Should things go as planned, the next Japanese-make car that's launching in Malaysia will be the 2022 Honda HR-V. This is slated to happen sometime in the middle of this year (H2 2022), and under the new skin it's possible that we'll get up to three – turbo, naturally-aspirated (NA), and hybrid (HEV) – engine options.

The question is, which is best for Malaysia?

The powerful turbo

Indonesia debuted the most powerful version of the compact SUV in the ASEAN region yesterday, a title held by their HR-V RS that packs a turbocharged, 1.5-litre four-pot making 177 PS and 240 Nm. Every other variant below that runs on a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated (NA) engine making 121 PS and 145 Nm.

This development lends further credence to our earlier scoop, saying that the Malaysia-market HR-V will one-up the Corolla Cross by slotting in a turbocharged mill (shared with the Civic, Accord, and CR-V) in between two other engine options.

Also read: 2022 Honda HR-V to launch in Malaysia after June - VTEC Turbo, e:HEV hybrid hinted

That said, it's safe to expect a milder state of tune than the Civic's 182 PS and 240 Nm (itself the most powerful in the region, higher than Thailand and Indonesia's 178 PS/240 Nm), in the interest of lower fuel consumption and smoother driving, things the HR-V's target customers will apperciate more than peak output.

The cheaper 1.5L naturally-aspirated i-VTEC

Joining the turbocharged mill will be a milder NA option, which should be the pick of the mix among more price-conscious customers. The caveat is it could be a little down on power.

In Indonesia, the NA engine makes 121 PS and 145 Nm, lesser than the 142 PS/172 Nm of the old 1.8, and the same could occur here as well.

Also read: VTEC Turbo-powered 2022 Honda HR-V debuts with Sensing, 177 PS, price up by 14%

However, the smaller capacity engine warrants 5 percent lower excise tax in Malaysia compared to the outgoing 1.8-litre engine, which could translate to more competitively-priced variants. And hey, cheaper road tax too.

The modern pick - i-MMD hybrid

For what its worth this powertrain is essentially confirmed for Malaysia: though Honda dealers we've spoke to are not privy on further details on specs just yet, some have shared that their closed door preview sessions were done with an e:HEV RS variant.

In this set-up, the Atkinson cycle engine makes 106 PS and 127 Nm, while the two-motor e:HEV adds 131 PS / 253 Nm. There's no combined output for Honda e:HEV models, and neither can you sum up engine and motor outputs as they peak at different rotational speeds, but Honda says performance is comparable to a 2.4-litre NA engine.

Also read: All-new 2022 Honda HR-V launched in Thailand, hybrid only, from RM 123k

Having had good experiences with the similarly-powered City RS, it's fair to expect a throughly refined drive in the HR-V e:HEV. The fuel savings is just a bonus.

Also read: Review: 2021 Honda City RS e:HEV – Hybrid perfomance for the common man

Conclusion - ball's in your court, Corolla Cross

As it stands, UMWT offers three variants of the Toyota Corolla Cross, two with a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i and a 1.8-litre hybrid, priced from RM 123,000 to RM 136,650. Being the newest product on the market (and a very competitive one too, if we may add), it's currently the most easily-recommendable SUV.

Also read: Quick Review: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia, the proper benchmark for family SUVs

That said, having three powertrain options for the HR-V will present something for everyone. The turbocharged mill will appeal to those with a little pep in their step, while the hybrid choice might call to those who prioritise fuel savings more than outright output. The naturally-aspirated engine, being the cheapest of all, should result in more affordably-priced variants of the HR-V in Malaysia.