The Honda CR-V : Dependable, Spacious, Comfortable

In the mid-1990s, the Honda CR-V was one of the few models that made SUVs cool. Marketed as a “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” (hence the acronym), the Honda CR-V brought some urban sense into the Sport Utility Vehicle and allowed it to be a regular sight on the roads. With advancements in automotive technology, SUVs are no longer a niche trend as they feel much more like cars in terms of comfort and drive. Honda Malaysia introduced the first Completely Knocked Down (CKD) version of the CR-V in 2003 and it is a model that has consistently received good market acceptance and continues to set the benchmark for SUVs in Malaysia. Over a 100,000 units have been sold as at October 2020.

Each subsequent generation of the Honda CR-V has claimed some sort of achievement and has always offered features that are ahead of its time as well as above the segment’s standard. The current CR-V is the model’s 5^th generation, and in Malaysia, it served as the first model to introduced the Honda SENSING driver assistance technology when it launched in 2017, once again pushing the benchmark for the SUV segment.

Dependable Technology

Together with Honda LaneWatch, the Honda SENSING suite gave buyers of the CR-V added peace of mind and safety on the road. The CR-V provides comprehensive protection for both the drivers and passengers with these 8 safety features:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Low Speed Follow (LSF)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
Auto High Beam (AHB)

The CR-V also comes with a new safety feature – Rear Seat Belt Reminder, that enhances passenger protection by alerting the driver when the rear passengers have not fastened their seat belts, which is now required by law.

In addition, there are the standard safety features such as Six Airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Agile Handling Assist (AHA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Auto Brake Hold (ABH), Walk Away Auto Lock and Driver Attention Monitor. With all these features built-in, it is no surprise that the CR-V has a 5-star safety rating from ASEAN NCAP. Incidentally, Honda LaneWatch is now standard across all CR-V variants.

The remarkable driving performance of the CR-V comes from the 1.5L VTEC turbocharged engine with a respectable 193PS and 243Nm of torque. If you so wish, you can opt for the all-wheel drive variant though the 2WD would be sufficient for most people, who normally have urban-based usage. There is also a naturally aspirated 2.0L 2WD version that is more budget-friendly, and all the variants use a Continuously Variable Transmission to distribute power to the wheels. You can watch my video of how the AWD version performs up Genting.

Space and Comfort

As a family oriented SUV, Honda has to offer more than just power. To provide a complete package, Honda has also focused on providing improved spaciousness and passenger comfort.

The interior of the CR-V is refined to improve convenience for users while maintaining its stylishness and classiness. The CR-V’s consoles are designed with greater versatility and usability in mind. The front console has two USB ports located near the gearshift, allowing both driver and front passenger to charge their devices at the same time. Occupants can also enjoy high levels of comfort in the roomy cabin with convenient storage spaces.

The cargo space is also what makes the CR-V a practical all-rounder. The rear seats with the one-touch folding function fold flat to provide a spacious area for bulky cargo. The boot capacity is 522 litres when all seats are up and 1,084 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The turbo variants are also equipped with the convenient Hands-Free Power Tailgate. This feature can be activated with a foot motion towards the hands-free access sensor under the rear bumper, making it easier to access the boot especially when your hands are full.

Another comfort feature is the Remote Engine Start that allows drivers to start the engine with the press of a button on the smart key fob without unlocking the doors. By switching on the engine remotely, the air-conditioning can be switched on before you get into the car thus giving you more of the Joy of Driving. Another convenient feature on the smart key is the activation of the Remote Retractable Door Mirrors.

The Modern All-Rounder

The Honda CR-V remains a crowd favourite and it isn’t hard to see why. Dynamic looks, good driving performance, a comfortable and versatile interior, and advanced safety technology make the CR-V a practical all-rounder that sets the benchmark for what an SUV should be. Check out the CR-V walkaround video here.