No short of attention on the upcoming Honda HR-V, which is launching soon in Malaysiaafter being introduced in Indonesia and Thailand, so this may come as a surprise to many. Honda Malaysia has pulled the wraps off big brother Honda CR-V facelift, the mid-size SUV segment leader here.
The fourth-generation Honda CR-V has been in town since March 2013, with the range topping 2.4L introduced in July that year. The Honda CR-V facelift surfaced in the US late last year, which makes this local introduction a swift one, in relation to both the local car’s cycle and the MMC’s first appearance.
We have so far seen the US, European and Thai versions of the CR-V facelift, and ours match the latter two versions in terms of looks – US-market SUVs usually get a steeper approach angle for fuel economy rating reasons.
It’s a pretty distinct one as facelifts go, with the appearance of Honda’s latest “Solid Wing Face” graphic and headlights that now feature integrated LED daytime running lights. The lower front apron also gets some new chrome highlights and a silver lip.
At the back, the tail light internals have been revised, new chrome trim has been added to the tailgate above the number plate recess, and the rear bumper has been squared off and features a new silver underguard and rear fog lamps. You also won’t miss the new turbine design wheels – 17s for the 2.0L, 18s for 2.4L.
The dimensions are largely similar (1,820 mm wide, 1,685 mm tall, 2,620 mm wheelbase), but length has grown by 45 mm to 4,590 mm due to chunkier bumpers. Boot capacity is 589 litres, expandable to 1,146 litres with the rear seats folded, measured up to the window line. Two mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs will fit, and collapsing the seats is a single-motion affair via levers on the boot wall.
Two variants were offered previously; now there’s three – 2.0L 2WD, 2.0L 4WD and 2.4L 4WD. The 2.0L 2WD is the new one, channeling drive from an unchanged 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC motor (155 PS at 6,500 rpm/190 Nm at 4,300 rpm) to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox.
Same R20A/5AT powertrain for the 2.0L 4WD, but with the addition of Real Time 4WD that channels torque to the rear axle when needed. Honda claims fuel consumption of 13 km/l for the 2.0L 2WD and 12.25 km/l for the 2.0L 4WD.
The 2.4L 4WD is powered by a DOHC i-VTEC unit that makes 190 PS at 7,000 rpm and 222 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. The carry-over motor is also paired to a five-speed automatic with steering paddles. Claimed FC is 11.78 km/l. This means that besides the addition of the entry-level 2WD variant, there’s no change to the engine/gearbox lineup, unlike the Thai-market car, which gets a 2.4 litre Earth Dreams engine (from the Accord) paired to a CVT.
New features include Honda LaneWatch, which displays a visual of the left lane on the central screen once you flick the indicator. As found in the Accord, it can be turned on manually via a button on the right stalk.
LaneWatch is only for the 2.4L, which also exclusively gets a seven-inch touchscreen head unit with navigation (6.1-inch previously) and HDMI connectivity. Other 2.4-only toys are auto headlamps and wipers, steering paddles and curtain airbags for a total of six. Chrome door handles and 18-inch rims mark it out.
Buyers of the 2.0L get a lot more than before. Standard across the board are HID headlamps, LED DRLs, keyless entry (new fob) and push start, steering buttons (audio and cruise control, now with chrome outline), Bluetooth hands-free, auto-dimming rear view mirror, eight-way powered driver’s seat and dual-zone auto air con. The 2.0L 4WD gets all of the above while adding on leather seats and seven-inch touchscreen audio (without navigation).
Safety wise, the five-star ASEAN NCAP car gets four airbags (six for the 2.4), ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts and a reverse camera (multi-angle for 4WD variants).
We noticed some trim differences not listed in press materials. The dashboard area facing occupants is now soft touch with faux leather stitching, similar to that on the new City V. Also changed on the 2.4 is the wood trim (from a greyish tone to brown, silver for the 2.0) and metallic highlights on the storage area between the front seats and rear AC surrounds. The panel around the gear knob is now in black for all, as is gloss black for the AC panel.
The CR-V facelift starts from RM139,800OTR with insurance for the 2.0L 2WD, rising to RM150,800 for the 2.0L 4WD. The 2.4L is yours for RM169,800. To compare, the pre-facelift 2.0L 4WD was priced at RM148,800, the 2.4L RM169,800.
- Source: paultan.org
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