Proton X70 vs Honda HR-V; why the smaller SUV is still more practical

Now that the locally assembled (CKD) Proton X70 is finally here, you must be thinking: RM 122k for a C-segment SUV complete with panoramic sunroof? Now that’s affordable! But wait, is the affordably priced X70 the most practical option? The similarly priced Honda HR-V begs to differ.

We know what you're thinking, the CKD Proton X70 is a C-segment SUV, while the Honda HR-V falls in B-segment category. But the biggest deciding factor here is the price of the cars. So it is inevitable to compare the 2 cars.

The Price 

The Honda HR-V's base variant kicks off with the grand price of RM 108,800 and slowly climbs through the variants to the RS at RM 124,800.

For a starting price of RM 94,800, the Standard variant X70 actually costs less than the base HR-V and the top spec Premium X costs less than the RS at RM 122,800.

Safety Features

And if you look at the spec sheet alone, the HR-V RS actually greatly loses out to the X70 as well.

The CKD Proton X70 Premium and Premium X boasts safety tech like Blind-spot monitor (BLIS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control and even Forward Collision Warning (FCW) on top of the usual stability control and AEB.

The HR-V, meanwhile, only has Honda LaneWatch Camera (LWC) to add on to VSC and Emergency Stop Signal.

Infotainment

Even the sphere of entertainment, the HR-V sadly loses out with only 4 speakers with not so good sound quality across the variants and a head unit that only does the basic Bluetooth and HDMI connection.

The X70, on the other hand, has 9 speakers installed on the top 2 variants and a head unit that you can order around via Voice Command and 4G+Wifi connection so you can stream music online, check the weather forecast and access navigation.

Space and Comforts

While all these features make the CKD Proton X70 the winner here, we have to say that the more practical SUV between the two is still the HR-V.

While the HR-V might measure shorter at 4,346 mm in length and 1,790 mm in width, the Honda is still more spacious than the bigger and broader X70 (4,519 mm and 1,831 mm in length and width).

Because of Japan’s needs for small apartment living hacks, Honda has applied that logic on their cars and devised a genius space-efficient mechanical packaging system for the HR-V.

And it also helps that the HR-V has that ever convenient Ultra Seats feature that allows you to pack your entire bookshelf into the car.

While the X70 can arguably lay claim to more comfortable seats and the cool functions of the Boss Function, the HR-V easily trumps the cabin comforts with plush seats and enough space to stretch.

Fuel efficiency 

Another point to consider between the 2 SUVs, is that the HR-V is also more fuel efficient. We have already noted that the CBU X70 does not have very good fuel consumption numbers, but even with the new 7-speed DCT transmission, Proton can only claim 7.6-litre / 100 km and nothing lower.

Don’t forget, the HR-V comes with EarthDreams technology engines and are well known for their fuel saving talents. Honda Malaysia also offers up a fuel sipping Hybrid engine with the HR-V for even better fuel savings.

So, we can agree, that while the CKD Proton X70 is the more affordable car between the 2 SUVs, it still loses out to the Honda HR-V when it comes to the practicality and cost-saving aspect.

If you think about it logically, the cost will slowly add up to match the HR-V as the X70 consumes huge amount of fuel and servicing the SUV is not cheap.

And, can we take a moment to think about the tight squeeze that are Kuala Lumpur’s new parking lots? The smaller HR-V would be an easier SUV to park!