No stopping Honda’s lean, green machine
Honda’s popular family CR-V offroader is going ‘green’ with the first petrol-electric hybrid version launched in Europe.
The new CR-V hybrid is a remarkably smooth operator, as I found driving it on the international launch in Seville on Friday.
It was astonishingly quiet and has gutsy pulling power – especially in ‘sport’ mode. Although not a fully electric car, it feels like one. Think of it more as an electric car with a petrol engine on board.
The 2-litre engine has two functions – it not only powers the wheels directly, it also acts as the CR-V’s own on-board generator to create electricity to allow the electric motor to drive the wheels. I couldn’t see or feel the join. There’s none of the ‘range anxiety’ associated with fully electric cars when you can’t find a charging point, either.
It replaces the diesel option, which accounted for 60% of sales, but which has been dumped as Honda aims for two thirds of sales with some form of electrification by 2025. Prices start at €38,000, with first deliveries early next year.
The move is significant because the CR-V is the world’s biggest selling SUV.
Available in four and two-wheel drive, there are four trim levels – S, SE, SR and top-range EX.
The entry-level two-wheel drive S is packed with standard safety features including collision mitigation braking systems, lane-keeping assist and more. The gizmos proliferate as you move up the spec chart to the 4x4 EX.
Instead of a conventional gear lever, there are push-buttons and
IT BOASTS GUTSY PULLING POWER – ESPECIALLY IN SPORT MODE
switches to select Drive, Park or Neutral. It all takes a little getting used to. The new hybrid combines a 145hp 2-litre petrol engine with two electric motors producing 184hp. Around town, the CR-V ‘shuffles’ seamlessly between hybrid and full-electric drive.
The full 4x4 version heads from rest to 100kph in 9.2 seconds and goes up to 180kph. It will average a frugal 4.6-litres/100km, rising to 4.2-litres/100km when cruising, with CO2 emissions of 126g/km (Band B1 - €270 per annum) emissions.