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Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5?

Hans Β· Oct 21, 2020 12:00 PM

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 01

Thailand market model shown - colour options may differ

Booking for the new 2020 Honda CR-V is now open and with a new and upgraded model, we will of course have to revise our WapCar Ratings for the top-3 best-selling C-segment SUVs in Malaysia.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 02

All variants of the new CR-V will now come with Honda LaneWatch blind spot detecting camera as a standard safety feature while higher range variants will get an upgraded power-operated tailgate – now hands-free and you can open it by simply making a kicking gesture under the car, with the keys in your pocket.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 03

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The full suite of Honda Sensing suite of advance driver assistance safety features will now be available even on the 1.5L VTEC Turbo 4WD variant, and there’s a sportier looking grille and front bumper, plus smoked tail lights.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 01

These upgrades will certainly require us to adjust the CR-V’s scores but before we retire the current scores, here’s a recap on how the trio ranked in our tests.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 02

In our last comparison, we pitted the top specs Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P against the Mazda CX-5 2.5G Turbo and Proton X70 Premium (CBU), the latter had a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission instead of the CKD model's 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 03

The comparison was done before the locally-assembled X70 with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission was introduced, and yes, it’s time to revise the scores once more.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 04

We chose the Mazda CX-5 2.5G Turbo versus the regular 2.5G naturally aspirated model for a very simple reason – the regular 2.5G variant wasn’t available for us to review at that time, plus the 2.5G Turbo is priced closer to the CR-V 1.5 TC-P with comparable level of ADAS (2.5G lacks Lane Keep Assist).

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 05

As you can see from the chart below, the Proton X70 is the cheapest to buy, the Mazda CX-5 has the best quality and driving performance, while the Honda CR-V is the best all-rounder.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 06

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 07

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 08

The CR-V does not excel in any particular area, but it scores above average in nearly every aspect, thus giving it the highest overall scores.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 09

It’s the best equipped in terms of safety, has the most user-friendly controls, is fuel efficient, and is the most practical and offers the biggest cabin – basically everything that regular buyers care most about.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 10

No other SUV in its class offer more space and practicality than the CR-V, but comfort and driving experience is only average

The Proton X70 is the cheapest to buy, but interior space practicality as well as fuel economy falls short of the CR-V. It also lacks Lane Keep Assist and its Adaptive Cruise Control doesn’t work in stop-go traffic.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 11

'Hi Proton' is nice to have, but can we trade it for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay please?

We are still unhappy with Proton’s insistence to push China-centric apps onto its infotainment rather than meet market expectations for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, because Mirroring just doesn’t work as well.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 12

Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is a must today, Mirroring is just not the same

Still, it’s hard to argue against the Proton X70’s price-value proposition. It is without a doubt, the value for money champion of this segment.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 13

X70's strongest points are its comfort and value for money

As for the Mazda CX-5 2.5G Turbo, we love its interior and driver engagement, but it’s tight cabin and poor fuel economy - even by the standards of a 230 PS engine - disappoints. Its brakes, steering and dampers also don’t seem to work as harmoniously with the more powerful engine as the regular 2.5G variant.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 14

The regular 2.5G, which has much better fuel economy, might improve the CX-5’s scores but its tight cabin remains a poor choice for those with young kids and need to carry a lot of baby supplies in the car. Its ADAS also falls behind the CR-V’s.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 15

So will the new Honda CR-V remain as a recommended choice? Well that depends on how much more expensive will the new CR-V be. Booking are opened but prices have yet to be released.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 16

Without the benefit of tax deductions enjoyed by Proton, the CR-V is already tethering on the edge of acceptable price range for a C-segment SUV.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 17

With an expanded list of features, prices might creep up further. The outgoing pre-facelift Honda CR-V was selling from RM 144,629 to RM 168,465, without SST.

Will the new 2020 Honda CR-V do better against the Proton X70 and Mazda CX-5? 18

Follow us for more updates on the new Honda CR-V, and whether should you still put your money on one. For more details on the new 2020 Honda CR-V, click here.

Hans

Head of Content

Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.

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