Honda’s latest offering in the Asian market is the WR-V, a special edition designed with our furry friends in mind. This pet-friendly version of the Elevate, manufactured in India and exported to Japan, comes accessorized with Honda Dog gear, making it the perfect ride for pet owners.
At a recent fair in Tokyo celebrating the bond between people and their pets, Honda unveiled the WR-V decked out with dog-themed accessories. These include a special front passenger seat carrier capable of accommodating two small dogs, along with a gray pet door cover. The rear seats feature a pet seat circle suitable for small to medium-sized dogs, complete with leash anchorages. Inside, you can customize with additional stickers, while the exterior sports a distinctive black plastic grille, chrome accents around the lights and grille, and a unique ‘Honda Dog’ sticker on the doors. You can even opt for dog paw-themed aluminum wheel caps and key covers to complete the look.
Notably, the Honda Dog accessories have gained popularity in Japan, with even the renowned ‘Drift King’ Keiichi Tsuchiya decking out his Honda Odyssey with them. This isn’t Honda’s first foray into dog-friendly models; they previously showcased a Honda Element Concept in California back in 2009, featuring various canine-specific enhancements.
The WR-V shares many similarities with the Elevate, including the same 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, in Japan, only the CVT automatic variant is available. In March, Honda reported exporting 6,809 Elevate SUVs to Japan, indicating strong demand. In the Indian market, the Elevate competes with popular SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, and MG Astor. Additionally, an Elevate-based electric vehicle is slated for launch in India by 2026 under the ACE project, which stands for ‘Asian Compact Electric’.