Honda WR-V RS—the sportier variant of the discontinued WR-V SUV—has been spied completely undisguised on Indian roads, strongly hinting at an impending launch. Already on sale internationally (Indonesia spec), the RS trim brings Amaze-inspired front styling, sequential LED taillights, bold cladding and a 1.5L iVTEC engine, expected in India with a 1.2L Amaze unit by late 2026.
Honda WR-V RS Front Design: Amaze DNA
The spied WR-V RS mirrors third-gen Honda Amaze upfront:
- Headlights: Sharp LED units identical to Amaze.
- Grille: Chrome rectangular slats + garnish over black mesh.
- Bumper: Sporty with faux bash plate, black fog surrounds.
Elevated stance and SUV proportions distinguish it from sedan sibling.
Rear Design: Sequential LEDs + Bold Cladding
Tail-end complements aggressive front:
- Taillights: LED with sequential turn indicators.
- Cladding: Thick black plastic surrounds + sporty diffuser.
- RS badging: Signals performance-oriented trim.
Revives WR-V discontinued in India (April 2023) with modern flair.
Expected Powertrain Options
International (Indonesia) spec:
- 1.5L iVTEC petrol: Naturally aspirated, paired with 6MT or CVT.
India expectations:
- 1.2L petrol (like Amaze)—efficient for sub-compact SUV segment.
- Transmission: 5MT/AMT or CVT (TBD).
- Launch timeline: Late 2026.
Positions between Amaze and Elevate in Honda’s ICE lineup.
Honda WR-V RS vs Compact SUV Rivals
| Feature | Honda WR-V RS | Rivals |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2L/1.5L expected | Hyundai Venue 1.2L, Kia Sonet 1.2L |
| Design | Amaze-inspired + RS sporty | Venue/Sonet bolder |
| Price Expectation | ₹10–14L | Venue ₹8–15L |
| Unique | Sequential LEDs, cladding | Honda reliability |
Targets Venue, Sonet, Exter in sub-compact SUV space.
Launch Roadmap & What To Watch
- Spy shots confirm: Production-ready for India.
- Timeline: Late 2026 (post-Amaze 2026 refresh).
- Positioning: Below Elevate, above Amaze—Honda’s missing compact SUV link.
Honda WR-V RS fills gap left by 2023 discontinuation, bringing RS sportiness to masses.
