since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
THE latest Honda CR-V SUV (sport utility vehicle) has arrived, fully laden with more safety equipment and improved features in a newly designed styling package that’s bound to turn heads. It has grown bigger to complement the longer wheelbase and the top turbo model V comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.
And to celebrate Honda’s 75th anniversary and 20 years of local assembly for the CR-V, Honda Malaysia has offered the entry-level S model at RM157,900 on the road without insurance. This is RM2000 cheaper than the standard price and is available for 750 vehicles only.
The CR-V E goes for RM169,900 and CR-V V variant is priced at RM181,900. The price for the 2.0L e:HEV RS its flagship model, is at RM195,900.00 *1
Honda Malaysia (or the Company) today officially announced the price of its flagship model, the All-New CR-V e:HEV RS at RM195,900.00 *1. Introduced in December 2023 during the launch of the All-New CR-V, the e:HEV RS variant of ‘The Ultimate SUV’ further expands Honda Malaysia’s e:HEV lineup.
As it were, pre-launch bookings for one month had exceeded 2000 and Honda Malaysia is targeting a monthly volume of 1000, which is slightly higher than the monthly sales average for the previous model.
This is based on good market response to the previous CR-V that saw a 10-per cent year-on-year growth in sales for the first three quarters of 2023. This strong sales momentum has maintained the CR-V as the top seller in the non-national SUV segment.
Prices aside, the sixth-generation CR-V or Comfortable Runabout Vehicle easily justifies its higher premium status. It has fresh new looks, in particular the front with sleek LED (light emitting diode) headlamps and imposing front grille with a bold mesh pattern. The rear lamps are also LEDs.
The wheelbase is 41mm longer at 2701mm, the body is expanded by 7mm to 4691mm and it is 11mm wider at 1866mm. The latest CR-V is slightly shorter by 8mm at 1681mm. It has wider tracks too front and rear, and with more equipment on board, gained weight as well, averaging about 70kg, more or less, from 1598kg (S variant) to 1668 for the V all-wheel drive. The e:HEV, which would be available early next year, has more mechanical ancillary parts to be the heavyweight at 1735kg.
The turbocharged models (S, E and V) are continued with the power units from the previous model; a 1.5-litre (1498cc) DOHC VTEC unit that delivers 142kW (193PS) at 6000rpm and 243Nm from 1700-5000rpm (maximum torque now peaks earlier than the engine in the previous model that peaks at 2000rpm). This helps to maintain good acceleration performance to compensate for the vehicle weight gain.
The transmission continues to be the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to channel engine output to the front wheels for the S and E variants while the V model has engine power being apportioned according to the real-time all-wheel drive arrangement.
Honda says the sixth-gen CR-V accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 9.7 to 10.4 seconds, depending on models, which is almost a second slower than the previous models. Top speed is maintained at 200km/h while average fuel consumption ranges from 7.0L/100km (14.2km/l) (S and E variants) to 7.5L/100km (13.3km/l) for the V all-wheel drive.
With a longer body, rear luggage space is expanded to 589 litres with the rear seats up (against 522 litres for the previous model). However, with the rear seats folded down, the increase in space is 1072 litres while it was 1084 litres for the old. In any case, the extended space remains capacious enough.
The new CR-V is said to have a low loading height for easier loading and unloading of heavy items. Except for the S variant, the others come standard with the Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walkaway Close. How that works is that you put your foot under the bumper to open the tailgate and walk away to close it. So convenient!
All models come with the eight-way Driver Power Seat with a two-position memory. The longer body also means rear passengers enjoy better legroom as there is now 16mm more space. Rear passengers also enjoy greater comfort with sliding seats and seatrests that could recline at eight different angles.
The cabin experience is further enhanced with more equipment; additional front USB-C port, 9-inch Advanced Audo Display with Apple Carplay and Android Audio connectivity and a wireless charger. The V and e:HEV come with interior ambient lighting to reflect their higher status.
Honda was also quick to point out that the latest CR-V would set the benchmark for ‘active and safety performance in an SUV. For the first time, a Honda CKD model would come with eight airbags, with the inclusion of two knee bags, in Malaysia. Honda CONNECT is now standard for all models as well as the upgraded Honda SENSING system with wider angle radar, camera and sonar sensor.
The new CR-V comes in five body colour options, the new one being the Canyon River Blue Metallic that is seen to bring out the freshness and expanse of the latest model. The others are existing hues – Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteroid Gray Metallic and Ignite Red Metallic.
Honda sees the sixth-generation CR-V as the ‘Ultimate SUV’ as it believes it redefines the SUV market with a strong statement. And if the 2000-plus pre-launch orders are anything to go by, potential CR-V owners have fully subscribed to that grand aspiration.
*1On-the-road pricewithout insurance. Prices are subject to changewithout prior notice
