Difference Between the 2012 Japan and Thailand Honda CRV

At first glance, would you know the difference between a Japan made Honda CRV and one that's made in Thailand? Let's take a look.

First, check out some of the photos of the Honda CRV 2012 (Japan):
http://cheftonio.blogspot.com/2012/05/honda-crv-2012-manila-interior-and.html

Essentially, the Japan 2012 and the Thailand 2013 are just the same looking models. It's just that Japan came out with the CRV units first because the Thailand plant was delayed due to Thai flooding.
(News article: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/10/2012-honda-cr-v-could-face-delays-due-to-thai-flooding.html ) This forced Honda Philippines to import from Japan.

Here are some of the photos of the Honda CRV 2013 Thailand version:

Power Side Mirrors w/ Signal Light Inidcator

Power Window Switch + Power Side Mirror Switch

Leather Seats

Dual Map Light + Sunglass Holder. See that dot? A blue light emits from it at night to aid you when looking for stuff without letting you be seen from the outside.

Here's a side-by-side comparison on their differences:
To make it clear, we are comparing a
2.0 LX 2WD [2012] AT (Japan Version) and a
2.0 S 2WD [2013]  AT (Thailand Version)

The polished metal color is the Japan unit and the Orchid pearl white is the Thailand unit.
(1) The fastest way to tell a Japan unit from a Thailand unit is their front lip. Notice how aerodynamic-looking (thinner) the Japan CRV is compared to the Thailand one.

(2) Japan unit has matte finished greyish side grills while the Thailand one has a glossy finish.

(3) The Japan unit has DRL by default. DRL means Daytime Running Light.  As per Wikipedia description,

DRL is an automotive lighting device on the front of a roadgoing motor vehicle, installed in pairs, automatically switched on when the vehicle is moving forward, emitting white, yellow, or amber light to increase the conspicuity of the vehicle during daylight conditions. Numerous studies done worldwide since the 1970s have tended to conclude that daytime running lights improve safety.

Below is a photo of the Japan unit with the DRL activated. It automatically switches on as soon as you release the handbrake and won't turn off until you switch off the engine.

> The Japan model doesn't have power side mirrors while the Thailand has. You have to click a switch to retract the side mirrors. Also, the Thailand has signal lights on the side mirror while the Japan unit doesn't have.

> The door handles of the Japan unit matches the body color while the Thailand unit has chrome door handles.

> Japan unit has handbrake while the Thailand has foot brakes. (not in photo). Coin pockets are there in place of the hand brakes in the Thailand unit.

> The i-Mid system of the Japan model has less features while the Thailand has more features. Features like when the door locks will automatically lock and the likes can be adjusted in the Thailand unit. For the Japan unit, door locks will automatically activate as soon as you shift away from 'Park'.

> The Thailand unit has dual climate control and aircon vents located at the back of the middle console. Japan has no back seat aircon vents. (Or I haven't seen it yet).

In summary,
Japan - Normal seats ; Thailand - Leather seats
Japan - Matte finish grill surroundings ; Thailand - Glossy finish grill surroundings
Japan - With DRL ; Thailand - No DRL
Japan - Body color door handles ; Thailand - Chrome door handles
Japan - Normal side mirrors ; Thailand - Power side mirrors with signal light indicator
Japan - Hand brake ; Thailand - Foot brake
Japan - Simple i-Mid system ; Thailand - i-Mid system with more features
Japan - Single Climate Control A/C ; Thailand - Dual Climate Control A/C
Japan - Ordinary seats ; Thailand - Leather seats
Japan - Has tonneau cover (cargo area) ; Thailand - Optional

For the price,
2.0 LX 2WD [2012] AT (Japan Version) - Php 1,425,000.00
2.0 S 2WD [2013]  AT (Thailand Version) - Php 1,410,000.00

The Thailand version should only cost Php 1,390,000 but there's an additional Php 20,000 for the White Orchid color.

So more or less, they should be somewhat at the same price range. There's a cheaper base model for the Thailand CRV at Php 1,275,000 (MT) but from what I've heard, the "S" model (mentioned above) is worth the additional Php 115,000.

The Honda agent I was talking to also told me that there are still customers looking for the Japan version but currently, the only Japan CRV in stock is the highend 4x4 unit (Php 1,655,000). If you have the budget, right away, I'll tell you to get the Japan 4x4 CRV. Otherwise, you won't have a choice now on the lower models because the Japan is out of stock and they won't be importing them anymore.

Let's say you have a choice, which would you get? Japan or Thailand?

Honda Updated Price List: http://www.hondaphil.com/ver2/priceguide.php
(Check date of update)

Cheftonio
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