2024 Honda CR-V 1.5L Turbo E Review

In Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market, family users' demand for balanced performance continues to rise—they need a spacious vehicle with practical features, while also considering power and fuel efficiency. The 2024 Honda CR-V 1.5L Turbo E is priced at RM169,900 and enters this market with key selling points such as standard L2-level driver assistance, dual power seats, and an 8-speaker audio system, offering impressive value for money among vehicles in the same price range. In this test drive, we focused on evaluating its everyday practicality, power response, and whether these features genuinely enhance the car-owning experience.

From the exterior, the new model takes on a steady and refined design approach, with a large blacked-out hexagonal front grille complemented by a chrome accent strip running across, offering a high level of recognition. The car's side profile features sleek lines, with the waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, preventing the side from appearing bulky. The 235/60 R18 tire specifications match the SUV's positioning well, ensuring adequate off-road capability without being overly exaggerated. The rear LED taillights feature a horizontal design, connected by a thin chrome strip in the middle, visually broadening the width of the vehicle. The lighting system comes standard with LED functionality, including front fog lamps and daytime running lights. The automatic headlights respond promptly when entering or exiting tunnels, making them very convenient for daily use.

Sitting inside the vehicle, the interior design leans towards simplicity and practicality. The center console is covered with soft-touch materials, accented with silver trims, making it stand out as above average in its class in terms of texture. The 9-inch center touchscreen is positioned relatively high, reducing the need to look down too much during operation. The screen offers clear resolution, quick responsiveness, and supports Sound Plus functionality. The 8-speaker sound system delivers a fuller audio experience compared to standard models. The instrument cluster features a 7-inch TFT screen that displays information such as fuel consumption, tire pressure, and driver assistance features, making the data easy to read. In terms of features, keyless entry and push-start come as standard, offering convenience by allowing entry without taking out the key. The front-row dual-zone automatic climate control system includes rear air vents, and rear passengers can adjust the airflow themselves, catering to the needs of the whole family. For seats, the driver gets 8-way power adjustment, while the passenger has 4-way power adjustment. The adjustment range is wide enough to ensure comfort even for passengers up to 180 cm tall. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, and when folded, the floor is almost entirely flat, making it highly practical for carrying larger items.

Space has always been a strong suit of the CR-V. With a wheelbase of 2,701mm, rear legroom is generous. A 175cm-tall passenger in the rear still has two fists of space between their knees and the front seat, and more than one fist's worth of headroom, ensuring no sense of confinement. In terms of storage, the door panel compartments can hold two large water bottles, the depth of the center armrest box is sufficient to store tissue boxes and small miscellaneous items, and the trunk's standard capacity can fit two 28-inch suitcases. Folding down the rear seats expands the space even further, making it easy to accommodate strollers and camping gear for family outings.

In the power department, the 1.5T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum output of 193PS and a peak torque of 243N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox. In daily driving, the car accelerates quickly from a standstill, with a smooth throttle response and no noticeable turbo lag. In Sport mode, throttle sensitivity increases, and acceleration provides a stronger push-back feeling. When overtaking and pressing the accelerator harder, the CVT gearbox quickly simulates downshifts for direct power delivery. On the highway, even at a speed of 100km/h, the power reserve remains sufficient, making overtaking confident and effortless. As for fuel consumption, after testing on both congested urban roads and highways, the combined fuel consumption was around 7.2L/100km, which is close to the official figure of 7L/100km. For a 1.6-ton SUV, this fuel consumption is commendable.

The handling and chassis performance are average, the steering wheel has moderate weight and precise direction without any slack, making it effortless to park at low speeds and stable at high speeds. The suspension system adopts front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. It filters out most small vibrations when crossing speed bumps or rough roads, ensuring rear passengers don't feel overly bumpy. In terms of cornering performance, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, and the suspension provides sufficient support while cornering at speeds of 60km/h without any noticeable wobble. Noise control is quite good; wind and tire noise are minimal at speeds below 80km/h, and at a speed of 120km/h on the highway, wind noise slightly increases but doesn't disrupt conversations inside the car.

Its safety configuration is a highlight of this model, with 5 standard airbags (driver, front passenger, front side airbags, curtains, and knee airbag), and seat belt reminders for all seats. Regarding the driver assistance system, the ACC adaptive cruise control works well on highways, offering automatic following. The lane departure warning and active braking functions are responsive, providing timely alerts or even automatic braking if vehicles or pedestrians are ahead, greatly enhancing driving safety.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2024 Honda CR-V 1.5L Turbo E lies in its balance — the spacious interior makes it suitable for families, and its practical and comprehensive safety features, along with its dynamic and fuel-efficient performance, offer standout value in the same vehicle segment. Compared to the Toyota RAV4 2.0G of the same class, the CR-V has stronger performance, richer features, and is more budget-friendly; compared to the Nissan X-Trail 2.0 VL, it excels in space and fuel efficiency. This car is suitable for family users who prioritize balanced performance, especially those who often travel with family and have requirements for features and safety.

In conclusion, the 2024 CR-V 1.5L Turbo E has no obvious weaknesses and performs well in all aspects to meet the daily needs of family users. It is a choice that you "can't go wrong with even if you buy it with your eyes closed." If your budget is around RM170,000 and you're looking for a spacious, well-equipped, easy-to-drive, and fuel-efficient SUV, this car is worth your consideration.