Ciimo Honda M-NV

Model Overview

The Ciimo M-NV is an all-electric B-segment SUV under Dongfeng Honda's Ciimo sub-brand. First introduced in 2020, the model is essentially an electrified spin-off of the Honda XR-V. On 16 June 2023, the 2023 M-NV made its official debut at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show as a mid-lifecycle facelift model. The updated crossover continues to be offered in two variants: Shangcheng Edition and Shangyi Edition, with official retail prices of RM149,800 and RM159,800 respectively. The 2023 update brings key revisions to the cabin, powertrain output, and driving range. Aimed at urban young buyers, its primary rivals include electric B-segment SUVs such as the BYD Yuan UP and GAC Aion AION Y.

Design Language

The 2023 M-NV adopts Honda's e:NP dedicated design language. Up front, it sports a semi-enclosed grille paired with full-width LED headlights, complemented by prominent chrome garnishes and a trapezoidal darkened lower air intake on the front bumper. The side profile carries sleek, flowing lines with a coupe-like fastback silhouette, while the rear door handles retain the XR-V's signature hidden styling integrated near the C-pillar quarter glass. Round the back, the SUV gets full-width smoked LED taillights and a roof-mounted hollowed-out spoiler. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4,324 mm in length, 1,785 mm in width, and 1,637 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,610 mm. It rides on 18-inch five-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels as standard across the range. Inside, the 2023 iteration is refreshed with a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen. Gear selection is handled via a shift-by-wire push-button console, and the cabin is upholstered in faux leather.

Powertrain & Performance

The powertrain of the 2023 M-NV has received a substantial upgrade. It is driven by a front-mounted single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing a maximum output of 160 kW (around 218 PS) and peak torque of 310 Nm, delivering a noticeable performance jump over the previous 120 kW unit. The official 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.4 seconds, with top speed rated at 160 km/h.

On the range front, the 2023 model swaps in a FinDreams lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack (sourced from BYD's Shaoxing FinDreams Battery), featuring a capacity of 60.02 kWh and an energy density of 141.9 Wh/kg. It is rated for a CLTC pure electric range of 505 km (some documentation also quotes 500 km), with an energy consumption figure of 13.4 kWh/100 km. For charging, it supports up to 65 kW DC fast charging, which juices the battery from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the M-NV rides on a setup consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. While standard fare for subcompact crossovers, the rear torsion beam provides only mediocre bump absorption. Some owners have pointed out that the ride leans on the firmer side, with average filtering over rough tarmac. Crucially, the battery pack sits at the lowest point of the underbody—lower than the side sills—which warrants extra caution and reduced speed when traversing uneven surfaces. The vehicle comes in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, paired with electric power steering that provides nimble handling ideal for urban commuting.

Cabin & Equipment

In the tech department, the 2023 M-NV features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment screen. The head unit supports Amap online navigation, 4G connectivity, OTA updates, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition, with selected sources noting CarLife smartphone connectivity support.

For comfort amenities, the range-topping Shangyi Edition adds a wireless smartphone charging pad. Seating is configured in a standard 5-seater layout wrapped in faux leather upholstery, with the Shangyi Edition gaining heated front seats. Other interior highlights include 24-colour ambient lighting and an in-cabin PM2.5 air purification filter. Benefiting from Honda's renowned "Man Maximum, Machine Minimum" (M/M) packaging philosophy, rear passenger room is commendable. Boot capacity starts at 318 litres and expands up to 1,190 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded down. However, dedicated rear air-con vents are omitted.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, the M-NV is built on a high-rigidity body structure. Passive safety equipment includes front dual airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. On the active safety front, it comes standard with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Advanced driver assistance is handled by the Honda SENSING suite, which packs features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). Other driving aids include a reverse camera, cruise control, and a drive mode selector (Standard/Comfort/Sport), with a 360-degree surround-view camera available as an option on higher-grade trims.

Market Performance & Editorial Verdict

As the sole offering in Ciimo's current line-up, the M-NV has seen its sales trajectory slide from initial sluggishness to a brief recovery before hitting zero. In 2022, annual sales stood at 8,988 units; the first half of 2024 recorded 1,293 units, with June accounting for 361 units. By December 2024 and March 2025, brand sales had effectively flatlined. Dealership discounts are currently massive, reaching up to RM40,000 in certain areas, bringing dealer street prices down to just over RM100,000.

Market feedback highlights the M-NV's honest real-world range, composed ride dynamics, and reputable Honda build quality, but notes its relatively conservative styling, slightly lagging smart tech, and basic rear torsion beam suspension as drawbacks. The biggest sticking point remains its Ciimo emblem in place of the coveted Honda "H" badge—a compromise that severely undermines its brand recognition. Overall, backed by Honda's global EV engineering, a punchy 160 kW motor, a 505 km range, Honda SENSING, and heavy showroom discounts, the M-NV carves out a compelling value proposition in the RM100,000 to RM160,000 electric B-SUV bracket. Nonetheless, hindered by weak brand cachet, product positioning, and intense market rivalry, its commercial performance has fallen well short of targets.