Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Honda HR-V costs RM16,880 less, seats five and has a 335-litre boot, so it is the more practical choice for regular family duty. Its 119 hp petrol engine needs 12.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h, however, where the iCaur V23’s two motors deliver 208 hp, 292 Nm and a 7.5-second sprint. The V23 also brings 430 km of EV range, AWD and 104 kW DC charging, but it has only four seats and 234 litres of boot space. Pick according to charging access and passenger needs.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you need five seats, a 335-litre boot and a lower upfront cost without relying on charging.
Pick the iCaur V23 if you have dependable charging and want 208 hp, AWD and a 430 km EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; iCaur V23 RM132,780
- Power and torque: Honda HR-V 119 hp/145 Nm; iCaur V23 208 hp/292 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds; iCaur V23 7.5 seconds
- Seats and boot: Honda HR-V 5 seats/335 litres; iCaur V23 4 seats/234 litres
- Driveline: Honda HR-V front-wheel drive; iCaur V23 all-wheel drive
- Warranty: Honda HR-V 5 years/unlimited mileage; iCaur V23 7 years/150,000 km
HR-V
- RM16,880 lower purchase price
- Five seats and a 335-litre boot
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the V23’s 208 hp and 292 Nm
- 12.1-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.6 seconds slower
- Four airbags versus the V23’s six
V23
- 208 hp, 292 Nm and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 81.76 kWh battery with 430 km range and 104 kW DC charging
- AWD, six airbags and blind-spot monitoring
- RM16,880 higher purchase price
- Only four seats and a 234-litre boot
- Seven-year warranty is capped at 150,000 km, unlike the HR-V’s unlimited-mileage cover
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900✓ | RM132,780 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM180 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 208 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 292 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 81.76 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 430 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 104 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h✓ | 140 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,220 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,820 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres✓ | 234 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 265/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Chao Yang Radial RP76+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 15.4" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/160000 km Battery Warranty, Drive Unit & High Voltage Components |
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 HR-V & V23 for sale
HR-V vs V23 FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or iCaur V23 better?
The Honda HR-V is better for five occupants, more luggage and lower purchase cost. The iCaur V23 is better for outright performance, AWD and EV driving, provided its four-seat cabin and charging needs suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur V23 costs RM16,880 more than the Honda HR-V: RM132,780 versus RM115,900.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Honda HR-V is more practical for a family because it has five seats and a 335-litre boot. The iCaur V23 has four seats and 234 litres of boot space.
