The Honda CRV Mk IV – Launched!

.

It’s a dog-eat-dog world, they say and nothing is more true than in the automotive world where everyone seeks to dethrone the King of the Hill and set themselves up as the benchmark of the segment. And among the many “kings” you find sitting on “Bukit SUV”, the Honda CRV has always been a viable contender despite it being one of the oldest SUVs in Malaysia having being introduced in Malaysia in 2007 and subsequently facelifted in 2009. Since then, the CR-V has been a household name in the SUV market especially in light of the lack of a competition equivalent model from arch-rival Toyota (actually, Toyota has a CR-V contender but since the RAV4 isn’t officially available here in Malaysia, Honda has a free hand in the market) and CR-V owners appreciate the practical aspects of the car. From ferrying kids to bikes and odd bits of Ikea furniture, the CR-V has been a huge hit among Malaysians but the King has been challenged by many young upstarts of late. The Koreans decides to field 2 models, the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson to challenge the aging Honda …. fellow countrymen Mitsubishi and Nissan also takes advantage of the laggard with the ASX and X-Trail … and the latest to come onto the Hill is the Mazda CX-5 sporting technology that makes every other SUV in the segment sound old fashion.

.

So it isn’t just timely that Honda introduces the 4th Generation CR-V; it’s a matter of life and death for the H-badged SUV. With a new design, better tech and still having one of the most extensive service centre network nation wide, can the CR-V defeat all other contenders and regain the title of being the preferred SUV choice among Malaysians?

.

Design

.

.

.

.

The new CR-V has certainly grown up quite a bit, ditching the 2-piece like front design of it’s predecessor and featuring an integrated front that makes it look meaner and bulkier. Honestly, the first impression I had of its design was this is what will come out if a Hyundai Santa Fe had a one night stand with a lithe VW Tiguan  and a baby is born. The swept back headlamp design, huge front bumper and under covers also hints quite a fair bit of Kia … dang, it’ll be hard for Papa Kia Sorento to know who’s child it is since it too has its design DNA. Imagine removing the Honda badge and putting a Korean one and you’d be forgiven to mistaken it to be from Gangnam.

.

.

.

And at the back, it’s such a reminiscent of Volvo so much,  one can’t help but feel Honda is aiming to make it a huge hit in Europe. With a long rear tail lamp that pulls from the roof line down to the mid-line of the car and black under covers that wraps upwards, the back looks like a three-piece instead of the usual boot and bumper 2-piece configuration.

.

.

Measuring 4,545mm in length, 1,820mm in width and 1,685mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,620mm, the new CR-V is actually shorter in length compared to the old (4,565mm) but once again, Honda has worked its magic in the cabin and inside, length and width has actually increased. I wish there is a Honda wardrobe that has more interior space than what its outside suggests.

.

.

.

.

Performance

.

.

The Mk IV comes in both 2.0litre and 2.4litre mills where you’ll get 155PS @ 6,500rpm with 190Nm @ 4,300rpm from the 2.0 (up 5PS from Mk III) and 190PS @ 7,000rpm with 222Nm @ 4,300rpm from the 2.4. Today we witnessed the launch of the 2.0litre and the 2.4litre is due to make an appearance towards the middle of the year.

.

.

Both engine variants are mated to a 5 speed automatic gearbox

.

.

Ride and Handling

.

The earlier CR-V has MacPherson struts in front and reactive link double wishbone for the rear. The same goes for the new CR-V. There is talk about improved handling and NVH levels but until I can verify with a test drive, we shall take it on face value.

.

.

Cabin Convenience

.

It’s a Honda …. it’s a Japanese ….. needless to say, these two combination ensures convenience is conveyed to you by the buckets.

.

.

The initial feeling when stepping into the CR-V is that everything is well put together …. until you start rapping the panels and realize hard plastics are the order of the day, just like the 9th Generation Civic (article found HERE). Makes one wonder that in today’s time and age, only in a continental can you expect soft plastics, no?

.

.

The steering is as functional as it can be, with the audio controls at the left and Intelligent Multi-Info Display (I-MID) controls on the right. Nope, no paddle shifters.

.

.

The displays are easy enough to read, I suppose but since they didn’t have the keys in any of the display cars, can’t see how it looks. There’s an illuminated color ring on the meter cluster that changes from white to green depending on how heavy your right foot is.

.

.

Do you bit and save Mother Earth! Press the ECON button and you’ll transform your SUV into a super mini emission vehicle. The ECON mode changes the throttle response, shift map and AC controls.

.

.

The large 5″ colored I-MID tells you things like the song you’re playing, fuel economy details, reverse camera, etc …. also can be customized to include your favorite pet’s picture as wall paper.

.

.

Audio and air conditioning controls are simple enough to operate.

.

.

Let’s see, what can I put into three cup holders? Coffee for Papa bear, Tea for Mama bear and Milk for Baby bear …. but wait, Baby sits behind.

.

.

The center console compartment isn’t exactly the deepest or largest around but works fine enough for any USB devices you want to hook up to the audio system.

.

.

Japanese glove compartments: Big enough to transport Japanese tofu

.

.

Rear legroom is really good. Check out the following pictures:

.

.

After adjusting to my 178cm frame, I still had ample legroom behind.

.

.

Boot space is excellent … the depth has improved from 1,430mm in the 3rd generation to 1,570mm in the new model. The tail gate height has also being lowered by 25mm and this makes loading heavy stuffs easier. With the rear seats up, you’ll get 589litres of space.

.

.

One of the best innovation with the new CR-V is the One-Motion Rear Foldable Seats where at the pull of a lever found at the boot, the front thigh rest moves forward and the back rest of the 60:40 seats folds down, giving you a flatter surface to load your mountain bikes.

.

.

What Honda could have done better is to hide the staples exposed when the thigh rest folds upwards. Nitpicking, I know but I doubt continentals will do such a thing to the buyer.

.

.

Underneath the boot floor, you’ll find a space saver tire.

.

.

Safety

.

The 2 litre variant offers the following safety features:-

.

• Dual front SRS airbags
• Side airbags with OPDS (total 4 airbags)
• Rear side and center headrests
• EBD
• ABS
• VSA
• Hill Start Assist
• Remote entry
• Reverse camera
• Safety Power window (driver)
• Front seatbelt 3-point ELR x 2 with adjusters
• Rear seatbelt 3-point ELR x 3
• Immobiliser System
• Security Alarm
• Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body
• Rear seat ISOFIX

 

.

Specifications

.

Exterior

.

• Front fog lights
• Projector headlights
• Side mirror with turning lights
• Body color grip type door handle
• Front intermittent variable wiper
• Rear wiper system
• Front / Rear mud guard

 

Interior

.

• Black interior color
• 5″ Intelligent Multi Information Display with color
• Tilt & Telescopic steering wheel
• ECON Mode switch button
• Steering wheel switch i-MID
• Cruise control
• Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (MA-EPS)
• Power adjustable door mirrors
• Power retractable door mirrors
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Accessory socket (Front / Console box)
• 2nd Row One-Motion Seat with 60:40
• Rear seat armrest with cupholder
• Front parking brake
• Sunshade compartment box
• Integrated audio 1 CD & MP3 module
• Steering wheel switch audio control
• USB Port and Connector
• 6 speakers

 

.

.

Maintenance and Ownership

.

This came as surprise as many did not expect Honda to be able to price the new CR-V lower than the predecessor: The 2.0litre retails for RM148,800 OTR with insurance … almost RM2,000 cheaper thanks to higher local content. The 2.4litre, scheduled to be introduced in June this year is estimated to be around RM190,000. Throw in the original Modulo package and the price can rocket up by a few thousand.

.

In addition, the new CR-V comes with 5 years unlimited warranty and a 10,000km servicing interval which puts it on par with other industry players.

.
Speaker of other players, here’s how the new CR-V stacks up against them:-

.

.

So essentially, the main differences between the 3rd and 4th generation lies in:-

.

• A new exterior skin
• A new interior skin
• Increase 5PS engine output
• Improved FC with ECON mode
• One-Motion Seat Folder
• Other improvements ie improved drag efficiency by 8%, etc
• Slightly cheaper price
• A reverse camera

.

Technology-wise, nothing to shout about, really. In that alley, the Mazda CX-5 is still the head honcho.

.

So where does that leave the CR-V? Pretty much status quo, if you ask me. If good FC, excellent second hand value and a time and tested Japanese marque that’s well accepted in Malaysia is your cup of tea, then the CR-V fits you pretty well. Everything about buying a CR-V spells one word: SAFE. No one will blame you for over-spending on a CR-V (well, at least most parents anyways). Against the Koreans, the Japanese still have a better act in terms of desirability and suspension comfort/handling. So the biggest threat to the CR-V comes from its kinsmen …. Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru. The Subaru XV doesn’t quite fall under this category as it’s more of a crossover rather than an SUV but it’s pricing puts it at a spot that any buyer in this segment should consider.

.

And among the 4 with their respective target markets, the Mazda’s buyer profile probably fits the CR-V’s as well. Honda Malaysia targets 7,000 units of sales this year with a price tag that’s very similar to the CX-5 which has better tech but lower 2nd hand resale value and the 4WD equivalent variant costing more than RM10k extra …. I’d say it’s a close fight.

.

.

.