Verdict
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800 to the Honda HR-V’s RM115,900, and the RM7,900 gap buys substantially more car on paper: 175 hp and 270 Nm versus 119 hp and 145 Nm, plus an 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time against 12.1 seconds. It is also 333 mm longer with a 638-litre boot, useful for Malaysian family trips. The HR-V is 266 kg lighter and brings Honda Sensing with adaptive cruise control including Low Speed Follow, but its 335-litre boot and four airbags are clear limitations beside the Emkoo’s six.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want far stronger 175 hp/270 Nm performance, a 638-litre boot and a longer equipment list for RM7,900 more.
Pick the Honda HR-V if the lower RM115,900 entry price, 1,274 kg kerb weight, ULTRA Seat and adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow matter more than space and outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Honda HR-V RM115,900.
- Output: GAC Emkoo 175 hp and 270 Nm; Honda HR-V 119 hp and 145 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: GAC Emkoo 8.8 seconds; Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Honda HR-V 335 litres.
- Wheelbase: GAC Emkoo 2,750 mm; Honda HR-V 2,610 mm.
- Airbags: GAC Emkoo six; Honda HR-V four.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm turbo engine
- 638-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM7,900 more
- Adaptive cruise control lacks the HR-V’s stated Low Speed Follow function
- No walk-away auto lock
HR-V
- RM7,900 lower purchase price
- Adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow and walk-away auto lock
- ULTRA Seat rear-seat arrangement
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Emkoo by 56 hp and 125 Nm
- 335-litre boot is 303 litres smaller
- Four airbags, with no blind-spot monitoring or rear curtain airbags
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800 | RM115,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 119 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | CVT |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds✓ | 12.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 186 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,347 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,274 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emkoo & HR-V for sale
Emkoo vs HR-V FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Honda HR-V better?
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger all-round choice for performance, luggage capacity and safety hardware: it has 175 hp, a 638-litre boot and six airbags. Choose the Honda HR-V chiefly for its lower price, ULTRA Seat and Low Speed Follow function.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo is RM7,900 more expensive, at RM123,800 versus RM115,900 for the Honda HR-V.
Which is faster, the GAC Emkoo or Honda HR-V?
The GAC Emkoo is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds versus 12.1 seconds for the Honda HR-V. Its 175 hp and 270 Nm turbo engine also exceeds the HR-V’s 119 hp and 145 Nm naturally aspirated unit.