The "two-horse" race of 5-seat SUVs in the Vietnamese auto market

The race in the 5-seat SUV segment is bringing its own interesting features with the "twin horses" Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5...

It is no coincidence that Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are the leading pair, especially when recently, CX-5 has had a strong acceleration in sales output.

Not as crowded and hot as the small car segment or the 7-seat multi-purpose vehicle group, the race in the 5-seat SUV segment brings its own interesting features with the "twin horses" Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

In March 2013, Honda Vietnam officially launched a completely new generation of the 5-seat multi-purpose vehicle CR-V. It can be said that the changes have brought CR-V an almost unique position in the next half year. If the old generation only maintained the presence of CR-V in the market, the new generation has brought success to the Japanese car company with consecutive monthly sales in the top 10 best-selling cars.

However, after domestic automaker Truong Hai took over the role of manufacturing and distributing Mazda in Vietnam, the appearance of the name CX-5 in 2012 brought excitement to the competition in the 5-seat SUV segment.

After about a year of being busy with brand development activities and perfecting the sales and service system, Mazda CX-5 has started to accelerate its sales volume in the past year.

In the same segment, both have Japanese origin, possess many parameters that are almost the same; and in terms of brand reputation, both are also on par with each other.

In terms of size, these two models have almost no difference. Honda CR-V has a total size of 4,535 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,685 mm high, just a little smaller than the size of 4,540 mm long, 1,840 mm long and 1,710 mm high of Mazda CX-5.

Engine power also barely makes a difference. The CX-5's maximum power is 152 horsepower for the 4-wheel drive version and 153 horsepower for the 1-wheel drive version. Also using a 2.0-liter engine, the Honda CR-V also reaches a maximum power of 152 horsepower. The difference is that the CR-V has another option, a 2.4-liter engine with a maximum power of 187 horsepower.

The features and technology are also very balanced. Both models are equipped with a series of new technologies from electric driver's seats, smart display screens, multimedia connections, modern driving modes as well as safety systems such as anti-lock brakes, electronic balance, electronic brake force distribution, hill start assist...

The most obvious difference is probably the design. While the CR-V respects the classic and simple style, the CX-5 pursues the unconventional. That is why, naturally, these two models have created their own "pieces" when competing for market share. Although not really clear, it is not difficult to see that the CR-V's customer group is older, often successful businessmen, while the CX-5's customers are often younger and more adventurous.

From this reality, it is not by chance that Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are the leading pair, especially when recently, CX-5 has had a strong acceleration in sales output.

The latest report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) shows that in August 2014, the number of Mazda CX-5 cars sold in the market reached 258 units and officially surpassed its rival Honda CR-V for the first time (reaching 247 units). Thereby, CX-5 began to shorten the gap in total annual sales volume with its rival.

Also according to VAMA's report, in the first 8 months of 2014, the total sales volume of Honda CR-V reached 1,994 units, still significantly higher than the production volume of 1,530 units of Mazda CX-5.

In terms of sales alone, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are truly worthy rivals. In fact, in the 5-seat SUV segment, there are many other competitors such as Kia Sportage, Suzuki Grand Vitara or Hyundai Tucson. However, these competitors seem to be too weak compared to their competitors when, cumulatively, since the beginning of the year, the number of cars sold for each model has not exceeded 100 units.

Perhaps the most regrettable is the withdrawal of the Ford Escape, a competitor that consumers considered to be truly on par with the current "twin horse" pair.

According to VnEconomy