Middle Class SUV Challenge:Mazda CX-5 vs Ford Kuga vs Honda CR-V

SUV segment is hotly contested in Malaysian market. It has evolved from the off-roader ancestor like Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Pajero to the likes of soft roader, thanks to Honda CR-V back in mid 90's. This year, you can have it almost every sizes, from small to big luxury ones. Among the hottest option for middle class right now is Honda CR-V, now in fourth generation and hot in its heel is the turbocharged Ford Kuga and super stylish Mazda CX-5. Paultan compares them in the DRIVEN. Check it out below.

Honda CR-V European version - gallery

The British-built Honda CR-V was unveiled on 18th July. For the European market, there are two option of powertrain sets available, 2.0L i-VTEC and 2.2L i-DTEC. FWD is also available for the first time. Transmission options are 5 speed automatic and 6 speed manual. The European version of Honda CR-V carries some detail design differences compared to the Asian/JDM version. MMN did not give enough photos during the unveiling article, so here they are.

For more details of the new Honda CR-V, head to our previous coverage HERE & HERE. More photos after the jump.

European Honda CR-V breaks cover

Honda has revealed the European version CR-V today. The Swindon-made SUV will be on sale in European from October onwards. Similar with the rest of the world, Honda has made the CR-V available for the first time in front-wheel-drive, instead of only four-wheel-drive. Engine option for the UK market comprises of 2.0L gasoline and 2.2L i-DTEC. 

While both engine appears to be 3rd generation CR-V carried over item, both powertrain has been massaged for significant emission reduction. The 2.0L i-VTEC engine now produced 155PS (from 150PS) while torque increased by 2Nm for 192Nm. The emission level is pegged at 176g/km and 174g/km of CO2 for automatic and manual version respectively, down from 195g/km and 192g/km. For the diesel version, the 2.2L i-DTEC continues to produce 150PS and 350Nm as before but CO2 emission has dropped to 175g/km and  153g/km for automatic and manual transmission, down from 195g/km and 171g/km respectively. Transmission option is 5 speed automatic, while the 6 speed manual will be fitted idle stop start system.

Honda claims the European CR-V differs from the other region aesthetically. The changed listed are the redesigned from bumpers, LED DRL and LED tail light. While the last two are hard to identify from the still photos here, but MMN has detected the sole redesigned item on the front bumper, it is the fog lamp housing where it is now a through-mesh design which is different from the Asian version (Singaporean). 

Honda also claims that the interior now oozes higher quality than before. Material selection is said to be Euro-specific. The difference is hard to perceived compared to the Asian region, but true to some intelligent journalist article, the tactility of the material is indeed can't be deduced just by looking at photos. Anyway, the interior noise level in this new model is 3dB less then before.

The rest of the engineering detail such as the dimension, suspension and design should be more or less similar to the CR-V from the other region. Please refer to MMN JDM-CR-V launch article for more details. Some more photos of European Honda CR-V can be found after the jump.

2012 Honda CR-V Speculative Malaysian Specs

The 2012 iteration has been launched in many countries since last year. In its homeland Japan, Honda CR-V was launched back in November 2011, some months after the US introduction. Closer to our neighbourhood, Singapore has gotten their CR-V in March 2012. When is Malaysia turn?

However, for sure the car will arrived here sometimes this year. Since there are a few permutation of CR-V model available, which one we will get? MMN uncovers this, purely based on the historical data of the drivetrain and trim package that usually being CKD here.

While Singapore gets both 2.0L and 2.4L model, it is very likely that Malaysian CR-V will be 2.0L only. This is the trend that has been observed since the third generation Honda CR-V made it to Malaysia. While the JDM model channelled their drive to the front-wheel via CVT gearbox for 2.0L version, this setup will be ditched for Malaysian market, as CVT is more suited to the short distance and start/stop slow driving typical to Japanese driving pattern. Singapore version are both front-wheel-drive only for 2.0L and 2.4L, so Honda Malaysia might adopt the same strategy to reduce the cost and improve fuel efficiency, both paired to the 5 speed automatic gearbox.

As for the interior, the latest Honda CR-V does come with 5" TFT Multi Info Display screen at the top of the dashboard, standard for Singaporean-bound CR-V, and option for the many other markets. Judging by how Honda Malaysia specced up Honda Accord and Honda Civic, we will very likely to loose this features. Instead, the basic American trim has been observed to have a storage box at the top of the centre console. The audio system could be an out-sourced item as Japanese car always put the option of selling a non-audio equipped car so fitting a locally sourced audio system should be a breeze. However, the USDM Honda CR-V is equipped with build-in audio system that follow the same design trend as the latest Honda Civic which can be seen in our gallery after the jump. As for the seat, our current Honda CR-V is fabric upholstered but there's nothing wrong with it as it is quite plush.

Other than the trimmings and drivetrain package, Honda CR-V should be almost identical worldwide. Hence for other details, refer to MMN coverage for the Honda CR-V Japan launch for more technical details HERE. The summary of the probable specification of the Malaysian 2.0L Honda CR-V and a small gallery of Honda CR-V 20G can be found after the jump.

JDM Honda CR-V launched - first RHD model

For the first time since the first leaked spyshots of Honda CR-V, finally we can see the Right Hand Drive (RHD) model, courtesy of the Japan market version. Launched today in two guises, 20G and 24G, the new CR-V differs slightly from its it predecessor by the introduction of Front Wheel Drive ( FF) model, as well as the CVT gearbox.

The new Honda CR-V measures 4,535mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,685mm tall. Wheelbase is 2,620mm and wheel track measure 1,565mm for both front and rear. The weight is 1,460 kg for the 20G and 1,540 kg for the larger-engined 24G. Honda has emphasized that the new CR-V is more efficiently packaged than the outgoing model. The better structural design results in weight reduction of between 11kg to 30kg from model to model. Despite the 30mm shorter overall length, the interior length remained spacious at 2,125mm and Honda has managed to liberated extra 65l of cargo space. Interestingly, the latest CR-V still retained its 2,620mm wheelbase which originates right from the first generation. That model has a wheelbase of 2,620mm wheelbase because it was based on the then-current Honda Civic platform which of course shared the same dimension.

For Japanese market, the new Honda CR-V comes with two engine choice. The first one is the 20G model, powered by the enhanced R20A engine, dubbed R20A7, which in JDM spec produced 150PS@6200rpm and 191Nm@4300rpm. This engine is paired to CVT gearbox (with torque converter) only and channeled the drive to the front wheel. The 24G model on the other hand is powered by the K24Z8 engine producing 190PS@7000rpm and 222Nm@4,400rpm. The larger capacity engine is paired to 5 speed automatic gearbox and get the AWD drivetrain. In 10.15 fuel cycle test, the 20G returned 15.4 km/l while the 24G returned 12.2 km/l. Typical to all latest Honda cars, ECON mode can be activated via a touch of a button. 

The cabin of the new CR-V is similar to the LHD cars launched in the US earlier, saved of course by the steering location. At the moment, there is no indication of the the cheapo looking audio system found elsewhere, where the JDM model gets the option of navigation-equipped system or perhaps as can be seen on the grey-imported car in Malaysia, plenty are fitted with after-market 2DIN unit.

The interior is all-black instead of 2 tone observed on the US CR-V. The accents on the IP is available in either silver trim or wood-grain. Leather upholstery is an option. The cabin gets a dual-zone climate control between driver and passenger. Airbags are plenty, which covers the usual dual front airbags, front seat mounted side bags and 4 curtain bags each window. Honda G-CON body is designed to protect the occupants which also include the detailing in terms of high strength steel which also contribute to the weight reduction. The usual acronym ABS, TCS and VSA are of course on board.

Honda is very keen to stress out that the new CR-V is whole load more practical than the model it replaced. For one, the boot space is 589l with a low 665mm loading height. The rear seats, while fixed unlike fore and aft adjusted predecessor, now feature a single touch folding operable from boot mounted lever.

Storage space within the cabin is abundance too. The elimination of free space between the front seats has been occupied by the large storage compartment. It is capable in holding two cups up front, with A4 paper-depth main storage as well as a couple of 500ml water bottle horizontally in the bottom section. For cars unspecified with the navigation unit, the smaller pod accommodating the MID screen will be a storage space too. I suspect Malaysian version will surely have this additional storage compartment! More detail after the jump.

Details on 2012 Honda CR-V & news on Asian Honda CR-V

We have seen the 2012 Honda CR-V in the glossy gallery showcasing the top-of-the-line version, cruising far from the prying eagle-eye photographer, and the studio interior photo with nice lighting, resulting in a very soothing-looking cabin. You can read on previous coverage on 2012 US CR-V <here>. We have here the shot from LA, compiled all over the web to get  a better idea on the detailing. Asian powertrain option also has been discovered. Read on!

The headlamp flanked the grille, which slightly protrude inside the headlamp. Amber light for US car, clear lens for Asian car is expected (last few photos at the end of article). Black cladding is used extensively, dominating the sills and arches. 

Steeply raked and highly raked rear glass and D-pillar. Accentuate further by upward kink glass house profile and rear bumper shutline. Note the character line running along the waist and into the fuel filler door and ends at the meeting point of bumper shut line and rear light.


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This is the Instrument Panel of the likely basic version, which loses out the touch-screen Navi unit. This is consistent with the spyshots from China covered earlier on <here>. It has the jumbo button like the recently launched Honda Civic. But the cheapo appearance of the audio system does downgrade somewhat the previously soothing looking IP. It also has lost a bit of taut, high quality looking of current Honda CR-V cabin. As with any previous CR-V, the gear gate is non-gated.

This is the driver interface. The steering wheel adopt latest Honda design epitome, with jumbo-sized button and silver inserts. The steering is not the same as the one on Honda Civic, with clear difference in centre boss cover and the silvered part is different in design. Only the steering wheel mounted button looks the same. One can see the meter binnacle in this photo too. More detailed illustration of meter binnacle can be found below:

More detail and Asian CRV news after the jump.

Fourth Generation 2012 Honda CR-V launched in LA

After a long series of spyshots, leaked patent, an a very orange concept study and a teaser in Honda Japan website, the fourth generation of Honda CR-V has finally debuted, albeit for now only in LHD form in LA motorshow. It will be on sale in America from December 15, and will be launched in Japan shortly after. European market will gets in sometimes in 2012, while us in Malaysia might have to wait similarly long.

The latest generation CR-V follows the same silhouette profile of its predecessor, where they both ditched their ancestor angular looks in favour of more crossover kind of sleeker profile. However, the awkward "double-mouth" of third gen has been ditch, replaced by more conventional grille opening.  The front fascia are more sculpted and the bumper's smooth-flowing lines are highlighted by a horizontal three-bar grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability with a generous approach angle as well as  for an improved aerodynamics.

The rear end still featured a horizontal rear lights, a nod to the tradition sets from the first generation of Honda CR-V. However, the tail lamps now is more intricate in detailing and more 3D in its wraparound  joining the tailgate the side panel. The raked rear screen and reversed-angle rear light bottom made a more than passing resemblance of the Volvo XC60.

The side profile is more distinctive than the current generation. The wheel arches are more flared, the side panel retained both character lines running at the waist and sill level, but they are raised towards the rear, instead of horizontal like current model, giving a wedge-line profile. This is further accentuated with the kinked D-pillar which is parallel with the rear bumper shut-line and rear light housing angle. More details and photos after the jump.

2012 Honda CRV fully uncovered!

First official photo of the 2012 Honda CRV after a series of leaked and spyshots

Honda Japan has revealed the new 2012 Honda CRV SUV, well sort of, by launching the teaser website for their new baby. Limited details are available for now, but for Japan spec at least, the SUV remained to be powered by 2.0l hooked to 4WD drivetrain. Engine choice for America meanwhile was rumoured to be 2.4l and 2.5l.

The circulating spyshots covered in my previous articles are very close to production form. Hence the design of the instrument panel, centre console and the car generally is no longer a surprise. Refer below to my previous posting on China Spyshots, Leaked Interior Spyshots and Leaked Patent.

As demonstrated by the Concept CR-V, the headlamp is well-blend into the front grille, itself is no longer a dual-tiered as the current model. Extensive black cladding is used throughout the exterior.

The rim design

Click for more details and interior and exterior photo after the jump.