Honda CR-V: The utilitarian, comfortable, and handsome-looking SUV

Honda CR-V, a Japanese sports utility vehicle, came to light when such grade of vehicles had a little or no market at all. The competition was scarce too. However, times have changed and the demand for SUVs seems to be ever-growing now.

Honda launched the fifth-gen CR-V in Malaysia a few months ago with class-leading driver assist and tech features that certainly stamped a mark in the automotive arena. As the company says, it is the revival of the supremacy. But what exactly does it bring to the table? We unfold each aspect in the upcoming sections so read on to know everything about this amazing SUV from Honda.

Design

Very straight on it, Honda CR-V has never traded on looks. It is rather more of a package than just exterior appeal. Though Honda designers have done extremely well to make it look sleeker, angular, and sharper than before, it is still a muted contender in terms of design against the rivals like the Peugeot 3008 and the Mazda CX-5.

Up front, it gets the traditional thick chrome bar that is flanked by LED headlamps and further complemented by a pair of LED fog lamps. The sides get significant chrome treatment with window panes getting chrome- lined periphery along with thick bar positioned at the side sills that goes all the way to the rear section. The 18-inch alloy wheels are busy-looking but are in-line with the latest fashion. The rear section is completed with an integrated spoiler, a full-stretch chrome bar that connects LED tail lights on both ends and dual-exhaust setup.

Cabin

The cabin is the best you can get in this segment. Every cubic inch inside the cabin is handsomely-designed, giving you an exceedingly spacious feel. Although, the materials used are not very plush like in the case of the Mazda CX-5 but are seamlessly designed to offer utmost comfort and convenience, no matter if you are commuting to your office on a daily basis or heading on a weekend getaway. Plus, the extended wheelbase offers more than you can imagine. The dash layout is a visual treat, no doubt.

Amenities

The new Honda CR-V comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the centre and a TFT LCD instrument cluster for essential vehicle readouts. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes with two USB/HDMI ports, hands-free voice recognition feature in addition to catering your navigation needs. There is a dual-zone climate control, 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, and one-touch power moonroof. Additionally, there are features like 8-way driver power seat with lumbar support, auto dim rearview mirror, two rear USB chargers, and one-touch folding seat function.

Engine & performance

At the heart, it gets a 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC turbocharged engine that produces a max power of 193 PS at 5,600 rpm and a peak torque of 243 Nm at 5,000 rpm, mated to a CVT gearbox. There is also an option of a 2.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that’s good enough for 154 PS and 189 Nm at 6,500 rpm and 4,300 rpm respectively. Powered by the Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, the next-gen CR-V is a master in utilizing fuel in an adequate fashion without affecting the performance. It comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of 14.2Kmpl, which is impressive for an SUV.

Moreover, it gets cruise control for a relaxed driving experience and a paddle shift option for quick and easy gear shifting. The new CR-V is offered in both, front-wheel as well as all-wheel drive systems. Honda claims that the 1.5-litre CR-V can hit a top speed of 200 kmph while the 2.0-litre counterpart can get your adrenaline running at a max speed of 193 kmph.

Safety

The fifth-gen CR-V comes loaded with a plenty of driver-assist technologies and safety features that keep you well-protected inside. Its safety kit includes six airbags, hill start assist, vehicle stability assist, ISOFIX anchor points, and agile handling assist.

The list doesn’t end here as it also features an electronic parking brake, auto brake hold, active cornering lights, walk away auto lock, an emergency stop signal, and a multi-angle rearview camera.

What’s exclusive here is the Honda’s LaneWatch that helps in eliminating blind spots through a camera mounted on the passenger ORVM.  Honda Sensing technology constitutes features like forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, low speed follow, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.

Pricing

Available in four different variants, the base Honda CR-V 2.0 2WD model retails at a price of RM134,384. Other variants are priced as,

• Honda CR-V 1.5 TC 2WD - RM146,904
• Honda CR-V 1.5 TC 4WD - RM152,470
• Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P 2WD - RM158,225

Note that all priced mentioned above are Retail Prices (inclusive of 0% GST) without insurance.