Honda WRV vs Honda Jazz - a comprehensive comparison!

Honda Car India’s new offering – the WRV crossover, is the latest addition to the carmaker’s portfolio in the country. The WRV is basically a spruced up version of the Jazz. As a result, it shares various components with the hatchback, including the engine options, interior layout as well as some exterior design elements. This can surely confuse a few potential buyers and thus make it difficult to make a final decision. The fact that the two cars will likely be priced in close proximity further enhances the level of confusion they can pose to anyone looking for a new vehicle in the segment.

Hence, it is important to understand the differences between the two cars, which will help customers to decide which car to opt for. This is where we try to offer you a comprehensive comparison between the WRV and the Jazz.

WRV vs Jazz – Design comparison

The WRV gets some comprehensive design updates as compared to the Jazz. The front features the biggest change, thanks to a vertical nose that is characterized by a wide grille and a chrome bar in the center. The grille is flanked on either side by new headlamp clusters that get LED DRLs on the top-end trim. We believe that Honda could also have offered projectors in the top trim level, especially since most of its competitors get one. The hood is also completely new and gets slightly raked up angle, instead of the Jazz’s snooping line. This helps in giving the car an upright and bold face, something that is important for a crossover’s stance.

Moving to the side, the fact that the WRV has essentially been derived from the Jazz becomes apparent. The cross hatch comes with the same door panels, windows, and quarter glasses, which come together to make it look like a raised iteration of the Jazz. The revised fascia does help in bringing some freshness to the sides as well, while the body cladding on the wheel arches, larger 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and prominent roof rails also help in enhancing the Honda WRV’s crossover looks.

The rear end too has been given some tweaks to make the car stand out from its hatchback sibling. The WRV gets a longer hatch door, with the number plate housing moved a bit downward. The taillights are now split-section units, with the stop lamp extending onto the tailgate. The famous vertical reflector of the Jazz that was mounted on the D-pilar has been eliminated from the WRV’s rear profile, which gets a blacked out area instead. The rear bumper also houses wide black cladding and a faux silver skid plate.

Honda WRV vs Jazz – Interiors comparison

Interiors of the WRV have essentially the same layout that is found on the Jazz. The Honda WRV interiors gets an all black dashboard with some silver inserts thrown around to liven the ambiance. The center console is slightly twisted towards the driver, similar to that of the Jazz. This offers a driver-oriented feel, which becomes a lot more pronounced once you sit in the driver seat. The steering is also a straight lift from the Jazz, though it gets a few added buttons on the right spoke for the cruise control, which is available only on the top-end diesel model.

Must Read: Honda WR-V Sales figures

There’s ample space in the rear of the WRV, and the overall experience is similar to that of the Jazz. However, there is one party piece missing – the rear bench doesn’t get the popular magic seats of the Jazz. Presence of magic seats on the hatchback was considered to be one of the biggest USPs of the cars. But strangely, Honda believes that it isn’t of much use and has thus eliminated it from the WRV crossover. But what’s more alarming is the fact that the car doesn’t even get split seats. That is a pure disappointing elimination on Honda’s part.

The WR-V also gets some new seat upholstery. There are two upholstery options: Black & Silver on the top-end model and Black & Bluish Grey on the lower trims. The fabric quality is nice. Honda has also added some similar pattern fabric inserts on the door pads that manage to reduce the visual bulk.

The WRV also gets a new touchscreen infotainment system, which Honda calls the DigiPad. This is the same unit that was found on the recently launched Honda City facelift. This system comes with MirrorLink connectivity, voice commands, three-angle rearview camera, and navigation. The Jazz, however, comes with a basic touchscreen unit without any smartphone mirroring compatibility.

Honda WRV vs Honda Jazz – Specifications comparison

Honda WRV vs Jazz – Dimensions comparison