The All-New Proton X50 has captured the attention of Malaysians nationwide, with 5,000 bookings recorded within just 10 days of opening its order books on 5 July. The overwhelming response follows a highly successful nationwide prelaunch tour that brought the new SUV to major city attractions, where eager onlookers turned up in droves for a glimpse of Proton’s latest B-segment contender.
According to Proton, one booking for the All-New X50 is received every three minutes. This impressive rate reflects a 50 per cent take-up of the early bird promotion, which offers a RM1,000 cash rebate, a special edition Touch ‘n Go card, and an exclusive GEMPAK! Deal. These incentives are reserved for the first 10,000 customers, with only half of that number still available.
The full pricing structure of the All-New X50 will be disclosed during its official launch event, scheduled for the evening of 24 July. Ahead of that, Proton has announced that public test drives will commence at showrooms nationwide from 19 July, giving potential buyers the opportunity to experience the vehicle’s performance and features first-hand.
Zeekr Malaysia marked a significant milestone with the official opening of Zeekr Sunway in the heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, representing a major stride forward for the premium electric vehicle brand in the country. Spearheaded by Sunway Marketing, Zeekr’s pioneering dealer partner in Malaysia, the launch solidifies the company’s commitment to building a strong retail and service ecosystem in one of Malaysia’s most vibrant urban hubs.
The new establishment, which comprises the Zeekr Space Sunway City showroom and the adjacent Zeekr Sunway Service Centre, represents an investment exceeding RM10 million. Together, these facilities are designed to support every phase of the Zeekr ownership journey — from purchase and delivery to aftersales care — and reflect a holistic approach to customer engagement and satisfaction.
Zeekr Space Sunway City occupies an 11,100 square-foot footprint along Persiaran Lagoon, on the site of the former Sunway City helipad. The facility houses six dedicated display bays, showcasing the brand’s latest offerings such as the Zeekr X and Zeekr 009. It also includes two delivery bays, giving customers the opportunity to celebrate and capture the moment of receiving their new vehicle.
Japanese tuning legend TOP SECRET is returning to the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur (TAS) this year with one of its most celebrated and rarest creations – the VR32 Stealth Nissan GT-R.
The highly anticipated showcase will take place from 8 to 10 August 2025 atthe Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), where fans will also get the chance to meet the mastermind behind the machine, Kazuhiko “Smokey” Nagata, now making his third consecutive appearance at the event.
At the heart of the VR32 Stealth GT-R is an ambitious and meticulously executed fusion: the 3.8-litre powerplant from the modern R35 GT-R has been transplanted into the shell of the iconic BNR32.
After weeks of teasing, Honda Malaysia has officially taken the cover off the new, facelifted Honda HR-V.
With over 170,000 units sold after it was first introduced, the new HR-V is set to continue the success story.
The updated third-generation model brings with it a slew of updates that further cement its position as the number one non-national B-Segment SUV in the country.
From the outside, the updates include a new front grille that is wider than before.
The new front is further distinguished by a redesigned front bumper.
The updates to the rear are limited to a new, sleeker full-LED tail light cluster while other exterior updates include redesigned wheels.
All variants also come with 18-inch wheels now while before the lower two variants ran on 17-inchers.
As for the interior of the car, the centre console has been updated and now includes a storage compartment slotted right below the air-conditioning controls.
The eight-inch infotainment system now comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Choice of powertrains are the same as before, with a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder DOHC, i-VTEC engine putting out 121PS and 145Nm of torque, transferred to the wheels through a CVT gearbox. This is found in the entry level HRVs and is the same engine powering the Honda City.
Further up, there is a 1.5-litre VTEC, Turbo engine rated at 181PS and 240Nm with power sent to the wheels through a CVT gearbox.
The flagship e:HEV hybrid model also remains unchanged as far as the powertrain is concerned. It offers an engine that works as a generator for an electric motor.
The motor puts out 131PS and 253Nm while the 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated, DOHC, I-VTEC four-pot engine puts out 105PS and 127Nm.
The hybrid system in Hondas is unique because unlike other hybrid powertrains, the Atkinson Cycle engine is able to exclusively power the car at high speed without the electric motor backing it up.
As for safety systems, Honda Sensing is now available for all variants. However, there are two new systems that have now been included for the flagship, the Adaptive Driving Beam and the Active Cornering Light.
iCAUR Malaysia is strengthening its presence in the local EV scene with the launch of the iCAUR iCONIC Roadshow, a 10-day experiential showcase running from 17 to 27 July 2025 at The Waterfront, Desa ParkCity. This initiative aims to bring the brand’s trailblazing innovation and bold design philosophy closer to the public, offering a deeper look into the much-anticipated iCAUR 03 electric SUV.
As Malaysia continues to lead iCAUR’s global expansion, the country has become the first international market to debut the all-electric iCAUR 03. The momentum from earlier iXPERIENCE roadshows held at Eco Ardence and 1 Utama has carried over into this latest event, which places the brand’s off-road-ready SUV in a vibrant urban environment for prospective customers to experience firsthand.
The iCAUR 03 is available in two powertrain options, tailored to suit a range of driving preferences. The standard two-wheel-drive (2WD) version is powered by a 184PS motor delivering 220Nm of torque, and is equipped with a 65.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering an NEDC-rated range of 426km. For those seeking enhanced performance, the Intelligent Wheel Drive (iWD) variant features dual motors with a combined output of 279PS and 385Nm of torque. It comes with a 69.8kWh battery capable of delivering a 418km range under the NEDC standard.
Over the years, the Honda CR-V has cemented itself as the darling of Malaysian car buyers looking for a spacious SUV.
Ever since it was first introduced back in 1997, the CR-V has found a place in close to half a million homes, or perhaps more.
It is not difficult to see why it is so popular either. The CR-V offers a pleasant combination of comfort, practicality and advanced features.
Over the years, the CR-V has found itself in the crosshairs of aggressive competitors. First it was competition from other Japanese marques, particularly the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and the Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Then came the Koreans with the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage. Later the Americans joined the fight too with the Ford Escape and Chevrolet Captiva.
Of course, the competition has been relentless with more salvo’s from within Japan with Mazda introducing the CX-7, Mitsubishi and the Outlander / ASX and even the Europeans with the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Peugeot 3008.
Fast forward a couple of years though, and it is safe to say that the competition has never been more heated.
Now, we have fights on almost all fronts. Proton shook things up with the X70 and Chinese marques like Chery and the Tiggo 7 and the Haval H6 has meant that the CR-V is now a big fish in an ever-decreasing pond.
It is a good time to be a buyer though because you are spoilt for choice. So, in a world of choices, does the Honda CR-V still make a solid case for itself to convince you to part with your hard-earned money?
We think so, and here are five reasons why:
1. Efficiency.
In the context of the flagship Honda CR-V RS e:HEV, efficiency is something that it excels at.
Honda Malaysia claims that the hybrid CR-V can travel 20km on just a litre of fuel. Now car makers have a tendency of overestimating the capabilities of their cars, so we put that claim to the test earlier this year and achieved a remarkable 19.8km per litre. That is pretty close and good enough for us.
So, in a time where everything seems to be getting more expensive and unpredictable, a car that is consistently efficient should be a relief.
2. BOSE audio system.
A good audio system should never be underestimated. We spend a lot of time in our cars and one of the best things to do is to listen to your favourite music in absolute clarity.
A lot of car makers offer decent connectivity these days with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, but very few offer a good sound system.
We have tried out the BOSE sound system and it is simply remarkable. And let’s not forget that BOSE was once only available in more expensive cars, so the fact that Honda Malaysia is offering it in its flagship CR-V is commendable.
3. Refinement.
Another point never to be underestimated. Not sure about you, but we find it incredibly annoying when wind and tyre noise is noticeable inside the cabin. That is a deal breaker, and a lot of car models have been ticked off the list by buyers simply because their cabins were noisy when on the move.
Not the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV though. It offers a silent, refined interior which it achieves by using two key pieces of technology: wheel resonators and active noise cancellation.
Wheel resonators are small chambers in wheels with enclosed plastic or rubber materials. These are usually attached to the surface of the wheel to absorb sound and vibrations.
And the Active Noise Cancellation technology is a clever piece of technology which was first introduced in the headphones worn by pilots some years ago. This technology emits sound frequencies through the speakers that cancel out ambient sounds, making the cabin quieter.
And there is no better indication of a premium car than a cabin that remains quiet in all situations.
4. Driving dynamics.
How do you tell apart the “OG’s” from the newcomers? From the way they drive of course.
So, there might be a lot of newcomers to the SUV market, but there is one thing that almost all of them will struggle to match and that is the driving dynamics of Honda cars.
This may not be important to all car buyers, but after you have driven a car with a well-tuned ride and handling, it will be difficult to drive anything else.
Have you ever felt dead spots in a car’s steering? The part where you turn the steering wheel, but nothing happens? Annoying, isn’t it? You don’t get that in a Honda.
Honda cars are designed to respond to all your steering input and it is something that you must feel to believe. So, visit your closest Honda showroom to feel it for yourself.
5. Honda Sensing.
Safety, safety, safety. Every car maker talks about it and every car has it. Honda included.
But what is Honda Sensing you might ask? It is basically a suite of advanced safety systems designed to keep you and other road users safe. And the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV comes filled to the brim with safety systems.
It comes with such systems like Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning and even Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow.
It has many other systems, but the hybrid variant is the only CR-V to come with Adaptive Driving Beam. This ensures you don’t accidentally blind oncoming cars by automatically moving the light beam away to illuminate other dark spots on the road. Clever, isn’t it? Thought so too.
Never a better time to buy a Honda CR-V.
It’s true. Among the many competitors, the Honda CR-V has made a name for itself as a purveyor of space, comfort and practicality.
And Honda Malaysia has further sweetened the deal with its Mid-Year Bonanza rebates. This is where you will get to enjoy total combined rewards of up to RM13,000* (RM10,000* in cash and RM3,000* service voucher and valid until 31st of July 2025).
So, if a big SUV at under RM200,000 is what you want, the Honda CRV e:HEV RS is the one you want.
