Honda Cars PHL says ‘konnichiwa’ to all-new City, new CR-V

Company’s first virtual launch comes as it marks 30^th anniversary

HONDA CARS Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), the country’s official importer and distributor of Honda automobiles, showed its enthusiasm regarding the country’s potential for an economic comeback with the twin launch of two of its most popular models in the country: the new Honda CR-V and fifth-generation Honda City.

The double reveal was HCPI’s first-ever online launch event; and it coincides with the celebration of its 30-year anniversary in the Philippines this October.

The Honda CR-V was first introduced in the Philippines back in 1996, and has since become one of HCPI’s strongest sellers. It immediately became a favorite among Filipinos because the model combines the space and roominess of a large wagon with the mobility of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The CR-V has, in fact, now been sold in more than 130 countries, and is one of Honda’s main pillars.

This latest CR-V, which was first made available for viewing and purchase in dealerships nationwide beginning last Friday, showcases a newly designed exterior and several improvements in its cabin appointments. It carries a redesigned front bumper with chrome accents, new roof rails, and a redesigned rear bumper.

LED headlights and fog lights are now standard across all variants, as is a convenient power tailgate. The top-of-the-line variant offers a special, hands-free-access power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, and auto rain-sensing wipers.

Inside the new CR-V is a seven-inch touchscreen display audio system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver can enjoy an eight-way, power adjustable driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support; the front passenger can now also enjoy a four-way power adjustable seat in the top-of-the-line model. A wireless mobile charger made accessible to the driver is also a new plus.

The new CR-V’s third row is now fitted with additional air-con vents with controls, surely to the delight of rear seat passengers. It carries 50:50 split reclining seats, and can offer up to 472 liters of cargo space, if the third row is tumbled. For more versatility, the second row can additionally be tumbled to offer a total of 967 liters of cargo room.

While all its diesel variants are seven-seaters, the 2.0L S model can accommodate five passengers along with 522 liters of cargo space in the back.

Powering the CR-V is a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission (for the seven-seaters), which spits out 120ps of power and 300Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the five-seater CR-V is powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC gasoline engine mated to a CVT, delivering 154ps and 189Nm.

Certain models of the new CR-V also now carry the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistive functions, which rely on a monocular camera and wave millimeter radar installed on the vehicle to work together to monitor and assess the road conditions ahead. Based on the data it gathers, it then alerts the driver of potential dangers on the road. Included in this suite of driver-assists are: a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, a lane-keeping assist system, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam.

Delightfully, the new CR-V now only requires preventive maintenance checks twice a year. It also scored an impressive five stars on the ASEAN NCAP (17-protocol) safety rating.

The new CR-V starts at P1.678 million for the 2.0L S variant, and goes up to P2.158 million for the top-of-the-line diesel AWD variant.

Meanwhile, the Honda City, which was first launched in the Philippines back in 1996, has become HCPI’s top-selling sedan. It was conceived as a regional model to address the needs of the Asian market, and has always been praised most especially for its comfortable and spacious interior that excels over its competitors in the segment.

The new Honda City is now longer, wider, and lower by 10mm compared to its previous-gen model. It has a new front bumper with a chrome front grille, LED tail lamps, and features LED daytime running lights in certain variants. The subcompact now uses a one-push start system, carries an eight-inch touchscreen display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and uses rotary knobs with a digital display for its air-conditioning controls. As an upgrade, rear ventilation is now also available.

Moreover, the new Honda City boasts of expanded legroom and knee clearance, and significantly better NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), thanks to 3.5 times more sound absorbers applied to the area around the engine. Best of all, it now, for the first time, offers a sportier option with its new RS variant, which aims to be branded as a best-value sporty sedan to Filipinos.

The 1.5L RS CVT variant comes with a high-gloss black front grille, full LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED fog lights, a trunk spoiler, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The interior is gifted with leather and suede seat material accentuated with black and red stitching, sport pedals, paddle shifters, a multi-information display with red illumination, eight speakers (four of which are tweeters), and it also offers a remote-engine start (which is a first for the City).

The following safety features are also made available across all variants: vehicle stability assist, emergency stop signal, anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist, speed-sensing auto door lock, and side air bags. A multi-view rear camera is available in the top variants. The City also gets five stars from the ASEAN NCAP.

The new Honda City is now sold at special introductory rates which are valid until the end of the year. Its promotional price tag starts at P838,000; while its top-of-the-line RS variant will cost P1.048 million.

Through 2020, HCPI has remained among the top 10 motoring industry leaders in the Philippines. Happy 30^th anniversary, HCPI!