Review: 2025 Honda CR-V e:HEV RS – EV vibes, no plug needed, all Malaysian-ready

You want to go electric. You’ve read the blogs, watched the YouTube videos, maybe even tested a few EVs. But let’s be real for a second: you live in a condo, you're not ready to queue at DC chargers like it’s a petrol station during a fuel hike, and you're worried your fancy EV might depreciate faster than a durian after two days on the kitchen counter.

Enter the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS — Honda’s plugless answer to Malaysia’s electric dreams. No cables, no charging apps, and no worries about where the next charger is.

This hybrid SUV gives you just enough of that EV feeling to keep your inner tree-hugger happy, while still sipping trusty RON95 like a good Malaysian should.

A familiar face, with newfound confidence

Let’s start with the looks. Honda hasn’t reinvented the CR-V’s design, and that’s probably a good thing. It’s still that upright, practical SUV your neighbour swears by — but in RS trim, it now has a certain oomph. You get a gloss black grille, smoked accents, sleeker bumpers, and 18-inch two-tone wheels that actually look sporty rather than ‘auntie spec’.

At the back, you’ll spot those new Volvo-esque taillights, dual exhausts (mostly decorative), and a clean, grown-up design that tells the world: “Yes, I paid RM200k for this, and no, I’m not trying to be flashy about it.”

Look closely, and you’ll also see subtle blue Honda badges and an e:HEV emblem — your badge of honour that says, “I care about the planet but I still enjoy petrol station snacks.”

Cabin class upgrade

Open the doors and the RS interior hits you with a “woah, this is a CR-V?” moment.

You get leather upholstery with red contrast stitching, aluminium looking trim that doesn’t look tacky, and a full-width honeycomb mesh that cleverly hides the air vents. It’s clean, classy, and just sporty enough without going overboard.

Tech-wise, it’s all here. A crisp 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Qi wireless charging, which means no more cable spaghetti. There’s also a fully digital 10.2” TFT meter cluster too, complete with real-time hybrid power flow graphics — useful if you like geeking out on efficiency.

Oh, and Honda Connect adds remote control from your phone: lock/unlock, check the car’s location, and see your battery status — all while you’re sipping kopi at the mamak or while at home checking on your kids who’ve just borrowed your CR-V.

So, how does It drive?

Here’s where things get juicy. The e:HEV system isn’t your regular hybrid setup. Most of the time, the 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine acts more like a generator. It powers a motor that drives the wheels — which means you’re mostly driving electric, without plugging in.

And it feels like it too. Silent start-up, smooth acceleration, and absolutely no gear changes. You glide away from traffic lights in near-silence, and in city jams, it’s so quiet you’ll hear every squeak, if there is any. There’s a combined 184 PS and 335 Nm under your right foot — more than enough to keep up with traffic, even if 0–100 km/h in 9 seconds doesn’t sound groundbreaking.

This isn’t a rocketship, but that’s the point. It’s tuned for serenity, not speed. The engine does tend to kick in from time to time to help charge the battery, but it’s not intrusive at all as the switch between electric and petrol power is quite simply seamless.  

Still a CR-V at heart

Don’t worry — despite all this electrification wizardry, it’s still the same old practical CR-V Malaysians love.

Space? Massive. Rear passengers get loads of legroom, a flat floor, and ISOFIX points that don’t require an engineering degree to access. The boot? Still over 580 litres, even with the battery underneath. There’s room for strollers, shopping, and maybe even a folding bicycle if you Tetris things right.

It’s one of the most family-friendly interiors in its class — easily outclassing some so-called "premium" compact SUVs that feel like sardine cans inside.

Ride and Handling: Easy does It

The e:HEV RS rides like it was built for Malaysian roads — which, thankfully, it was. Bumps and potholes are absorbed with ease. Suspension tuning leans towards comfort-first, making this a plush, quiet cruiser for city and highway driving alike.

Handling? Well, it’s no Civic Type R. The steering is light, easy to manoeuvre in tight parking lots, and while there’s a bit of roll in corners, it’s totally forgivable. This car isn’t here to carve corners in Ulu Yam — it’s here to keep you calm during that hour-long jam on the Federal Highway as well as those bad roads wherever your adventure takes you.

Fuel efficiency that’ll make you smirk

So what’s the actual consumption like?

In real-world KL traffic, we managed under 6L/100 km — that’s impressive for a nearly 1.7-ton SUV. This is where the hybrid system shines. It switches between motor-only, engine-only, and hybrid drive seamlessly, depending on the load and speed. You barely notice it happening.

And when it comes time to refuel, no apps, no charging ports — just regular old RON95. The simplicity is almost refreshing in today’s over-complicated EV world.

Features Galore – And safety to match

The CR-V e:HEV RS doesn’t skimp on kit. Besides all the techy creature comforts, it packs the full Honda Sensing suite:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Collision Mitigation Braking
• Traffic Jam Assist

All of it works smoothly — no ping-ponging between lanes, no abrupt braking. Just calm, measured assistance that takes the edge off city commuting.

Add to that an around-view camera, Blind Spot Information System(Honda Lane Watch), and 8 airbags (including one for the driver’s knees), and you’ve got a car that’s thinking for you as much as it’s driving with you.

What’s the catch?

Now for the not-so-great bits.

• Price Tag: At RM195,900, it’s a fair jump from the Turbo V. That’s dangerously close to entry-level luxury territory — think BMW X1. You’re paying for the tech, the efficiency, and the quiet — but some might find it hard to justify without feeling the need for a hybrid.
  

• Performance: If you’re coming from the 1.5 Turbo, you might miss that punch. This hybrid’s smooth, but it doesn’t give you that same urgency when overtaking or gunning up Genting. And the e-CVT can feel a bit underwhelming under heavy throttle, such as when going up a very long steep hill.
  

• One Trim Only: Want a hybrid without the sporty RS look? Tough luck. Honda Malaysia only sells the e:HEV in this fully-loaded RS spec. Love it or leave it.
  

Final Thoughts: Should you get one?

If you’re EV-curious but not quite ready to commit, the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS might just be your goldilocks solution.

It brings you the EV driving feel — quiet, smooth, and relaxing — without any of the headaches: no charging, no range anxiety, and no waiting around. It fits right into Malaysian life, whether you’re living in a high-rise or taking long balik kampung drives with the fam.

Yes, it’s pricier than a regular turbo CR-V. And no, it’s not as snappy or customisable. But what you get in return is an SUV that feels smart, future-ready, and seriously easy to live with. 

Best part however to us? The no charging bit and the less frequent visits to petrol stations, because it can easily drive around in the Klang valley for a couple of days, take you to Perak and back and still have enough fuel for you to go around in the Klang valley for the next couple of days without needing to refill. AMAZING!

For a lot of Malaysians, this is the smarter move — the sweet spot between tech and tradition.

Honda CR-V e:HEV RS Specifications

Drivetrain: 2.0L DOHC i‑VTEC Atkinson Cycle Hybrid (e:HEV system)
Max Power Output: 184 PS (Combined)
Max Torque: 335 Nm (Electric Motor)
Transmission: Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e‑CVT)
Seats: 5
Safety Features: 8 Airbags, Honda SENSING: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN); Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Multi-View Camera System (360-degree Camera), Honda LaneWatch.