Upcoming 2026 Honda WR-V Spotted in Brazilian Testing
The latest iteration of the Honda WR-V is making its way to Brazil. Evidence? Recent spy photos captured by Thiago Moreno, Assistant Editor at Motor1.com Brazil, while driving on the Bandeirantes Highway near São Paulo. The heavily camouflaged prototype offers a glimpse into what Honda’s new compact SUV will bring to the South American market.
Filmed under low light conditions, the SUV shares a similar silhouette with the Honda Elevate, a compact SUV available in India and other parts of Asia. At the back, the vehicle features LED lighting that aligns with its competitors. The darkness also allowed for a clear view of the LED headlights.
Interior Features and Design
Visibility into the cabin was limited due to the lighting, but a prominent large multimedia screen stood out. Unlike the systems in the Honda City and HR-V, this screen is positioned high on the dashboard and operates independently from the center console. It appears to be the same 10.25-inch horizontal display used in the Elevate model for the Indian market.
The new WR-V measures 14.1 feet in length, 5.9 feet in width, and 5.4 feet in height, with a wheelbase of 8.7 feet. It offers a trunk space of 16.1 cubic feet and has an 8.6-inch ground clearance. For comparison, the previous version was 13.3 feet long, 5.7 feet wide, and 5.3 feet high, with an 8.4-foot wheelbase and a 12.8 cubic feet trunk.
Market Position and Competition
Upon its release in Brazil, the new WR-V is expected to bridge the gap between the City Hatch and HR-V, strengthening Honda’s foothold in the competitive compact SUV segment. This strategy mirrors Volkswagen’s approach of offering multiple models within the same category, such as the Nivus and T-Cross.
Advanced Features and Technology
In markets like India and Japan, the WR-V is equipped with advanced safety and convenience features, including a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure warning, and automatic high beam assist. Additionally, it supports wireless smartphone charging and integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wireless connectivity.
Production and Investment Plans
Honda has confirmed the launch of the WR-V, positioning it as a competitor to the Toyota Yaris Cross, with availability expected in the latter half of 2025. All production will take place at the Itirapina plant, located northwest of São Paulo. The WR-V is the first model to emerge from Honda’s planned R$4.2 billion (approximately $1 billion) investment in Brazil from 2024 to 2030. This investment will also support the introduction of a new hybrid flex model, an updated HR-V, and increased production capacity, leading to job creation.
