All time favourite SUV, the Honda CRV

The facelifted Honda CRV is here, just in time to have a fight with the all new Nissan X-Trail.  With a refresh face, the CRV now looks much better, especially with its new rectangular fog light, instead of the old round units.  Throw in lots of chrome and silver, the effect is an immediate elegance, with touch of luxury.  Engines choice remain similar, with a 2.0-litre (153hp/190Nm) and a 2.4-litre (187hp/222Nm), both mated to the five speed transmission.  Paddle shift is standard only for the latter model, where it get the now popular Honda 7" Display Audio, with HDMI input.  The 2.0-litre now has a 2WD variant, which could be the mainstream choice, as it start from a competitive RM140k, with most features similar to the higher end models.

New to the 2.4-litre variant is the Honda lane watch camera on the passenger side.  Tapping the left signal activate the camera, providing an added comfort of safety view to the driver.  6-airbag is standard, as well as rain sensor for the wiper, wheel size of 18" and the navigation map.  Though most will not like the map provided by Honda as it is not very good.  The others safety and comfort features such as 4-airbag, ABS, VSA, HSA, auto dim rear view mirror, bluetooth, power seat, cruise control are standard across all variants.  The 4WD 2.0-litre is asking for RM150k, where the 2.4-litre is priced at RM169k.  With only 5 seats available and fold flat rear seats, the CRV is still an innovative SUV when compare to the Nissan X-Trail.  The boot when flat folded, provides a big 1,146 litre of space, which could easily fit your at least 2 bicycles.

Interior is similar, except for those variant with the 7" display.  Looks like Honda is giving most its model the fake leather stitching on the dashboard, which tends to collect dust instead of bringing luxury feel.  The seats are nicely bolster, and comfortable, and only the 2WD variant get the fabric treatment, where the rest get them in leather.

Similar to the front, the rear of the CRV has added chrome and silver and the rear reflector is now beside the tailgate instead of at lower level of the bumper.  Rear third brake light is now in red lens instead of clear len, which make it consistent to the tail lamp cluster, giving a more coherent look.  The facelift CRV looks in fact better, with more features, and worth consider for those that is looking for a SUV.  However, if you do not want to be categorized as a soccer mum, do look at the new Nissan X-Trail as well, which looks more manhood!

The non-boxy Nissan X-Trail has landed

The traditional boxy styling of the Nissan X-Trail has gone into the history book. Nissan knew it very well that the consumers have move on, and if one want a boxy SUV, they would look at the Range Rover.  With the Nissan Murano selling like hot cakes out of Naza World showroom, now you have the all new X-Trail, from the conservative Tan Chong group!  In no way sthe X-Trail could beat the Honda CRV sales volume, which is the favourite among Malaysian, but it could worth a try to make a come back, at least offering additional choice for those wanting a Japanese SUV, yet think the CRV is all too common on the road as the soccer mum runabout.  By the way, the X-Trail 4WD system is always superior when compare to the Honda CRV real time system as it could offer a a full 4WD lock mode when needed.

Two variants are available, with a 2WD version (RM143k) driven by a 2.0-litre all new Direct Injection engine, capable of 142hp/200Nm of power, mated to a 7-speed CVT.  Yes, you read correctly here, it is a direct injection engine, and it is from Nissan finally!  We knew Honda has it, Toyota has it, but these two manufacturers tend to keep their cost down by offering their older generation of engines here.  For the 4WD version (RM166k), it is equipped with a 2.5-litre QR engine, producing 169hp/233Nm of power, which is not an impressive figure for an engine with this displacement.  For most users, the 2WD is usually the default choice, as we seldom sees people bringing this car to the jungle or mountain.  Furthermore, the RM23k more might not worth it, as the 2WD version give you almost similar specifications in term of safety, getting Active Engine Braking (AEB), Active Ride Control (ARC), Active Trace Control (ATC),  Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA) as part of the standard package.  The 4WD get the additional Advanced Hill Descent Control (HDC).  4 Cameras from the X-Trail provide the 360-degree around view monitor, saving one even from hitting the road curb while performing parallel parking.  When we start praising Nissan for bringing a complete safety equipped SUV, the 2-airbag only is a real disappointment here.

The interior of the X-Trail is very refreshing this round, which bring in the luxury and technological advanced feel.  Good job to Nissan for saying goodbye to those boring dashboard and meter cluster design.  With the new X-Trail, the rest of the Nissan's models are now dated!  Build quality is always decent, but the paint surface is slightly rough and uneven.  The fabric seat is best when replaced with leather.   The 7-seater configuration of the SUV is a smart features, but the lack of any legroom at the rear most seats make it kind of useless, and might only fit children below 5-year-old.  

From the first glance, at the front bold "V" grille, the X-Trail give a sensation that it looks like the Nissan Navara pickup truck.  Nissan should have tone this down to give it an improve luxury feel instead.  However, the departure of the overall boxy X-Trail look is a plus point.  No more vertical tail light, thus another departure of the SUV-liked design.  Overall, the X-Trail is a very competitive SUV, but it still lack the sporty stance of others.

	X-Trail 2.0	CRV 2.0	X-Trail 2.5	CRV 2.4
Engine Power	142HP/200Nm	153HP/190Nm	169HP/233Nm	187HP/222Nm
Transmission	CVT	5-speed	CVT	5-speed
Seat Material	Fabric	Fabric	Leather	Leather
Traction Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Airbags	2	4	2	6
Wheel	17"	17"	17"	18"
Price	143k	140k	166k	169k

By the way, Honda has just launched the facelifted CRV, so before making a decision, head toward the Honda showroom for a test drive also.  Some love the reliability of the Nissan, but some love the elegant feel of the Honda.

The new yet not so refreshing Perodua Myvi

Perodua likes the 15th day of the month, as it launched the Axia on September 15, 2014, and four months later, the new Myvi.  This new Myvi...uh...uh...uh...has nothing special compare to the outgoing unit, where the front has the largest differences.  The bumper and headlight have been refreshed to be aligned with the Axia.  If you are looking at it from the rear, you might not notice any update, except for the variant badge which has change now.

Two new colours are available now, where the Cosmic Gold is available for the 1.3 variant, and Electric Blue for the 1.5 model.  Engine remain similar where the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre units could produce 90hp/117Nm and 102hp/136Nm respectively, both mated to the same old 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual gearbox.  

As always, Perodua though is the first manufacturer to offer dual airbags in all its models, still lack the important ESP safety feature, and no additional side airbags.  Perodua could do better to move on, instead of keeping its profit high, which is disappointing.  However, this new Myvi has achieved 4-star Asean NCAP safety rating, which is an improvement from the previous 3-star rating. Myvi being the best selling car in the nation for a decade, could have created the lack of motivation for the management to further enhance the car further.  Why change it when it is selling so well?  Adding the Proton Iriz is not delivering on time to the customers, the Myvi could still be a winner here!  We have limited choice here as most manufacturers are not allow to bring in any decent car which could compete with both national icons.

Interior of the Myvi remains very similar as well, with slight changes in the meter cluster colour and placement of the hard light button.  Cup holder below the driver side aircon is a new addition, but why here to effectively blocking the aircon vent?  To cool a hot coffee faster so that it will taste terribly?  Car designer should have some logic thinking instead of simply penned stuff like this thinking it is useful.  Of course, the anti-snatch hook is now standard, fitted to the passenger seat.

One funny addition is the front corner sensor...who actually need this for a car this size?  If the driver could not park this little car properly, send them back to the learning school.  They don't deserve having a driving license and could pose danger to other road users.  Perodua claims this is a new Myvi...but it is not refreshing at all!  However, the build quality and price will still make this the most popular car on our road, no doubt about this.

1.3 Standard G Manual - RM41,900

1.3 Standard G Auto - RM44,900

1.3 Premium X Auto - RM47,900

1.5 SE Manual - RM50,900

1.5 SE Auto - RM53,900

1.5 AV auto - RM58,900