The Indian crossover market is seeing increasing interest, from customers as well as manufacturers. This segment has a wide range of models, which makes it difficult for prospective customers to make a choice. So we have compared the Honda WRV and the Maruti Vitara Brezza to see which comes out to be the winner. This comparison has been framed after a comprehensive drive of the two compact SUVs over the past 1 week.
The Maruti Brezza (Vitara Brezza) has been leading the segment ever since its launch last year. It is currently the best selling UV in the country, with more than 12,000 units sold every month. These sales figures become a lot more interesting when you consider the fact that the Vitara Brezza is available only with a single powertrain option, as opposed to multiple engines seen on other cars in this segment.
MUST READ: Everything you need to know about the Honda WRV
On the other hand, the Honda WRV was considered to be an underdog when it was launched. However, the small hatch cross has managed to surprise many people, including Honda. The Japanese manufacturer sells over 4,500 units of the WRV every month. The company didn’t even expect such demand for the WRV, and was thus not prepared for such customer interest. Seeing a spike in sales, Honda has decided to increase production of the WRV to meet the demand.
Owing to their respective qualities and limitations, the Maruti Brezza and the Honda WRV form great contention for all customers. However, deciding a clear winner can be tricky as both of them have some qualities as well as certain loopholes in their overall package. This is where we come in! We have comprehensively driven the two compact SUVs to give you a verdict as to what should be the ideal choice for you, depending on your personality and requirements.
So here’s our comprehensive comparison – Honda WRV vs Maruti Brezza.
Honda WRV vs Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza – Price comparison
In order to do a transparent price comparison between the Maruti Brezza and Honda WRV, it is important to note that the WRV is available with both petrol and diesel engine options, while the Vitara Brezza is offered only with a diesel power plant. For the petrol version, the Honda WRV prices range from Rs 7.75 lakh to Rs 8.99 lakh. On the other hand, the diesel variants cost Rs 8.79 lakh to 9.99 lakh. However, Maruti has managed to price the Vitara Brezza more aggressively, with prices ranging from Rs 7.26 lakh to Rs 9.70 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).
| Price comparo | Honda WRV | Maruti Vitara Brezza |
| Petrol | Rs. 7.75-8.99 lakh | – |
| Diesel | Rs. 8.79-9.99 lakh | Rs. 7.26-9.70 lakh |
Honda WRV vs Maruti Brezza – Dimensions Comparison
In terms of size, the Honda WRV and Maruti Brezza are fairly close to each other. This is due to the fact that both of these compact SUVs have been designed to be under 4 metres in length, in order to take advantage of the lower excise price bracket. However, the Brezza has been developed as a compact SUV from scratch, while the WRV is essentially a spruced up version of the Jazz hatchback.
As a result, the Honda WRV is 3,999 mm long, 1,734 mm wide and 1,601 mm tall. The Vitara Brezza is 5 mm shorter, 56 mm wider and 39 mm taller than its Honda competitor. The Honda WRV gets a longer wheelbase spanning 2,555 mm (55 mm more than the Brezza), while the Vitara Brezza has a 198 mm ground clearance (10 mm more than that of the Honda WRV).
Consequently, the Maruti Vitara Brezza looks more SUV-ish, as compared to the Honda WRV, which appears to be a raised hatchback. Honda has tried to beef things up by heavily modifying the front of the WRV, though it doesn’t match the visual appeal that the Maruti Brezza offers.
| Dimensions | Honda WRV | Maruti Vitara Brezza |
| Length | 3,999 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,734 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,601 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,555 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 188 mm | 198 mm |
Honda WRV vs Maruti Brezza – Specifications comparison
In the engine department, comparing the Honda WRV and the Maruti Brezza is a tricky affair. This is because of the fact that while the Honda WRV is offered with both petrol and diesel engines, the Vitara Brezza only gets a diesel powerplant. Hence, if you are looking for a petrol compact SUV, the Honda WRV clearly wins the battle with no competition from the Vitara Brezza. However, Maruti Suzuki has indeed taken notice of this missing engine option, as the company is said to be working on the Vitara Brezza petrol variant that will be launched in the near future.
On the other hand, both cars in our comparison come with diesel engines, which are fairly distinct from each other. On paper, the Honda WRV clearly has an advantage over the Maruti Brezza, thanks to its larger and more powerful engine. In the real life, this power difference becomes a lot more apparent. The Honda WRV is a better car to drive, in most situations. It offers better city driveability, thanks to aptly spaced lower gear ratios, while highway drives in the WRV will also be a lot more confidence inspiring, owing to the higher power output available across the revv range.
It is worth noting that the Vitara Brezza’s 1.3-litre DDiS engine can nowhere be termed as lethargic or under-performing. But it justs lacks the higher grunt and driveability that the Honda’s 1.5-litre i-DTEC offers.
| Honda WRV | Maruti Vitara Brezza | |
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.5-litre Diesel | 1.3-litre Diesel |
| Power | 98 bhp | 89 bhp |
| Torque | 200 Nm | 200 Nm |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 6-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Mileage (claimed) | 25.5 km/l | 24.3 km/l |
Honda WRV vs Maruti Vitara Brezza – Exterior design comparison
In India, cars are much more than transportation medium. They are often considered to be a status symbol. As a result, it is important for a car to look pleasing and match the personality of its owner. Hence, it is important to compare the two compact SUVs in the looks department to give prospective customers some idea about their relative exterior designs.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
The Vitara Brezza is a smart looking car. Maruti designers have done an awesome job of maintaining the car’s SUV-ish stance, while keeping the overall length under 4 metres. Hence, it gets a satisfactory road presence.
At the front, the compact SUV from Maruti gets large and sharp headlamps with LED projectors and DRLs. The higher bonnet shut line, vertical nose, and beefy grille ensure that it gets the SUV-charisma on its face. The side profile is perfectly proportional, despite the car being under 4-metres in length. The squared wheel arches with body cladding, 5-spoke alloys and a dual-tone roof treatment help in enhancing the Brezza’s overall appeal.
Honda WRV
Honda has tried to give the WRV a significantly different look, as compared to the Jazz, on which it is based. As a result, the front fascia gets some bold design cues, including larger headlamps with LED DRLs, a wide chrome strip, more rugged bumper and a new bonnet as well. However, it still looks like a hatchback on steroids and doesn’t really manage to pull off the compact SUV look successfully.
The side profile is quintessentially a Jazz with some added ground clearance, new body cladding and prominent roof rails. Some changes have also been made to the rear, including a new tailgate, c-shaped taillights with LED inserts and a roof spoiler. However, despite these changes, the side and rear just don’t gel-up nicely with the bold new front. Hence, the Honda WRV lacks the visual charisma that the Maruti Vitara Brezza manages to pull-off.
Honda WRV vs Maruti Vitara Brezza
- Maruti Vitara Brezza
- Honda WRV
Autosite India ?Verdict
As is the case with all comparisons, there is no white-and-black answer in our verdict. Both companies, Maruti Suzuki and Honda Cars India, have done their best job in coming up with their respective compact SUVs. However, there are some major differences between the two models. Hence, each car is suited for a specific target audience.
However, if you ask for a broader winner, it will surely be the Maruti Vitara Brezza. It totally satisfies the ‘compact SUV’ name, offers more features, has an engine that will satisfy all basic needs, and also comes with Maruti Suzuki’s famed reliability.
On the other hand, the Honda WRV is focused more towards customers who want a better build quality and a more powerful engine. Moreover, if you are in the search of a petrol vehicle, the Honda WRV is the only option in this comparo, as the Maruti Brezza still lacks a petrol engine option.
So which one would you pick out of these two? Let us know in the comments section below.