Honda is increasingly showing its dominance in the national automotive scene by making its global debut for the WR-V in Indonesia. In segmentation, the Honda WR-V plays in the Small SUV class, commensurate with the Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky, and many more. Looking at the dimensions and specifications, the Honda WR-V is even slightly different from the Kia Sonet.
What's the reason? This is because the Honda WR-V and Kia Sonet both have 1,500 cc engines. The dimensions are also 'only' a difference of 60 mm or 6 cm, where the Sonet is slightly longer than the WR-V. Before further comparing the specifications and features, let's first compare the prices of these two cars.
Kia Sonet 2022 Price:
- 1.5 L 5s PREMIERE IVT IDR 343,000,000
- 1.5 L 5s DYNAMIC IVT RP 318.000.000
- 1.5 L 5s SMART IVT IDR 300,500,000
- 1.5 L 5s SMART MT IDR 266,800,000
- 1.5 L 5s ACTIVE MT IDR 231,600,000
- 1.5 L 5s STANDARD RP 220,600,000
Honda WR-V is available in the following variants and prices:
- Honda WR-V Type E CVT at a price of Rp. 271,900,000*
- Honda WR-V CVT RS type with a price of Rp. 289,900,000*
- Honda WR-V Type RS CVT with Honda SENSE at a price of Rp. 309,900,000*
Comparing prices between the Kia Sonet Premiere IVT, the price difference reaches IDR 33.1 million. Is the Kia Sonet Premiere IVT so complete in the small SUV segment? Here is a comparison of the two.
Comparison of Dimensions and Specifications for Honda WR-V vs Kia Sonet
Questioning the dimensions it has, the Honda WR-V 2023 has a length of 4,060 mm, a width of 1,780 mm and a height of 1,608 mm. The wheelbase is 2,485 mm and the ground clearance is 220 mm.
The WR-V powertrain uses the same inline 4-cylinder L15ZF 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine used in the BR-V and the new City, and is only available in a CVT transmission. On paper, the WR-V 2023 is capable of producing up to 121 PS of power at 6,600 rpm with a peak torque of 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
Then the rival from the South Korean manufacturer, namely the Kia Sonet, has a length of 4,120 mm, width of 1,790 mm, height of 1,615 mm with a ground clearance of 205 mm. Regarding the Kia Sonet engine for Indonesia, the 1.5L engine is capable of producing 115 PS of power at 6,300 rpm with a peak torque of 144 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Powerful enough for such a big driver.
The engine is mated to a CVT Intelligent Variable Transmission transmission with eight-speed simulation to front-wheel drive. Interestingly, the driving character can be adjusted by selecting driving modes and traction.
Honda WR-V, Adopt a Combination Design of Several Previous Models
Looking at the design of the Honda WR-V, you will immediately be familiar with the latest car from PT Honda Prospect Motor, whose design adopts several Honda models that existed earlier. Design The back and dashboard are similar to the Honda BR-V and the front grille is similar to that of the Honda Civic.
Of course there are pluses and minuses to a design like this, where the advantage is that components can be substituted for each other in the event of an accident. Now, the minus is clear, the design that is characteristic even looks boring.
The front view of the Honda WR-V in this model comes with a front grille that carries a futuristic tesselated design with a thin, sharp and long LED front light. This car is also equipped with Sequential turn signals that are modern and make the WR-V's front appearance look attractive.
There is an Auto Headlight feature on the Honda WR-V RS with Honda SENSING, which is a headlight that can turn on automatically when lighting conditions are low. That was the exterior impression, what about the interior and comfort features in the Honda WR-V?
Compact Dimensions, Interior of the Honda WR-V Claimed to be the Most Relieved
Although in appearance the Honda WR-V looks slim, the cabin can provide a more comfortable and roomy space. Knee space is made wider, head space and leg room are made wider which Honda says is the largest in its class.
Materials in the interior of the Honda WR-V use a combination of leather and fabric seats and a center console box made of leather with armrests. The Honda WR-V types RS and RS with Honda SENSING have a seat back pocket storage compartment behind the front passenger seat and can also be found in the driver's seat, there are also a total of 6 water bottle holders and second row seats that can be folded up to 40:60.
Speaking of multimedia technology, the Honda WR-V is equipped with a 7" Capacitive Touchscreen Display Audio, AM/FM Radio, Bluetooth, Hands-Free Telephone, Voice Command Switch, USB Player, to Smartphone Connection. Other convenience supporting features include Digital A/C, 6 Speakers, Auto Foldable Door Mirror with LED Turning Signal, Meter Cluster with 4.2" TFT Display.
Safety Features in the Honda WR-V Won a Lot
With a much cheaper price, we are presented with the Honda WR-V type RS with Honda Sensing. Obviously, this active safety feature gives a sense of security when driving. Specifically for the Honda WR-V RS with Honda Sensing, this variant has additional features in the form of 6 Airbags (Dual Front SRS, Side & Side Curtain), Honda LaneWatch, TFT Meter with Honda SENSING information.
Questioning the Honda SENSING safety features found in the top variant of the WR-V 2023 includes; Collision Mitigation Brake System, Auto-High Beam, Lane Keeping Assist System, Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and finally Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Kia Sonet Design, European Combination with Indian Taste
Because the Kia Sonet is oriented towards western consumers, it tends to have European flavors with a combination of India. The Sonet is a mini SUV style with a wide and tall posture. The design is so distinctive with the honeycomb grille with Tiger Nose accents as the hallmark of KIA's new car which is marketed in the global market.
The HR-V headlamp design remains narrow, tapering to the edges, with an LED projector lamp that further emphasizes the impression of luxury. At the bottom, there is a white LED DRL that functions as a twilight and fog lamp at night.
The interior of the Kia Sonet is studded with luxury features
This Kia is not stingy and even extravagant in matters of features in the Kia Sonet that enter Indonesia. The interior is treated to an 8-inch touchscreen head unit connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connectivity can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth wireless alias.
Another feature available in the cabin is digital AC settings. The Premiere type also provides ventilated seats, which allow fresh air to flow through a series of thin holes in the back and buttocks. This highest variant is also equipped with electric seats and cruise control.
No less interesting is the sound system on the Kia Sonet, because it uses Bose with four speakers, two tweeters and one subwoofer. And one cool feature that the Honda WR-V doesn't have, but the Sonet does, is the sunroof.
Discussing the safety features of this car, Kia offers a 5-seater Sonet with 6 Airbags, ABD, EBD, Hill Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Control, and a rear camera with dynamic guidance. But you have to remember, the Kia Sonet itself hasn't got safety features with today's leading technology that we know as ADAS.
Conclusion
Judging by its shape, the Sonet is slightly bigger, but slightly shorter in terms of ground clearance than the WR-V. The difference in dimensions is slightly different, but it will have an impact on the spaciousness of the Sonet's cabin which is wider. Naturally, with such dimensions, Kia Indonesia also released the Sonet 7, which has a 5+2 seat configuration.
Sonet can be proud of its far more interesting comfort features, with the presence of a sunroof and an audio system supported by the well-known BOSE brand. However, speaking of aspects of performance and safety features, the WR-V is superior because it already has Honda Sensing and the price is much cheaper than the Sonet Premiere IVT.
Quoting a friend who is quite an expert on cars, buying a Honda car is buying features. This can be interpreted because Honda is able to make cars with a combination of complete features and competitive prices. Weaknesses that are often found are only in the build quality of the body material or interior plastic which tends to be less sturdy.
