You’ve seen the teasers and read our comprehensive test drive report, now the new Honda CR-V has been officially launched by Honda Malaysia, in CKD locally assembled form. The “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” is in its fourth-generation now, and follows the popular third-gen RE, which was the SUV to beat (in terms of sales) since day one.
The new CR-V may look bulkier, but both old and new dimensions are surprisingly similar. Length, width and height is 4,545, 1,820 and 1,685 mm respectively, which is 20 mm shorter and five millimetres taller than before. The 2,620 mm wheelbase is unchanged, so are the front and rear track widths, fuel tank size (58 litres) and kerb weight of 1,540 kg. Overhangs at both ends have been trimmed slightly, though.
Boot capacity for the five-seater SUV is 589 litres, expandable to 1,648 litres by folding the rear seats (1,146 litres at the window line), a single-motion affair. Shape-wise, the load length has been increased by 140 mm to 1,570 mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25 mm. Apparently, you can throw in two mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs.
A 2.4 litre model that was always available elsewhere is coming to Malaysia in June, but for now, the CR-V is powered by a 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine similar to the one in the new Civic. The R20A makes 155 PS at 6,500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm – compared to the previous CR-V, this is five PS more at 300 rpm higher, while max torque is made 100 rpm higher.
Paired to a five-speed automatic, the CR-V does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 12.7 seconds on to a 183 km/h top speed. Power goes mainly to the front wheels, but “Real Time 4WD” can shuffle drive to the back when the need arises. Speaking of wheels, you’ll continue to get 17-inch alloys with 226/65 tyres.
The new dashboard features a green ECON button that’s now standard issue for Hondas. There’s also an Eco Assist function that changes the illuminated ring colour on the meter cluster. You’ll want to keep it in green for eco driving.
Also making its debut is a five-inch colour LCD screen with graphics that look similar to the FB Civic’s. This i-MID display is linked to a reverse camera, which is standard fit. The rear air-con vents are also new.
Safety-wise, the new CR-V comes with four airbags (front and side), ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), TCS, Hill Start Assist, follow me home lighting and Isofix mounts for child seats. The rear centre seat belt has been upgraded to a three-point unit from the previous lap belt.
Also on the standard kit list are cruise control, dual-zone auto air con, steering wheel buttons (audio and cruise control), a six-speaker ICE system with USB (no Bluetooth, though) and a new jack-knife design key.
Five colours are available – retained are Taffeta White, Crystal Black, Alabaster Silver, and Polished Metal, with a new shade called Twilight Blue replacing Urban Titanium in the palette. As usual for Honda, there’s a list of Modulo accessories to add on. Four set packages – Alpha, Beta, Utility and Urban – are on the menu.
Honda Malaysia is joining the warranty wars with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the new CR-V. Service interval is now set at 10,000 km, and owners are entitled to six times free labour alternated with paid services – one free, one paid, next one free, and so on.
The new Honda CR-V is priced at RM148,800 on-the-road with insurance. Click here to read Anthony’s comprehensive take on the SUV (he has a third-gen car at home), and impressions of the upcoming 2.4 litre variant, which will be priced around RM190k.
