Honda Malaysia Sold Over 11,700 Hybrid Models This Year

Blue-tint Honda 'H-badge' is a signature trait denoting any hybrid model variant from the Japanese marque.

During the official launch of its new sixth-generation Honda CR-V, Honda Malaysia revealed sales of its e:HEV hybrid models have surpassed 11,700 units this year (2023). This is perhaps a reflection of the wide acceptance of said H-brand’s electrified powertrain tech amongst local Malaysian consumers.

As a refresher, Honda Malaysia currently offers no less than FOUR e:HEV hybrid models through nameplates like the recently refreshed City, City Hatchback, HR-V, and Civic. Each sees a sporty and premium e:HEV RS guise available, and all are also produced locally (CKD) at Honda Malaysia’s facility in Pagoh, Melaka.

Through hybrid (e:HEV RS) variants of the City, City Hatchback, HR-V, and Civic, Honda Malaysia saw its hybrid sales surpass 11,700 units this year (2023).

A fifth new model is set to come early next year in the form of the new CR-V e:HEV RS. It’s also worth noting that this hybrid variant of the CR-V garnered the second highest demand for said nameplate, accounting for 28% of the 2,000 total initial bookings garnered ahead of its launch earlier this week.

The latter feat is impressive indeed especially considering the fact that Honda Malaysia has yet to reveal its official price – only the non-hybrid variants were launched this week. For reference, this trio of non-hybrid variants of the new sixth-gen CR-V is priced between RM159,900 and RM181,900.

Nevertheless, this same demand for the electrified CR-V – a first for said nameplate – will likely bolster Honda Malaysia’s total hybrid sales figure when it eventually launches next year.

The latest sixth-gen CR-V sees itself gaining a new hybrid variant for the first time, and will be the fifth e:HEV RS model Honda Malaysia has in its range once it goes on sale next year (2024).

The new CR-V e:HEV RS hybrid variant adopts a similar i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) system derived from the Civic e:HEV RS saloon. This package harnesses a 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol mill plus an electric motor and compact 1.05 kWh battery pack, both tied to an eCVT automatic box.

In the CR-V, much of the i-MMD’s drive is supplied by the latter electric motor, which develops  184 PS (135 kW) and 335 NM. The petrol mill serves as a generator for the most parts to charge the electric system’s battery, but can clutch in directly at higher speeds to serve up 148 PS and 190 NM.

The electrified CR-V will also be the peppiest e:HEV RS model offered by Honda Malaysia. Though both share the same powertrain package, the CR-V boasts higher outputs figures over the Civic's.

Said figure sees the latest CR-V’s hybrid variant being peppier than the Civic e:HEV RS model. As a refresher, said saloon’s combustion mill supplies 143 PS and 189 NM, whilst the electric system paired with it boasts 184 PS and 315 NM. You can read our first-hand experience of this by clicking these blue words…

In the smaller City, City Hatchback, and HR-V trio, the i-MMD powertrain fielded in them operates in a similar fashion too, albeit using a smaller 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mill instead. You can read how this system fared in the City Hatchback e:HEV RS by clicking these blue words…