Verdict
The Honda CR-V is the roomier, more efficiency-led family SUV here, with a 589-litre boot against the Subaru Crosstrek’s 315 litres and a 7.0 L/100 km fuel figure where the Subaru has no quoted number. It is also 211 mm longer and 66 mm wider, so its extra cabin and luggage space comes with a larger footprint. The Crosstrek counters with all-wheel drive, slightly higher outputs of 154 hp and 196 Nm, and a bigger 63-litre tank. For most Malaysian family use, the Honda’s space advantage is hard to ignore.
Pick the Honda CR-V if you want the bigger five-seat SUV, a much larger boot and quoted fuel economy.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want all-wheel drive, CBU assembly and a more compact body.
Key differences
- Price: Honda CR-V RM178,200; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788
- Driven wheels: Honda CR-V front-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive
- Boot space: Honda CR-V 589 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres
- Power and torque: Honda CR-V 146 hp/190 Nm; Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp/196 Nm
- Size: Honda CR-V 4,691 x 1,866 x 1,681 mm; Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 x 1,800 x 1,575 mm
- Fuel tank: Honda CR-V 57 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 63 litres
CR-V
- Much larger 589-litre boot
- Quoted 7.0 L/100 km fuel economy
- 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Front-wheel drive only
- Lower outputs than the Subaru
- Larger body to place in tight spaces
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive
- Higher 154 hp and 196 Nm outputs
- Bigger 63-litre fuel tank
- Much smaller 315-litre boot
- No quoted 0-100 km/h or fuel economy figure
- No ASEAN NCAP rating listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,200✓ | RM190,788 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM437✓ | RM438 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,993 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 146 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Torque | 190 Nm | 196 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13.9 | — |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,691 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,866 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,681 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,701 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,616 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 57 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 589 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtains, Front Knee Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Driver's Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline and Sliding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Power Boot with Hands-Free Function | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used CR-V & Crosstrek for sale
CR-V vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Honda CR-V or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Honda CR-V is the better family SUV on paper thanks to its 589-litre boot, quoted 7.0 L/100 km fuel economy and 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive matters more than luggage space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek costs RM12,588 more than the Honda CR-V, at RM190,788 versus RM178,200.
Which has more boot space?
The Honda CR-V has far more luggage room: 589 litres versus 315 litres in the Subaru Crosstrek. That 274-litre gap is a big deal for family trips, strollers and airport runs.
