Honda CR-V

2019 Honda CR-V Malaysia is still the most practical family SUV in its class. Priced from RM 138,308 to RM 163,191, the Honda CR-V Malaysia is more expensive than a Proton X70, but the lighter CR-V offers better performance. It’s a lot more fuel-efficient too. Inside, the Honda CR-V Malaysia is still the most spacious in its class. It doesn’t feel as expensive or handles as well as a Mazda CX-5 but as an overall package, it’s pretty good.

Design

The Honda CR-V’s biggest market is the US and its size is a reflection of it. The current generation model is now even bigger. Whether is that a good thing or not depends on your driving needs. One thing is for sure – it’s not the prettiest looking. That honour goes to the Mazda CX-5.

Dimensions

The Honda CR-V measures quite big. Measuring 4,584 mm long, the Honda CR-V is longer than a Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5. At 1,855 mm wide, the CR-V is also wider than any of its rivals. 

Space and Practicality

Like all Honda cars, the Honda CR-V offers class-leading interior space and practicality – hallmarks of Honda’s man maximum, machine minimum philosophy. Legroom, headroom, should room, are better than any of its peers.

The centre console box is big enough for a ladies’ handbag. The 522-litre boot is not just the biggest, but has a low and wide opening for easy loading/unloading.

Downsides include the lack of lights for the vanity mirror while cabin materials, including the leather seats, don’t feel as expensive as a Mazda CX-5 or even a Proton X70.

The highlight of the Honda CR-V is its Honda Sensing advanced driving aids (ADAS) feature. Of course, it’s not the only SUV to come with this feature as both the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5 have it too. The difference is that the one in the Honda CR-V is more sophisticated and works better in our local driving conditions.

The Honda CR-V’s Sensing’s Adaptive Cruise Control also comes with Low-Speed Follow, which none of its competitors have. It also adds Lane Keeping Assist, which the Proton X70 lacks (warning only, without steering assistance). The Honda CR-V’s Sensing is also capable of detecting child pedestrians.

However, the Honda CR-V lacks a 360-degree parking camera, which the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5 have.

It also doesn’t have blind spot monitor but LaneWatch serves the same purpose, albeit only on the passenger’s side. However, LaneWatch works much better than regular blind-spot monitors. Since it sends live video feed, it’s extremely useful in the rain at night, when the windows and side mirrors are blurred. It also doesn’t give false alarms like blind-spot monitors.

The infotainment supports Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and it offers one of the best integration we’ve seen. When you run Waze/Google Maps, the digital meter cluster even shows a distance to next turn indicator.

You also get rear air-conditioning vents, which you don’t get in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Engine

There are two engine options. The entry variant’s 2.0-litre’s naturally aspirated i-VTEC is the older engine while the newer direct injection 1.5-litre turbocharged offers more power. Both engines are paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission.

With 193 PS on tap, the Honda CR-V isn’t slow at all. We’ve recorded a 0-100 km/h time of 9.3 seconds. On the move, the smooth shifting CVT blunts most of its aggressive edges so while it may not feel fast, the numbers tell a different story. Handling is not its forte though. The steering wheel feels light and vague, like most Hondas. It’s conservatively tuned for easy and safe driving. Not the most exciting to drive but it’s what regular folks want.

The Honda CR-V might be spacious but ride comfort is not its strength. At highway speeds, the cabin is rather noisy. The Proton X70, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 is quieter but in terms of ride quality, only the Proton X70 and Mitsubishi Outlander is better.

Fuel Consumption

The Honda CR-V is very fuel efficient, especially the 1.5 TC-P variant, which averaged at 7.0-litre/100 km during our test drive, coincidentally matching the manufacturer’s claim. Even in urban traffic, it burns no more than 9-litre/100 km, possibly the most fuel efficient SUV in its class bar the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid.

The Honda CR-V is neither the cheapest nor the most fun to drive, but it’s a sensible choice for those who appreciate the finer details in practicality, details not offered by the cheaper Proton X70. (Proton X70 CKD vs Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5 - Which one should you buy)