In Brief: Honda CR-V 2019, the crowd favourite

(Honda CR-V 2019 | Gallery)

Since its initial introduction back in the mid-90s, the Honda CR-V 2019 has proved to be a popular choice among car buyers.

Now in its fifth iteration, the Honda CR-V 2019 remains a popular choice for many.

How Much Is Honda CR-V 2019?

The Honda CR-V 2019 is priced from:

• 2.0 2WD - RM 138,308
• 1.5 TC 2WD - RM 150,992
• 1.5 TC 4WD - RM 156,732
• 1.5 TC-P - RM 163,191

The base model CR-V 2.0 gets a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre engine, while high range variants in the line-up get a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine.

Powering the entry-level Honda CR-V 2019 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that does 153 PS at 6,500 rpm and 189 Nm at 4,300 Nm. The second engine option is a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that does 193 PS at 5,600 rpm and 243 Nm from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. All Honda CR-V 2019 variants sold in Malaysia feature a CVT-type automatic transmission.

Our pick of the range is the CR-V 1.5 TC-P. It is the only variant to feature the Honda Sensing suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, such as Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Low Speed Follow.

For those that needs the surefooted assurance of a 4WD system should go for the 1.5 TC-P 4WD variant, as this is the sole variant fitted with the 4WD system.

Pros And Cons of Honda CR-V 2019

The Honda CR-V 2019’s interior practicality is class-leading as no other rivals can come close.

For example, the storage console in the centre armrest is deep enough to store a handbag, which no other SUV in the segment can boast of.

Apart from that, the wide boot aperture and low loading floor make it easy to load and unload stuff into the boot. With the rear seats up, the Honda CR-V 2019 offers 522 litres of boot space. Fold down the rear seats and the Honda CR-V 2019 boasts 1,084 litres of boot space.

The Honda CR-V 2019's cabin is also a pleasant place to be in, as it has a relatively airy cabin with sufficient shoulder room and legroom for passengers.

But practicality aside, the Honda CR-V 2019’s ride comfort is somewhat lacking and tyre noise is also rather apparent at highway speeds.

What Are The Alternatives?

Other segment alternatives to the Honda CR-V 2019 include the Mazda CX-5 (RM 133,440 – RM 175,462), Mitsubishi Outlander (RM 137,888 – RM 152,888), and Proton X70 (RM 99,800 – RM123,800).

Apart from the Honda CR-V 2019, the Mazda CX-5 is also a popular choice among car buyers. While the CR-V 2019's cabin is more practical, the CX-5 counters by offering a plush and upmarket cabin. However, the flip side is that the CX-5’s cabin can be a rather cramped place to be in.

Then there’s the Mitsubishi Outlander, an excellent choice for those who need the practicality of the third-row seats. The Outlander also boasts decent ride comfort and lower noise levels than the Honda CR-V 2019, but handling isn’t the Outlander’s strongpoint. The Outlander also lacks rear air-conditioning vents, though it can be had as an optional extra.

Last but certainly not the least is the Proton X70. Similar to the Mazda CX-5, the X70’s cabin is a rather nice place to be in, as the X70’s interior has a mix of high quality and tactile-feeling bits and pieces. The voice command system is also another party piece to show off to your friends, but don’t expect too much from the X70 as this C-segment crossover lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Maintenance of the Proton X70 is also costlier than the Honda CR-V 2019. On paper, despite boasting the highest output figures, the Proton X70 is also the heaviest in its class, resulting in less-than-ideal fuel consumption figures.