As this article was written in late 2024, Malaysians were generally preparing for the planned petrol subsidy targeted for 2025, and now have various options for vehicles that save on petrol consumption, either in terms of not using petrol directly (using batteries completely), PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle). While electric vehicles have their own challenges, hybrid vehicles are seen as having the potential to provide not only savings, but also various technologies that come with it.
Honda Malaysia has already offered their Hybrid series from the previous series until now. For the end of 2024, I had the opportunity to drive the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV at the end of the week and took it all the way to Johor Bahru to try out the petrol consumption savings through their latest engine technology, i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive).
Physical Characteristics And Design
The Honda CR-V RS e:HEV, which is the 6th generation, is quite large in size, and also offers a spacious and comfortable interior. In terms of the exterior, it looks fierce and this time there is no longer any horizontal chrome finish on the radiator grille, instead it is black finish that highlights the Honda logo with a little blue finish to mark the environmentally friendly e:HEV version.
For this version, there are ventilation ducts that will open, for engine cooling. The turn signal lights also come with animations that show the direction the vehicle will be pointing, adding to the style, quality, and superiority of this SUV.
The taillights are also given a modern touch, with side slits that can reach the roof. It also has a boot that can be opened automatically either by pressing a button, or by swinging your foot under the rear boot. With a storage capacity of 589 liters, users will not have a problem bringing any items with them for any task.
Despite the size of this vehicle, it is also equipped with a 360-degree camera that can help users with parking. Users can also activate this camera located on the windshield wiper stalk.
There is also a Honda Lanewatch function that allows users to see vehicles that may be in the blind spot on the left side of the vehicle on the vehicle's main display, and pressing the button to deactivate the function if they want to view the map.
In terms of interior space, the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV is loaded with various controls and functions. Praise must be given to the 10.25-inch dashboard display where a lot of information is displayed, and the driver can also select the information they want. The driver can also set the position and position of the driver's seat, with an automatic button that can save the settings, as well as a spinal support system that can provide comfort to the driver when driving for long distances.
There is also a Honda Sensing display in this panel, and it is also supplemented by a HUD display to make driving easier. Specifically for this model, there are 'paddle shifters' that function to increase and decrease the level of regenerative braking, allowing the battery to be charged faster depending on the level selected.
For the comfort of all passengers and the driver, the air conditioning system also allows different temperature settings for the driver and front passenger, as well as the presence of air conditioning ducts for rear passengers. This 9-inch display can also be tethered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and also supports wireless Apple CarPlay tethering. Adding to the entertainment experience in this car are 12 BOSE speakers, and for me the audio quality provided is very prestigious, in line with the price of this car.
In the back, passengers will also be able to charge their devices using 2 USB-C plugs. In fact, the rear passenger seat can be adjusted in tilt, and this provides more comfort if the rear passenger wants to sleep, or has to tilt the passenger seat higher.
Benefits of the i-MMD Engine That Saves Gasoline Consumption
Around 2014 I had the opportunity to try a Honda Jazz Hybrid owned by a family member and at that time, the hybrid engine used was IMA (Integrated Motor Assist). The difference between IMA and i-MMD is from the hybrid concept itself. The Jazz Hybrid with the IMA engine has a combination of electric and petrol use, but in the CR-V RS e:HEV with the i-MMD engine, most of the time the user will accelerate using the electric motor power, and only at higher speeds will the petrol engine power be used.
The Honda CR-V RS e:HEV engine is also equipped with a 1.06 kWh battery that will be charged when the battery is at around 20%, which can be calculated based on the indicator on the dashboard. This battery will also be charged through regenerative braking and when the battery is fully charged, the driver will be able to see the driving status labeled ‘EV’ when the vehicle is using full electric power.
It should be noted that the gasoline that is filled has priority to be used as fuel for the electric generator found in this i-MMD engine. Only when the vehicle reaches a higher speed, the gasoline will be used directly as fuel for the gasoline engine due to the more efficient energy consumption ratio. However, if the driving system knows that there is a situation where electric energy can be provided, it will change the driving and I myself can see at a speed of 116 km/h the EV label lights up, indicating that I am at an efficient speed.
All of this process is displayed through the 10.25-inch dashboard, where there is an energy consumption diagram that shows the energy transition. The driver can see if the car is running on electric power, or using the petrol engine. There were even times when I saw a situation where I was running on petrol power, but also charging the battery at the same time.
This combination of electric and petrol power gives petrol power of 148 PS with 188 Nm of torque, and electric power of 184 PS and 335 torque, which allows acceleration from 0-100 km/h to be achieved in as fast as 9 seconds. What I found during my drive of around 1,032 km, even though the CR-V is quite large, it is still agile and provides a responsive drive.
From Kuala Lumpur to Johor, then on the way back to Kuala Lumpur, I refueled at the Pagoh Menghala Utara Rest Area, and in that time, I had already driven 818 KM with an average petrol consumption of 5.6L / 100km. This is the farthest distance for my personal record driving with a full tank, and with the speed and driving style that are my usual. A full charge is RM 100.82, which is equivalent to 49 liters. There are three driving modes, namely Economy, Normal, and Sport, and for the entire review I drove in Economy mode.
And this time, unlike the previous short driving experience, I was able to try B-mode for a longer time while driving in the city. Using B-Mode will make the i-MMD engine's priority more towards battery use. So the generator engine will work harder to generate more battery energy, and the car's movement will use battery power. With B-Mode I also found that regenerative braking will be more frequent, to regenerate battery energy.
Honda Sensing Capabilities
Driving the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV for 5 days also allowed me to try Honda Sensing in various situations. I tried it in traffic jams and also on the highway. For me, this Honda Sensing level 2 self-driving system has a difference in terms of detection and how it works.
The Honda Sensing system is also able to distinguish the size of the vehicle in front. If you are following a lorry, the lorry icon will clearly appear, and the same applies if you are following a small vehicle. This system also allows you to determine the distance to the car in front, and is able to detect cars that are trying to squeeze in front of you, and make the necessary movements to give you space, and continue on your journey.
And all of these Honda Sensing functions are also displayed through the HUD display, where users will clearly be able to see if the Adaptive Cruise Control function is activated without having to take their eyes off the road.
Choose Hybrid Over EV?
Throughout the 5 days with a total driving time of 1,032KM, this gave me the opportunity to understand hybrid vehicles more closely. One of the things that really makes a significant difference is the energy saving with the use of a full tank of petrol which can provide up to 818 KM of use with a remaining journey of around 30KM. However, for those of you who are trying to compare the experience of a hybrid and an electric car, the experience is not the same because the production of energy through the engine will take time before being converted into kinetic energy, compared to an electric car which can accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 5 seconds.
However, the benefits of the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV's hybrid nature can also be felt from the moment you start the engine. There is no engine sound, unless the battery level is below 20%. And when you start driving, you will start in EV mode, before reaching higher speeds and the petrol engine will be activated to provide energy directly. Not to be forgotten is the availability of petrol in any area, without requiring you to charge the electric battery, which is the main key that makes it easy for you to experience some of the benefits of battery technology in the hybrid driving system.
At a price of RM 195,900, the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV will compete with various electric cars or SUVs in its own petrol class. However, with energy savings and also petrol consumption, it will certainly attract buyers who want to choose a vehicle with high energy savings, and loaded with technological sophistication.