All-New 2013 Honda CR-V Launched In Malaysia: 2.0 From RM148k, 2.4 Coming Soon

In its fourth-generation, the all-new 2013 Honda CR-V has just been launched in Malaysia, with starting prices set to go from RM148,000. Completely redesigned from front to back, the new ‘Comfortable Runabout Vehicle’ has a very new look, slightly more horsepower, improved spaciousness and more safety features. No wonder it’s received up to 1,000 pre-launch bookings.

Exterior design: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?

It’s still a very recognisable car; one look and you’ll tell it a Honda CR-V. But a little more than a brief look at the all-new model, and its new designs are immediately noticeable; but not as heavily as you might imagine.

It is more aerodynamic, and in doing do, new lines and curves find themselves all over the new Honda CR-V in an attempt to guide airflow around it.

The first thing you’ll probably realise is its new front-end design; out with the chunkier and cramped, in with a new muscular front grille, bumper and head lamps. The rear lights look like they’ve come from a certain Swedish crossover SUV we’re all too familiar with.

Managing to look past all this, the new Honda CR-V is a better looking vehicle than its predecessor, we feel; it’s more athletic and tough.

Unfortunately, no Daytime Running Lights, but potential Honda CR-V owners will enjoy 17-inch alloy wheels to ride on.

Performance: Sedan-like driving experience

That’s Honda’s promise. The 2013 Honda CR-V 2.0 will feature a 2.0-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine that promises a great mix of performance and fuel economy. Figures made from its engine and five-speed automatic transmission combination return a decent 155HP (5 more than before), and 190Nm of torque.

Fuel economy for the Honda CR-V is listed at 7.7l/100km, while its CO2 emissions is rated at 7.7l/100km (combined).

ECON Mode: Greener than ever before

The all-new Honda CR-V will for the first time feature an ECON Mode, giving you the ability to swap the CR-V’s operating characteristics for a more intelligent fuel saving drive. We’ve seen a similar feature in the Honda CR-Z, where at the flick of a switch, your car turns down its power output and usage, and lowers its fuel consumption to a bare minimum.

Eco Assist is also a new feature to the Honda CR-V; displays on the car’s dash display shows just how efficiently you’re driving at any time, and hopefully encourages you to be as economical as possible.

More safety features and driving aids:

A long list of driving aids has been thrown in to the new-generation Honda CR-V. New to this model, Motion Adaptive Electronic Power Steering (MA-EPS) is now available and works in tandem with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), to help manage the CR-V’s ride (minimizes over and under steering).

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and an Anti-Lock Braking System prevents the new Honda CR-V from dangerously locking up the wheel under braking, and distributes the braking force to where best need to slow your car without incident.

Dual SRS and side airbags, make a total of four, while Honda’s Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) detects and recognises the size and weight of the passenger, and is capable of preventing airbag deployment should a child be seated in the passenger seat.

Other features include G-Force Control Technology (G-CON; distributes impact away from the cabin) and Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE; absorbs side impact).

Hill Start Assist makes its debut to the fray, maintaining brake pressure for the few moments you lift your foot off the brake pedal on a hill, to give you the convenience of time to move your foot to the accelerator pedal.

Interior comfort, spaciousness and practicality

The new Honda CR-V is equipped with a 5-inch full-TFT intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that screens reverse camera guidelines, audio control and information, car customization settings, and a few other nifty but common instruments.

This also brings us neatly to the steering wheel, where you’ll find the driver’s Switch Control for the Audio, i-MID and Cruise Control Systems.

Comfort levels have also been improved on the new Honda CR-V. For the first time, rear air conditioner vents are featured, while littler things to make your day such as door pockets have been cleverly designed to accommodate driver and passenger needs.

Spaciousness is no compromise either; let alone practicality. The Honda CR-V all-round abilities see redesigned 60/40 split rear seats that fold in just one motion; just one pull of the release lever, and they’re tidily tucked away to improved storage space. The cargo area can be increased from 589 litres to 1,146 litres.

All-new Honda CR-V 2.4l to arrive in June, RM190k est.

Loaded with more kit than the 2.0l, you might want to wait for the introduction of the 2.4l Honda CR-V which has been announced to arrive in June, this year.

SPECS: 2013 Honda CR-V 2.0 (CKD)

Price:RM148,000 (OTR with Insurance)
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, SOHC i-VTEC
Power: 155HP, 190Nm of torque
0-100km/h: 12.7 seconds ( Top speed: 183km/h)
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Fuel Consumption: 7.7l/100km
CO2 Emissions: 179g/km
Warranty: 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and new service interval of 10,000km. All-new Honda CR-V owners are entitled to 6-times free labour services, with alternating paid services.