With the order books having been opened for it earlier this month, it won’t be long before the sixth-generation Honda CR-V makes its Malaysian market debut, with the new SUV slated to be launched sometime in December.
Revealed in July last year, the latest iteration of the Comfortable Runabout Vehicle features quite a bit of a styling departure from the outgoing car, which has been around since 2016 and locally, from mid-2017, with a facelift coming in 2020. As can be seen from the brief side-by-side comparison with the fifth-gen, it’s a more conventionally-styled offering, its shape sharper and squarer, and lines cleaner.
At 4,694 mm long and 1,865 mm wide, the new CR-V is 71 mm longer and 10 mm wider than the SUV it replaces, while wheelbase has grown by 40 mm to 2,700 mm. At the front, you’ll find a longer bonnet, which presents a flatter-looking nose, while the rear has Volvo-esque shades, with the inner tail lights giving the tail a bit of a BMW-ish resemblance when viewed dead-on centre, especially when the exterior is presented in darker tones.
Away from the bolder, more matured exterior, there’s quite a bit of new-to-Honda (and model specific) features, but the biggest news is the addition of a hybrid variant to the line-up for the first time. The turbocharged 1.5 litre is set to be retained, but the hybrid will now sit at the top of the model range here.
While the hybrid CR-V is available in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive guise (as seen in Thailand), Malaysia will be getting the e:HEV in its two-wheel drive form. As highlighted in the teaser image earlier this month, it will be available here as an RS variant, unlike in Thailand, where the RS trim level is only for the on-demand AWD, with the 2WD for that market an ES version. As before, we will also only be getting the five-seat version for our market.
The i-MMD powertrain in the e:HEV model is similar to that on the Civic e:HEV, with the 2.0L e:HEV offering 184 PS and 335 Nm of torque, the latter 20 Nm more than on the Civic. Power is delivered to the wheels via an eCVT.
As for the 1.5L VTEC Turbo, it’s carried over from the fifth-gen unchanged. As such, the L15BE DOHC VTEC turbo four-pot continues on with 193 PS (190 hp) at 5,600 rpm and 243 Nm from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. Ditto the choice of partnering transmission, an Earth Dreams CVT.
Available variants haven’t been revealed, but we expect there to be four, consisting of three 1.5 turbos, one of which will be an AWD version, and the range-topping e:HEV hybrid. Likewise, full specs haven’t been listed, but as mentioned in the booking post, the e:HEV will be equipped with full LED headlights and tail lights, LED front fog lights, and front LED sequential turn signals.
The RS will also come with ‘sleek door handles’, Berlina Black 18-inch alloys and an Active Shutter Grille on the front lower bumper to aid aerodynamics. Additionally, it will feature a 12-speaker Bose audio system, marking a first for the brand here, as well as a 360-degree camera.
Also present is the Honda Sensing ADAS suite and Honda Connect telematics with phone app, along with a hands-free powered tailgate, which has a walk-away close function.
No indication of prices yet, but you can expect the new CR-V to be pricier than the current fifth-gen facelift, which is priced from RM165,800 to RM170,400 for the turbo engine (the 2.0L NA base model, which is priced below RM150k, will be discontinued). This is especially so in the case of the e:HEV RS – we could well be looking at the range-topper taking the CR-V past the RM200k mark. We’ll know soon enough if that’s the case.
GALLERY: Honda CR-V sixth-gen and fifth-gen, side-by-side comparison, Thailand-spec
GALLERY: Honda CR-V sixth-gen, Thailand-spec
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Biggest oof is the carryover of the cursed LaneWatch camera… wtf HM.
I am thinking to upgred to X70 but I heard some scary stories abt the proton car.. So mebbe considering to get the new range-topper CRV instead.
Why alang2? Upgred to Alphard lah
Amik CR-V nak raso2 jadik bangsa H.
Geram nengok BMW 7series takiyuddin Pas..
upgrade to x70 from what car? if from axia myvi or pesona you will feel different. but if from city, hrv, corolla cross, you will feel so-so, less or more, nothing much. all owner x70 fell their suv is the best, still wanna compare to other brand. while, crv owner never care about other brand, especially geely proton.
They went backward from LED rear turn signals to dinosaur era halogen bulb. Even the new-ish Civic still use them
Err the rear turn signals are actually LEDs for the eHEV. Not sure about the turbo variants.
you mean, like mazda cx-5?
Used the same underpinning, engine and gearbox but selling so expensive…
Even new Type R vs Old Type R
Not enough New Generation changes
More like a major facelift
But same also on the continentals.. hahaha
err.. which one is the new one?
both have evergreen look, thats why you cant decide.
Honestly, it’s the same class like X70, should Honda priced it near to 200k for Turbo variant , no need think,
just get your money worthwhile, get a X70 instead. After all ICE will be history in about 20 years time . Why border to spend extra ?
If pricing rm200++…better buy the coming soon new facelift X70 and X50 one each….
uglier….honda has lost its direction
the woody dashboard.
It’s new direction?
about become ugly after facelift, even mercedes and bmw have that too. but people still buying. the one still evergreen is audi. old and new still look nice.
170k still 5seater? Still the same boring…please send back la those boring japanese uncle…never learn and never listen
the top of the range will cross the RM200k mark will be classified as luxury car as government will impose luxury tax.
Hope the resolve the NVH issue on the older CRV.
It truly doesn’t sound premium at all sitting in the car.
now, thats the proper dual exhaust and gearbox position. i get into the crv owner fb page, many said the current one looks better than new facelift. but, after i go through all the people who said that, all are age 40+ something, and some of them have kids. but nobody from age 20-35. so maybe the new one is to attract new youngster. not for 40+ anymore. my wife said the current one look so alien spaceship.