The mid-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) comes in four variants starting with the entry-level S variant at RM159,900 (on-the-road without insurance) and followed by the E at RM169,900 and V at RM181,900.
The range-topping e:HEV RS variant will only be made available in early 2024 along with its price.
While the company sets its sights on selling 1,000 units monthly, it is also celebrating Honda's 75th anniversary and 20 years of the locally assembled CR-V with the S variant being priced at a special RM157,900 for the first 750 customers.
(From left) Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum, Yoshimura and Sato with the CR-V.
Potential customers will have five colour options for choice including Canyon River Blue Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteor Gray Metallic and Ignite Red Metallic.
The new CR-V is being covered by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five free labour services within 100,000km or five years.
The latest CR-V is touted to be larger and more spacious than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase which has grown from 2,660mm to 2,701mm while standing at 4,691mm-long (+107mm), 1,866mm-wide (+11mm) and 1,681mm-tall (+2mm).
For power, the S, E and V variants uses a 1,498cc turbocharged mill producing 193PS at 6,000rpm and 243Nm from 1,700 to 5,000rpm which gets managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
While all variants can reach a top speed of 200kph, the S-variant can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 9.7 seconds.
Meanwhile, the E variant takes an additional 0.1 to reach 100kph at 9.8 seconds and the V variant completes the century sprint a further 0.6 seconds later at 10.4 seconds.
As for the RS variant, it can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 9.0 seconds flat but is only able to cruise at a top speed of 187kph.
The range-topping RS variant uses a 2.0-litre (1,993cc) Atkinson Cycle engine with 148PS and 190Nm of torque that's mated to an electric motor system that manages an output of 184PS at 4,500rpm and 335Nm of torque from 0 to 2,000rpm.
Although power is sent to the front wheels, the V variant is the only one that benefits from an all-wheel-drive system - much like its predecessor.
In terms of kit, the S variant comes fitted with a 57-litre fuel tank along with 17-inch wheels (17-inch spare wheel) wrapped by 235/65 series tyres partially obscuring disc brakes at all four corners.
At 1,598kg (kerb), the S uses front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension which gives it 198mm of ground clearance while its longer wheelbase helps to provide 589 litres of boot space (expandable to 1,072 litres).
Illuminating the way ahead are LEDs for the automatic headlights, daytime runners, front sequential turn signals and external mirrors with auto-fold function (in matching body colour) with integrated turn signals.
The rear combination lights make use of LEDs as well.
Inside, there's fabric upholstery, a urethane-wrapped steering wheel that's accompanied by a remote-engine start system, an automatic walk-away locking system and a keyless entry with push-start system.
The S variant is also equipped with cruise control, Econ button, 7.0-inch TFT Meter, dual-automatic climate controls, rear air conditioning vents, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, two rear USB ports, 7.0-inch display (with one USB port) for the eight-speaker sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
For safety, there are eight airbags, anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability assist, agile handle assist, electronic brake distribution, auto brake hold, hill-start assist, hill descent control, emergency stop signal, four reverse sensors and a multi-angle reverse camera.
To further bolster safety levels, the S variant comes equipped with forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, lead car departure notification, Honda Connect, driver attention monitor and active noise control.
The E variant now gets front LED fog lights, powered tailgate with hands-free operation and walk-away closure system, paddle shifters, faux-leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way powered driver's seat (with memory function), four-way powered front passenger seat.
There is also automatic wipers, a 15W wireless charger, larger 9.0-inch advanced display audio for the 8-speaker audio system and two USB ports, four parking sensors for the front and Honda LaneWatch Camera system.
The V variant will add on some chrome tail-pipe finishers for added differentiation from its stablemates, before adding wireless Apple CarPlay and throwing in some ambient lighting at the front of the cabin, front footwells, cup holders, front inner door handles as well as front and rear door liners.
Also, a 360-degree camera system has been fitted together with a reverse auto-tilt mirror system and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Finally, the RS variant receives active cornering lights and rear fog lights before blacking out the external mirror and shark-fin antenna for added differentiation.
The additional kit also includes roof rails, an active shutter grille, active sound control, security key card, heads-up display system and a dedicated Sport button.
Here, the RS does away with its paddle-shifters which has been replaced by a single deceleration selector paddle instead while the foot pedals now take on a sportier look.
Additionally, the instrument clusters TFT meter has now grown to a larger 10.20-inch screen, while the auto high beam system is replaced by an adaptive driving beam system.
"With this new model, we are not just taking a step forward; we are making a huge leap in this segment," said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura.
Yoshimura added that the CR-V has managed to attract over 2,000 bookings in a month and has managed to maintain its number one position in the non-national mid-sized SUV segment for the first three quarters of 2023 while also witnessing a 10% year-on-year growth in sales compared to the previous period.
For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my or call toll-free at 1-800-88-2020.
Meanwhile in an earlier group interview, Honda's large project leader for the all-new CR-V, Eisuke Sato, said improvements on the new model include a reduced steering wheel angle for a more sedan-like experience, greater reclining angle of the rear seats, and more leg and elbow room as well as luggage space.
Sato also pointed out that there is better control of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) with a quieter cabin and reduced wind noise, as well as improved steering feel and handling.
The new CR-V's Advanced VTEC Turbo 1.5-litre direct injected, 4-cylinder DOHC engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is billed as providing better acceleration response, and fuel economy.
"For the acceleration response, we improved this so that there is quicker reaction. Also, for more quietness, we applied an exclusively designed intake cover. Engine NVH is also better, by increasing the rigidity of the crankshaft," said Sato.
Fuel economy is rated at 7.0-litres per 100km (for two-wheel drive S and E variants), and 7.5-litres per 100km for the all-wheel drive V variant.
Meanwhile, the new CR-V's hybrid e:HEV RS with two-wheel delivers a fuel economy of 5.0-litres per 100km.
Sato said there are no plans for a plug-in hybrid variant.
Regarding the continued use of the Honda LaneWatch Camera safety system on the CR-V, Sato said the project team had taken into consideration "how motorcycles are used in Malaysia."
The LaneWatch Camera provides a view (on the centre display screen) of the vehicle’s blind spot when switching lanes - using a camera on the passenger side mirror.
"For Malaysia, we believe that the LaneWatch Camera is more effective than Blind Spot Information System (BSI). LaneWatch can let the driver know about where and how many motorcycles there are (in the vehicle’s blind spot)," said Sato.
Features on the E, V and hybrid variants include the LaneWatch Camera, hands‑free power tailgate with Walkaway Close and automatic front wipers.
The new power tailgate was designed to be quieter and operate faster, while a new Smart Clear Wiper system can save washer fluid by controlling the injection amount. – With additional reporting by Thomas Huong
