The 6th-Gen Honda CR-V mule car has been spotted around the Klang Valley recently, suggesting that it might just get a local debut this year.
The next-gen Honda CR-V was unveiled globally last year, and usually, it takes some time for Honda Malaysia to complete its local road testing to identify any issues that need to be addressed before the vehicle can be approved for sale in the local market.
Picture for illustration purposes, this was the CR-V spotted in Thailand
But judging by the sightings of the 6th-Gen Honda CR-V mule car around the Klang Valley recently, we might just get a surprise introduction of the new CR-V this year.
If you’ve been eyeing up the 6th-Gen CR-V and can’t wait to get your hands on it, here are some things you need to know about the CR-V, based on its market debut in the United States.
2023 Honda CR-V powertrains
Powering the lower-rung variants is the familiar 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder petrol with its outputs carried over as well, sending 193PS and 243Nm to the front wheels (AWD optional) via Honda’s CVT.
Moving to the higher variants, these cars have lifted the powertrain from the hybridised Civic, featuring the naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired with two electric motors.
Its traction motor actually delivers 20Nm additional torque over the last time we saw this hybrid combo, and altogether delivers 207PS for the of the line Honda CR-V
Exterior design of the 2023 Honda CR-V
In terms of its exterior design, there are definitely some of Honda’s newest aesthetic cues at play. It’s a squarer shape overall that should stand it in good stead among the chunkier SUVs that.
There are hints of the Accord and Civic here and there, but for better or worse, its pronounced shoulder line does give the CR-V that beefy look which suits modern SUVs.
Its bonnet is rather flat and pretty long for a Honda, and at the nose, its fascia is more uncluttered than we’re used to seeing from Honda but it does give the SUV amore upmarket look. Slim headlights flank a rather large central grille that’s joined by other cosmetic furnishings depending on the variant chosen.
Interior 2023 Honda CR-V
Inside, the CR-V doesn’t stray far from the Civic in terms of general ergonomics and layout. Where the previous-gen version sported a fairly distinctive dashboard design to fit its more purposeful, practicality-oriented ethos, we wouldn’t be surprised if this 6th-generation replacement was lifted directly from the FE with only the most minor of alterations.
Each variant receives a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but only the range-topper gets a 12-speaker Bose sound system among other goodies.
In addition to an impressive reserve of 10 airbags, each CR-V should receive Honda Sensing as standard with AEB, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and all the rest, enhanced by a new 90-degree FOV camera system and 120-degree millimetre-wave radar.
When will it hit the showrooms?
The big question on everyone’s minds is probably how long will it take for this newest C-segment SUV to reach the showrooms, but judging by the sightings, it probably won’t be that much longer.
Upon its arrival, can Honda Malaysia keep up with demand enough to avoid any waiting period that’s becoming a stain on most new cars these days? Well, if you don’t want to be part of the queue, you should stay in tune with updates about the CR-V to get the jump in front of most people.