2022 Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Review

Of all the models that Honda has offered in their Malaysian line-up over the last few decades, it is the Honda CR-V that has gone from left-field choice to staple of the range, eventually growing in popularity to stand on equal footing with their traditional sedan offerings. With each generation, both size and complexity increase, to the benefit of consumers around the world.

For our market, this generation of Honda CR-V was first introduced back in 2017 with four variants on offer and two engines. With the facelift launched at the end of 2020, the CR-V range has been shaken up due to customer demands, as have prices – maintaining the competitive edge of the model.

Historically, the CR-V is also the second model in our market to get the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine that was first introduced in the Honda Civic, and eventually was made available with the current Honda Accord. Some owners may balk at the fact that it is an incredibly small engine for a car that traditionally came with engines over two litres in size, but Honda has won the faith of Malaysian consumers and this powertrain has become accepted.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Specifications

The entry level variant of the Honda CR-V gets a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 154 PS and 189 Nm of torque, sending power to just the front wheels through a CVT-type automatic transmission. This is similar in vein to the Accord and the Civic which have the none-turbocharged motors powering the cheapest variants.

Where the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine comes in is with the 1.5L TC-P variants, effectively replacing the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre petrol engines of old. In the Honda CR-V, this engine makes a fair amount more power than the Civic with 193 PS and 243 Nm of torque at your disposal – though just shy of the Honda Accord which breaks the 200 PS barrier thanks to its variant of the engine.

You can get the engine with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive variants, which is a particular point of contention for Honda. When this generation was first launched back in 2017, Honda offered the 2.0L entry level model, a mid-tier 1.5L TC model, and a 1.5L TC-P model – the P suffix standing for premium. What was surprising to some was that Honda offered the 4WD system only with the 1.5L TC variant, and not the premium model.

The justification at the time was that not enough customers were taking up or finding value with the 4WD system, so they could offer the premium package items at a more cost-effective position by omitting the 4WD system. It was a smart move and it paid off, but with the facelift they seem to have a change of heart. The 1.5L TC variant was dropped, and now the 1.5L TC-P variant is offered with either front-wheel drive or 4WD – and both sport a CVT-type automatic transmission.

Overall dimensions and metrics are the same for all variants of the Honda CR-V, with a wheelbase that sits long at 2,660 mm, a width of 1,855 mm, and a length of 4,623 mm. It has definitely grown in every dimension through each generation of the model – it’s hard to imagine that the first-generation Honda CR-V has an almost identical footprint to the current generation Honda HR-V – down to 10 mm.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Exterior

A strong, commanding presence is what you’ll notice with the Honda CR-V. The must current facelift brings a sportier, more simplified look that highlights the overall width of the car, as well as accentuating the ride height and ground clearance with black cladding for the underbody. The entry level variant gets 17-inch alloy rims, while all other variants get larger 18-inch units.

As is the case with all of Honda’s facelifted models, buyers can expect a decent amount of equipment in a bid to move stock quickly. LED headlights are standard across the range, as are LED daytime running lights and fog lights. The outer door handles are all body coloured, and all models get a tailgate spoiler to add that touch of sportiness.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Interior

There are no punches pulled when it comes to the interior of a Honda model, and the Honda CR-V is no different. It has an incredibly comfortable interior – eight-way power adjustable driver seats and four-way power-adjustable front passenger seats across the range – and a design that balances future chic with near endless practicality. Black is still in style as most surfaces are dark in tone, with the odd wood-esque accent through the cabin as offsets and for context.

The shift lever sits high and proud, leaving plenty of storage room below for all the items you could need – almost enough space to cram an entire handbag below it if you really had to. The instrument cluster is as large as it is well-defined, mirroring the elegance of the seven-inch infotainment system sitting in the centre of the dashboard.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Safety Features

All variants of the Honda CR-V come with dual front airbags, side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Vehicle Stability Assist, Honda’s version of electronic stability control, is also standard – as is ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, and Emergency Stop Signal. Honda SENSING, their active safety systems like forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are only available for the 1.5L TC-P variants.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Strengths and Weaknesses

If you’re looking for something that can carry a lot of cargo, it has to be the Honda CR-V. Honda doesn’t bother with any trickery and stylish sweeps and curves of the roofline – that would only compromise cargo room – and in turn you get a massive 522 litres of boot space – with the seats up. It also happens to be a seven seater, and with the rear seats folded down you get 1,084 litres of boot space. Drop the second row of seats and you see that number grow to over 1,600 litres, and possibly over 1,700 litres depending on your method of measurement.

It also happens to have an impressive, punchy little powertrain that manages to move such a large car with ease – even loaded with cargo and occupants. That being said, one can’t get around the fact that it is an incredibly large vehicle – if you could make do with the space and functionality of the Honda HR-V, it is a much better choice if you plan to spend time in urban settings.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Price

Thanks to the current exemptions in place for certain taxes, the Honda CR-V currently starts at RM 139,912.53 for the 2.0L 2WD variant, going up to RM 157,615.91 for the 1.5L TC-P 2WD variant, and topping out at RM 162,910.18 for the 1.5L TC-P 4WD variant. In contrast to pre-facelift prices, this is actually cheaper by about RM 3,000 or so, with the top-spec variant being cheaper even than the original 1.5L TC-P 2WD model.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Features

If you like features with your SUV, the Honda CR-V delivers in spades. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity come as standard across the range, as do two USB ports, hands-free telephone functionality, an eight-speaker sound system, and voice command and control. Keyless entry and start, paddle shifts, regular cruise control, and active noise control also come as standard no matter which model you choose. The only item that is missing for the 2.0L 2WD variant is remote engine start functionality.

Honda CR-V 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

The manufacturer quoted fuel consumption for the Honda CR-V stands at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres for the 2.0 2WD model, 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the 1.5L TC-P 2WD model, and 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres for the 1.5 TC-P 4WD model. This works out to 13.7 kilometres per litre, 14.7 kilometres per litre, and 14.2 kilometres per litre respectively.