Triple Threat: Toyota Raize vs. Honda WR-V vs. Kia Stonic
How does the Honda WR-V stack up against the Toyota Raize, Kia Stonic?
The mini crossover market continues to grow after Honda's recently launched all-new WR-V. Essentially the brand's smallest crossover yet, it's set to take on the likes of the Toyota Raize and the Kia Stonic.
While it has yet to officially arrive in the Philippine market, we already have the specifications for the Indonesian market. With that, it's time for another round of spec-check. But instead of just comparing with just one adversary, we decided to make it into a three-way comparo.
That's right, it's time to compare the Honda WR-V versus the Toyota Raize versus the Kia Stonic.
Measuring up
Let's start by rolling out the measuring tape for each vehicle. Beginning with the newly-launched WR-V, Honda's newest crossover comes in at 4060mm long, 1780mm wide, and 1608mm tall. It also has a 2485mm wheelbase and an impressive 220mm ground clearance which is only 5mm less than the Xpander MPV's ground clearance.
The Toyota Raize measures 4030mm long, 1710mm wide, and 1605mm tall. Despite being shorter in length, the Raize has a longer wheelbase than the WR-V at 2525mm. When it comes to ground clearance, the Raize is only rated at 200mm.
Last but not least is the Kia Stonic. At 4100mm long, the Stonic is the longest crossover in this comparo. It also has a width of 1735mm which makes it wider than the Toyota Raize. But with a height of just 1533mm, the Korean crossover is the shortest when it comes to height. The Stonic does bounce back thanks to a generous 2570mm wheelbase which makes it the best-in-class. Unfortunately, the Stonic's ground clearance is only 185mm.
Looking at the figures, the WR-V was able to one-up the competition thanks to its tall ground clearance and wide body. However, the Stonic retaliated with its sheer length and long wheelbase for better cabin comfort and space. As for the Raize, the humble Toyota serves as a middle-ground choice in this comparison.
Jam-packed with amenities and luggage space
They may be seen as budget crossovers, but vehicles like the Honda WR-V, Toyota Raize, and the Kia Stonic come with plenty of in-car amenities and creature comforts. More importantly, they also must have generous luggage space at the back.
For starters, the Kia Stonic gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the board. All variants are also fitted with a 6-speaker sound system, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, fabric seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry. It does come with automatic climate control but it's reserved only for the top-spec EX (lesser variants come with regular air-conditioning). A seat-height adjuster is also available on the Stonic but again, it's limited to the EX only.
Next is the Toyota Raize which is available with either a 9-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Despite the size difference, both screens come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Depending on the variant, however, the Raize is available with a 4-speaker or 6-speaker sound system. Other features like 60:40 split-folding rear seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry are available, too. Fabric seats come as standard on lower variants while the Turbo is the only model to come with leather-fabric upholstery. In addition, it's also available with a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, push-button start, intelligent keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
With the WR-V serving as the newest competitor in the segment, Honda came out swinging and made sure all variants have plenty to offer. All models have a 7-inch touchscreen system complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A choice between a 6-speaker and 4-speaker sound system is available, depending on the model. Automatic climate control is standard on the RS variants while the base model is only fitted with a digital aircon system. Like the Raize, the WR-V is available with either leather-fabric seats or fabric seats in entry-level variants. Other available amenities in the WR-V include a push-button start system, intelligent keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 2nd-row charging points, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, and steering wheel audio controls.
Last but not least is luggage space, and the WR-V has both the Raize and Stonic beat thanks to its generous 380-liter capacity. The Raize comes in second place with 369 liters while sitting in third place is the Stonic which only comes with 325 liters of space.
When it comes to cabin features, it looks like all three crossovers are evenly-matched. Sure, some of the amenities are available only on high-end variants, but that's to be expected since automakers have to price them just right, depending on the buyer.
Turbo vs N/A
All of the crossovers in this particular comparo are powered by small-capacity engines that promise to be fuel efficient but also deliver enough pep to keep the vehicle going. But while most go for the naturally-aspirated approach, downsized turbocharged motors are starting to become the norm.
Beginning with the Toyota Raize, the top-of-the-line version makes use of a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo. While it may not sound like much, this particular engine actually produces a healthy 98 PS at 6000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque between 2400 to 4000 rpm. Lesser variants, on the other hand, come with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that puts out a humble 88 PS at 6000 rpm with 113 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. A choice between a 5-speed manual or a CVT is available on the Raize.
For those who prefer a little more oomph but don't like going turbo, the Kia Stonic has a 1.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. Since it has a slightly bigger displacement than Raize's 1.2-liter motor, it makes 100 PS (95 PS in the manual) at 6000 rpm and 134 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. No CVTs here as the Stonic only comes with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual select.
While the Stonic may have the Raize beat, the WR-V trounces both crossovers when it comes to sheer power. Using the 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine of the Honda City, the all-new WR-V produces 121 PS at 6600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm. High-end variants come with a CVT while the lesser models are coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The turbocharged Raize may have the benefit of forced induction, but the WR-V was still able to clinch the top spot when it comes to making the most out of engine displacement. In addition, the Honda WR-V is the only vehicle in this comparison that is available with a 6-speed manual which could give it an edge when it comes to highway cruising for those who still prefer to row their own.
Safety First
One of the important aspects of buying a vehicle is the number of safety features available. Despite being budget-friendly crossovers, the Kia Stonic, Toyota Raize, and Honda WR-V are packed with safety kits. But which of them comes with the most?
All variants of the Toyota Raize in the country are equipped with anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, as well as hill-start assist. All variants are also fitted with dual front airbags, with the top-of-the-line Turbo getting extra side and curtain airbags. High-grade variants even come with a reverse camera, and front/ rear parking sensors. Giving drivers some peace of mind while on the road are blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert which are exclusive only to the Turbo model.
Over to the Stonic, all models are equipped with a reverse camera with the top-spec model benefiting rear parking sensors. Dual front airbags are also standard equipment across the range including anti-lock brakes. Unfortunately, electronic stability control and hill-start assist are only exclusive to the range-topping 1.4 EX A/T.
As for the WR-V, it's been fitted with Honda Sensing on the top-of-the-line RS model. This gives the humble crossover intelligent driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking system, auto high-beam, road departure mitigation, and lead car departure notification. Honda LaneWatch is even available in the RS version of the WR-V. Other safety kits like hill-start assist, vehicle stability assist, rear parking sensors, brake override system, and a multi-view reverse camera are equipped as standard across all variants. A total of 4 airbags are fitted on lesser models while the top-spec RS with Sensing carries 6 airbags in total.
Given the long list of available safety equipment on the WR-V across the range, Honda's newest crossover is packed to the brim. Meanwhile, the Raize is also generously equipped albeit most of the good stuff is only available in the Turbo variant. Lastly, the Stonic comes with basic safety features, albeit some were omitted in the lesser variants which buyers should take notice of.
Should the Raize and Stonic worry?
The Honda WR-V may be late to the mini crossover party. But based on what the brand revealed recently in Indonesia, the Toyota Raize and Kia Stonic might see some stiff competition from Honda. With its tall ground clearance, wide body, generous cargo space, powerful 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, and a long list of available features and safety kits, the WR-V could disrupt the segment being dominated by Toyota and Kia.
Perhaps the only hurdle Honda will have to face should they launch it here in the Philippines is pricing. Since Honda vehicles are usually more expensive than its closest competitors, the automaker will have to carefully price the WR-V if ever they decided to make it available here in the local market.
Do you think the Honda WR-V will prove to be a worthy competitor against the Kia Stonic and Toyota Raize? Let us know in the comments.
