The High Rider Vehicle...Honda HR-V

The B-segment SUV just got more exciting with the introduction of the Honda HR-V.  It is also known as Honda Vezel is some countries.  For now, Malaysian has the Ford Ecosport, Peugeot 2008, Greatwall M4, Suzuki S-Cross and the HR-V to choose from.  Putting the M4 aside (which has ton of complaints), the HR-V will definitely beat all competitors out with its attractive pricing and list of specifications.  Starting with a 1.8-litre engine and CVT gearbox, the HR-V easily beats the rest with 140hp/172Nm of power.  With 1.2-ton of weight to pull, the HR-V is not a race car, and the engine will do just fine for comfortable cruise.

It is bravo to Honda for bringing in the HR-V, and lighting fire crackers again for celebration for its successful understanding of the demand for this new market segment.  For now, Toyota has long to chase.  Based on the similar platform of the Jazz, the HR-V is longer, yet retain the popular ultraseat configuration, with a huge boot capacity, sitting on 215/60R16 wheels.  Available in 3-variant, with a starting price almost RM100k to RM120k, and long list of equipment, it is of no surprise the waiting period for the HR-V is 4-5 months.  Looks like Ford, Peugeot and Suzuki need to learn from Honda on how to make a successful B-segment SUV.

	Honda HR-V	Suzuki S-Cross	Peugeot 2008	Ford Ecosport	Great Wall M4
Engine Power	140HP/172Nm	115HP/156Nm	120HP/145Nm	109HP/142Nm	105HP/138Nm
Transmission	CVT	CVT	4-speed	6-speed	6-speed (AMT)
Engine Capacity	1.8	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.5
Traction Control	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Maybe
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Airbags	6	7	6	7	2
Wheel	16"	17"	16"	16"	16"
Price	120k	130k	120k	104k	60k

Major differences of variants of on HR-V will be the audio system, where the highest end V-variant getting the now popular Honda 7" touch screen unit with HDMI input and 6-speaker.  Of course, only this variant get 6-airbag where the other two only get to have 2-airbag.  Next big feature is the usage of LED projector headlights with DRL instead of the normal halogen projector type.  Honda, unlike Toyota, is bringing in latest technology to our shore now!  If you were to explore more, the HR-V is equipped with electronic parking brake and Brake Hold feature, where the latter will hold the brake when the vehicle come to a full stop and release it when the accelerator is being pressed.  This is in addition to the Hill Start Assist feature.  Nice!  Light tap on the turn signal stalk will enable the signalling for few seconds, enabling the driver to notify other on your intention, which is especially thoughtful in our driving style when shifting to different lane is frequent.  A feature usually available in continental car is now available with the HR-V, and of course, auto-headlight is standard as well!

As stated before, with 1.2-ton of weight, the HR-V could not be a fast car with the 1.8-litre engine, but it does well as a compact SUV.  The balance of the design, which is unlike the odd and old-fashioned looking Ecosport, make the HR-V even more desirable.  Most users do not need to be able to carry a washing machine in the car, and the HR-V is good enough to not just ferry people comfortably in the huge rear space and fit many luggage in the rear boot.  The industry is now looking very hard on the boring Toyota on what's next, after Honda successfully brought in the people's favourite City, the hipster Jazz, the refreshed CRV/Civic, and now the all new crossover HR-V.  Praise on the HR-V is difficult to express with words and images.  Visit a Honda showroom now to experience the wow effect of the HR-V.  Trust me, one cannot feel how the HR-V would fit in one lifestyle until you get a closer look at the real thing.  A new segment for all lifestyle, the Honda HR-V.

Like to have a new lifestyle, you could go for the HR-V, or wait for the all new Mazda CX-3 which will hit our market in the coming months.  Let's hope Mazda CX-3 could is similarly priced and equipped.  We need to have competition for manufacturer to bring the best of breed to us!

Mazda 2, the long awaited Kodo!

A lot of us has been waiting eagerly for this, and the Mazda 2 is finally here in the hatch form.  The sedan variant shall reach our shore in March.  This round, whether it is the hatch or sedan, both share the same on the road price of RM88k.  With the new Skyactiv body, engine and transmission, the 2 is a whole new car, style to turn heads, especially in the Mazda's Soul Red colour!

It is interesting that Toyota failed to make the Yaris popular here, and Honda Jazz is far off from being a real hatch, yet Mazda 2 always has its origin as a hatchback, with a sedan that is designed to look fresh as well, not any bolt-on tail look, or chop-off sedan look.  The 2 is in fact an impressive car, except for the lack of full round airbags.  With only 2 airbags, and consumers getting more safety minded, the RM88k might not be the best choice one can get in the market.  Though, the 2 is equipped with the rest of the safety features, such as ABS, EBD and Traction control.  The 1.5-litre engine could produce 114hp/148Nm of power, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.  Yes, high compression Skyactiv engine, better power, improve fuel economy, with added i-Stop feature that bring you the extra miles.

The Mazda 2 is fully imported from the Tomyam-land, and with its back-log order, could put a buyer in 2-3 months wait time, if lucky.  People just love the nimble 2 for a change!  The interior is classy,  and is the only car in this segment to have a nice joystick-style controller for the MZD Connect unit.  The simple yet elegant hidden aircon vent is setting a trend for Mazda, which is being used in the all new MX-5 as well.  A digital speedo could be a let down, as personally, I would prefer it to be running on analog instead.  Put the MX-5 meter cluster here and it could make the 2 perfect!  Not very sure why this car comes with a Head-Up-Display?!  Some claim it is for safety where driver could keep their eyes straight forward, but this thing could be annoying at time, and does not provide additional functions, yet having consumer paying the extra for this.  Equip the Mazda 2 with additional airbags instead!  

If you have tall friends or family members, the Mazda 2 could spell difficulty here or reduce comfort for them.  The rear space is kind of cramp, though suitable for smaller size passengers.

If you were bored by Toyota and Honda, and have the budget for the stylish Mazda 2, it is indeed a good car to consider.

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.00/litre & RM1.70/litre respectively

Crude oil price keep dropping and dropping, but we don't really see our car price doing the same, though "someone" claimed some cars prices had came down...but mostly because of those models have been localized for CKD.  In actual fact, most manufacturers has increase their prices since January 2015. They are warning consumers that come April, with GST, and weakening Ringgit, the price will increase as well.  Thanks...promise broken again!

As of February 2015, RON97 is at RM2/litre, RON95 and Diesel are ar RM1.7/litre.  We the consumers, don't even get cheaper Roti Canai or Teh Tarik.  By Chinese New Year, bet we will start paying more for almost everything!  Enjoy...No...Malaysia never get into recession, our standard of living is still low!  Fresh graduates are being paid with same salary set 20 years back, or some even lower!