Zakirin
The Mitsubishi Xforce (RM 109,980 to RM 119,980) is an adventure-styled B-segment crossover SUV offering class-leading 222 mm ground clearance, dedicated wet-weather drive modes with Active Yaw Control (AYC), an 8-speaker Dynamic Sound Yamaha audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a 410-litre boot.
The Honda HR-V (RM 115,900 to RM 143,900) remains the segment sales benchmark in Malaysia, offering versatile powertrain options (1.5L NA, 1.5L VTEC Turbo with 181 PS, and 1.5L e:HEV RS hybrid), Honda’s signature Ultra Seats, and standard Honda SENSING active safety across all variants.
Quick Verdict:
- Choose the Mitsubishi Xforce if:You want class-leading 222 mm ground clearance to tackle flash floods and rough roads, dedicated driving modes (Wet/Gravel/Mud), an 8-speaker Dynamic Sound Yamaha audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a larger standard 410-litre boot under RM 120,000.
- Choose the Honda HR-V if:You want higher powertrain choices (181 PS VTEC Turbo or 253 Nm e:HEV hybrid), class-leading cabin packaging flexibility with Honda Ultra Seats (Magic Seats), standard Honda SENSING on every variant, and established local assembly (CKD) resale value.
💰 Estimated Monthly Ownership Breakdown
| Cost & Ownership Factor | Mitsubishi Xforce (Urban / Ultimate) | Honda HR-V (1.5 S / E Turbo / V Turbo / e:HEV RS) |
| Price (OTR w/o Insurance, Peninsular) | RM 109,980 – RM 119,980 | RM 115,900 – RM 143,900 |
| Standard Manufacturer Warranty | 5 Years / Unlimited Mileage | 5 Years / Unlimited Mileage (+8-Yr Hybrid Battery) |
| Estimated 5-Year Maintenance Cost | ~RM 3,400 – RM 3,900 (Mitsubishi Free/Pro Service) | ~RM 3,600 – RM 4,400 (Honda Scheduled Service) |
| Annual Road Tax (Peninsular MY) | RM 90 – RM 120 (1,499 cc) | RM 90 (1,498 cc) |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | ~6.2 L/100 km (~16.1 km/L) | 4.1 L/100 km (e:HEV) / 6.5 L/100 km (Turbo) / 5.9 L/100 km (NA) |
| Luggage Space (Boot) | 410 Litres (expandable) | 304L (e:HEV) / 314L (Turbo) / 319L (NA) (with Ultra Seats) |
| Est. Monthly Loan (9-Yr @ 3.0%–3.5%) | ~RM 1,165/mo – ~RM 1,270/mo | ~RM 1,225/mo – ~RM 1,525/mo |
📊 Comprehensive Specification Comparison
| Feature / Spec | Mitsubishi Xforce (Ultimate) | Honda HR-V (1.5 Turbo V / e:HEV RS) |
| Segment / Body Style | 5-Seater B-Segment Crossover SUV | 5-Seater B-Segment Crossover SUV |
| Assembly | CBU (Imported, Indonesia) | CKD (Local Assembly, Melaka, Malaysia) |
| Engine Type | 1.5L 4-Cylinder 16V MIVEC (4A91) | 1.5L VTEC Turbo (E/V) or 1.5L e:HEV Hybrid (RS) |
| Displacement | 1,499 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Transmission Type | Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) | Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT / e-CVT) |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) with Active Yaw Control | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Drive Modes | Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud | Econ, Normal, Sport |
| Max Power Output | 105 PS (104 hp / 77 kW) @ 6,000 RPM | 181 PS (Turbo) / 131 PS Motor (e:HEV RS) / 121 PS (NA) |
| Max Torque | 141 Nm @ 4,000 RPM | 240 Nm (Turbo) / 253 Nm Motor (e:HEV RS) / 145 Nm (NA) |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | ~11.8 seconds | 8.7 seconds (Turbo) / 10.7 seconds (e:HEV) |
| Top Speed | ~170 km/h | 200 km/h (Turbo) / 170 km/h (e:HEV) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,390 mm x 1,810 mm x 1,660 mm | 4,385 mm x 1,790 mm x 1,590 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 222 mm | 183 mm (Turbo) / 196 mm (NA & e:HEV) |
| Boot Space | 410 Litres | 304L (e:HEV) / 314L (Turbo) / 319L (NA) |
| Rear Seat Versatility | 40:20:40 Split-Folding with 8-Step Recline | Honda Ultra Seats (Utility, Tall, Long, Refresh Modes) |
| Wheels & Tyres | 18-inch Two-Tone Alloys (225/50 R18) | 18-inch Two-Tone Alloys (225/50 R18) |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.3-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio | 8.0-inch Display Audio (Wireless Apple CarPlay/AA) |
| Instrument Cluster | 8.0-inch Full Digital Driver Display | 7.0-inch TFT Semi-Digital Meter Cluster |
| Audio System | Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium (8 Speakers) | 8-Speaker Audio System |
| Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic with nanoe™X Air Purifier | Single/Dual-Zone Automatic with Air Diffusion System |
| Tailgate | Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Kick Sensor | Hands-Free Power Tailgate with Walk-Away Close |
| Airbags | 6 SRS Airbags | 6 SRS Airbags (Front, Side, Curtain) |
| ADAS Safety Suite | Diamond Sense (ACC, FCM/AEB, BSW, LCA, RCTA, AHB, LCDN) | Honda SENSING (ACC w/ LSF, LKAS, CMBS/AEB, RDM, AHB, LCDN) |
⚡ Key Differences Breakdown
🚗 Powertrain, Performance & Drivetrain Technology
- Mitsubishi Xforce: Relies on a single engine option—a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4A91 MIVEC engine producing 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque mated to a CVT. It offsets lower power with Active Yaw Control (AYC) and four integrated drive modes (Normal, Wet, Gravel, and Mud), which adjust traction control, throttle response, and brake-torque vectoring specifically for heavy tropical rainfall and slippery road conditions.
- Honda HR-V: Offers three distinct powertrains: a base 1.5L NA (121 PS / 145 Nm), a punchy 1.5L VTEC Turbo (181 PS / 240 Nm) delivering swift 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.7 seconds, and a fuel-sipping 1.5L e:HEV RS hybrid (131 PS / 253 Nm motor) achieving an ultra-low 4.1 L/100 km fuel consumption.
🎨 Ground Clearance, Dimensions & Seating Modularity
- Mitsubishi Xforce: Features a commanding SUV stance with a segment-leading 222 mm ground clearance, wider 1,810 mm body, and 2,650 mm wheelbase. It provides 410 Litres of boot space and versatile 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats with 8 levels of backrest recline.
- Honda HR-V: Features a lower coupe-like roofline with 183–196 mm of ground clearance. While its standard boot is smaller (304–319L), it features Honda Ultra Seats (Magic Seats), allowing the rear seat bases to flip up vertically to transport tall items (like potted plants or bicycles) or fold completely flat into the floor.
🛋️ Cabin Tech, Audio & Active Safety Features
- Mitsubishi Xforce: Focuses on premium infotainment and audio, headlined by a monolithic 12.3-inch touchscreen, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a co-developed 8-speaker Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium system with speed-sensing volume, dual-zone climate control with Panasonic nanoe™X filtration, and a center console cool box.
- Honda HR-V: Equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an Air Diffusion climate system that directs cool air along the roofline, a walk-away auto-locking tailgate, and standard Honda SENSING with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) across all four variants.
🌟 3 Things We Love
Mitsubishi Xforce
- Class-Leading 222 mm Ground Clearance & Wet Mode: High obstacle clearance and dedicated wet-weather AYC tuning provide outstanding confidence during heavy Malaysian monsoon downpours and flooded flash points.
- Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium Audio: The tuned 8-speaker Yamaha acoustic soundstage delivers exceptional instrument separation, punchy bass, and crystal-clear vocals uncommon in the sub-RM 120,000 crossover class.
- Generous 410L Boot & Cooling Console Box: A wide, deep luggage area easily swallows full-sized luggage, while the drink-chilling center console compartment keeps canned beverages cold on long road trips.
Honda HR-V
- Versatile Powertrain Lineup (VTEC Turbo & e:HEV Hybrid): Offering a potent 181 PS turbocharged engine for driving enthusiasts and a 4.1 L/100 km hybrid for fuel savers covers every buyer preference.
- Unrivalled Cabin Packaging with Ultra Seats: The four-mode Magic Seats (Utility, Tall, Long, Refresh) offer unmatched cargo-carrying flexibility that no traditional folding bench can replicate.
- Standard Honda SENSING on Every Variant: Including Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard across all trims sets a high safety baseline.
⚠️ 2 Things That Need Work
Mitsubishi Xforce
- Modest Engine Output (105 PS / 141 Nm): The naturally aspirated 1.5L engine feels adequate in city traffic but runs out of breath when overtaking at highway speeds or climbing steep inclines under a full passenger load.
- No Hybrid or Turbo Powertrain Option: In a market increasingly shifting towards hybrid efficiency and turbocharged performance, offering only a single naturally aspirated engine limits its appeal for performance-focused buyers.
Honda HR-V
- Smaller Standard Boot Capacity: At 304 to 319 Litres, the luggage area with the rear seats up is noticeably tighter than the Xforce’s 410-litre boot.
- Higher Price Ceiling for Turbo & Hybrid Models: Getting into the Turbo (E/V) or RS hybrid requires spending RM 130,900 to RM 143,900—substantially more than the fully equipped Xforce Ultimate (RM 119,980).
🏁 Buying Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Xforce is the ideal choice for buyers seeking an adventurous, rugged crossover with modern interior tech under RM 120,000. At RM 109,980 to RM 119,980, it delivers unbeatable ground clearance (222 mm), dedicated wet-weather chassis control, a premium Yamaha sound system, a massive 12.3-inch screen, and a 410-litre boot. For drivers who face rough road conditions or frequent monsoon downpours and want maximum value per Ringgit, the Xforce is a compelling, stylish package.
The Honda HR-V remains the class-leading benchmark for sheer versatility, performance, and everyday usability. While higher trims command a price premium (RM 115,900 to RM 143,900), the HR-V justifies its cost with its powerful 181 PS VTEC Turbo engine, ultra-efficient e:HEV hybrid system, standard Honda SENSING safety suite, and ingenious Ultra Seats. For buyers who prioritize highway passing power, hybrid fuel savings, and unmatched cabin storage tricks, the HR-V remains the benchmark in the B-SUV segment.
