the climate control system. The buttons are large and rather easy to use. The steering is from the Maruti-Suzuki parts bin and also incorporates controls for audio, Bluetooth and cruise control. The instrument panel is a twin pod affair and at the same time offers up to five display colour options.

When it comes to space the Brezza sure feels compact. However the seats are comfortable for both short trips and long distance driving. We also liked the driving position which is high much like what should be in a SUV. At the back the Brezza does not feel as spacious.

Photo: Nishant Jhamb Photo: Nishant Jhamb

Engine:

Powering the WR-V is Honda's extremely efficient 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. It churns out 100bhp and 200Nm of torque and transfers power to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual box. The WR-V weighs in at 1,204kg and that means it offers a power to weight ratio of 83bhp/tonne.

6-speed box on the diesel variant. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) 6-speed box on the diesel variant. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

The Brezza makes use of the bulletproof 1.3-litre diesel engine churning out 90bhp and 200Nm of torque. The Brezza also uses a 5-speed gearbox which sends power to the front wheels only. Power to weight ratio for the Brezza though stands at 75bhp/tonne which is marginally lower than the WR-V.

Photo: Nishant Jhamb Photo: Nishant Jhamb

So on paper the Brezza is slightly less powerful than the WR-V. But how does that translate on the drive? Let's find out.

Drive Quality:

The WR-V feels powerful to drive right from the word go and that is because of the linear power delivery offered by the engine. This makes the WR-V more driveable in the city where there is a reduced need for gear changes. It also comes handy on the highway as a gentle dab of the accelerator pedals allows the WR-V to gather speed pretty rapidly. The gearbox too feels crisp though the gear lever itself could have been a bit longer. The WR-V though feels noisier within the cabin. The crackle of the diesel engine prominently seeps into the cabin making thing unpleasant at higher rev ranges.

5-speed box on the Brezza. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) 5-speed box on the Brezza. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

Honda should work on the NVH packaging on the WR-V and improve it. It will also be apt to mention here that the WR-V feels much lighter to drive than the Brezza. The steering is lighter and one does not feel the weight of the car much. The steering set up is also quicker and this makes the WR-V very flickable. The ride quality is good and bumps are ironed out well. Around corners, the WR-V feels more confident.

The Brezza suffers from the same trait as other Maruti-Suzuki cars powered by this engine. There is lag till the 1,800rpm range after which the turbo is ready to unleash power and from then on the Brezza gathers speed rapidly. This also means that in case you have not downshifted and you let the rpm drop below 1,800rpm, progress is not as rapid. The only solution is to drop down a gear and allow the revs to rise and then you are good to go. However on the highway it is not much of a bother as speeds are relatively higher and this means that this kind of situation will be rare.

The WR-V benefits from a longer wheelbase as compared to the Vitara Brezza. But the Brezza offers more headroom and kneeroom. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) The WR-V benefits from a longer wheelbase as compared to the Vitara Brezza. But the Brezza offers more headroom and kneeroom. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

The Brezza on the move also feels a bit heavy as compared to the WR-V and that is a typical SUV trait. The steering is heavier and making a three-point turn would be a little more tiresome as compared to the WR-V. However the Brezza offers a suspension which is well suited to SUVs. There is barely any rough stuff which shakes it off. But on the downside, the Brezza feels stiffer and jolts do pass on to the cabin.

Verdict:

The Honda WR-V is a more serious crossover interpretation of a hatch. It comes with a redesigned front end and reworked suspension. The ground clearance has increased as well. It also utilises a bigger engine than the Brezza and also offers a 6-speed gearbox as compared to the 5-speed unit seen on the Brezza. The WR-V is also lighter to drive as compared to the Vitara Brezza.

There is also more room up front in the Brezza. Where the WR-V scores more is in the boot space category. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb) There is also more room up front in the Brezza. Where the WR-V scores more is in the boot space category. (Photo: Nishant Jhamb)

But overall the Maruti-Suzuki Vitara Brezza emerges as a better package. It offers more space within, gives the feel of driving a SUV and at the same time is cheaper to buy. Where the Vitara Brezza could and should improve is warranty. Looking at various factors, Maruti-Suzuki should be confident enough to do so. This will offer further assurance to buyers.

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