Verdict
The RM115,900 Honda HR-V is the sensible choice if your driving is mainly urban: it keeps Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and 18-inch wheels while saving RM15,000. The RM130,900 Honda HR-V is not a marginal performance upgrade. Its 1.5-litre turbo produces 179 hp and 240 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 12.1 to 8.7 seconds. It also adds curtain airbags, rear USB-C ports, remote start and paddle shifts. For frequent highway overtaking, pay the gap; otherwise the naturally aspirated car covers the essentials.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want the lower RM115,900 entry price and can live with 119 hp, 145 Nm and four airbags.
Pick the Honda HR-V if 179 hp, 240 Nm, a 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time and six airbags justify the RM15,000 premium.
Key differences
- Price: RM115,900 vs RM130,900
- Engine output: 119 hp at 6,600 rpm vs 179 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm vs 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm
- 0-100 km/h: 12.1 seconds vs 8.7 seconds
- Airbags: 4 vs 6
- Rear charging ports: none vs 2 USB-C ports
1.5 S
- RM15,000 cheaper
- 107 kg lighter at 1,274 kg
- Keeps Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control with Low Speed Follow
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the turbo by 60 hp and 95 Nm
- Four airbags; no curtain airbags
- No front foglamps, paddle shifts, remote start or rear USB-C ports
1.5 E
- 179 hp and 240 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo
- 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Six airbags, including curtains, plus remote start
- Costs RM15,000 more
- 107 kg heavier at 1,381 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900✓ | RM130,900 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm | 179 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 240 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,387 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,591 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,381 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 335 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 cars for sale
1.5 S vs 1.5 E FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or Honda HR-V better?
The RM130,900 Honda HR-V is better for performance and safety kit, with 179 hp, 240 Nm and six airbags. The RM115,900 Honda HR-V is the better-value choice if its 119 hp naturally aspirated engine is sufficient.
What is the price difference?
The price difference is RM15,000. The higher-priced Honda HR-V adds a turbocharged engine, 60 hp, 95 Nm, two curtain airbags, front foglamps, rear USB-C ports, remote start and paddle shifts.
Which Honda HR-V is quicker?
The turbocharged Honda HR-V is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds versus 12.1 seconds. Its 240 Nm arrives at 1,700 rpm, far earlier than the naturally aspirated version's 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
