2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid: So nice it made me think twice
Price: $39,845 as tested. No options on the test vehicle.
Conventional wisdom: Car and Driver likes that it’s “welltuned chassis feels substantial” and that it’s “less whiny and vibratory than turbo-CVT trims, fueleconomy boost pays for itself within typical ownership period.” On the down side, C&D testers said “slightly shrunken cargo area lacks underfloor storage, pity there’s no plug-in-hybrid version.”
Marketer’s pitch: “The hybrid that gives you more.”
Reality: I found the CR-V Hybrid to be such a nice companion that I became a little paranoid. What was I missing?
What’s new: The CR-V definitely adopted the tougher look of thePassport with the 2023 redesign.
Competition: Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Toyota Venza and Toyota RAV4.
Up to speed: The CR-V Hybrid features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain, creating 204 horses, a slight increase from previous models.
I put it on highways and hills, in many passing situations and uphill entrance ramps, and I was never disappointed. It’s not a neck snapper, but it’s no dog; those three added horses really shine through.
The CR-V is a testament to how 0-60 numbers often are not reflective of real-world driving feel. The hybrid gets to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, according to Car and Driver, but its daily driving is so much sportier.
Of course, pulling into traffic in a hurry will be its Achilles heel, so if you find yourself having to zip onto a freeway daily, maybe there’s another choice. Among hybrid SUVs, there is little; all of those mentioned above have a similar 060 time.
Sadly, a plug-in version is not available, though a fuel cell version is in the works.
Shiftless: Whenever I receive a Honda without a push-button gear selector, I’m overjoyed. The gearshift is a nice size and a good height with a solid feel.
With the two-motor hybrid setup, there are no real gears to select, but there are paddles for adding torque and a distinct shifting feel as the CR-V accelerates.
On the road: The SUV really slides through slaloms better than before. It feels sure-footed and confident, although in Normal mode, I noticed it can be a little jittery while cornering at lively speeds in town. It almost feels like rather than a smooth steering control, there are distinct nodes where it catches while turning the wheel.
Driver’s Seat: The CR-V Hybrid seat seemed ideal at first, but over time it revealed a very 1990s vibe, with a flattish bucket and not much grip. Bright side, people bothered by tight seat wings might find this to be just right.
The gauges are pure Honda, so they’re easy to follow and adjust. The steering wheel controls also add to the user-friendly feel; setting cruise and adjusting the stereo are all nicely done.
Friends and stuff: Legroom for rear-seat passengers is spacious, and even the middle occupant doesn’t have more than an inch or two of floor hump to suffer
The rear seat is about as middle of the road as the front. The seat back does adjust some, via the folddown lever. Lucky I figured it out because the seat was slanted awkwardly upon arrival.
Cargo space is 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 76.5 when it’s folded.
Play some tunes: The stereo is pretty good but definitely hasn’t achieved the playback that delighted me so much in the Odyssey. I was fine with it for a few days but then realized it really rings and sticks on the high notes, ruining the jangly guitars that Tom Petty fans love. I’d give it a B-plus.
Operation is not bad, with a small dial for tuning and arrow buttons for moving around. The 9inch touchscreen is a small throwback but functional.
Fuel economy: I averaged just under 33 mpg in mostly side roads, not that delightfully awesome for a hybrid, but about par for the midsize hybrid SUV course. (The Sportage and the Venza hit 35-36 in Mr. Driver’s Seat testing, but I’m no longer confident in my Hyundai Tucson 29 mpg report; let’s figure it matches the CR-V.)
Where it’s built: Alliston, Ontario
How it’s built: The CR-V Hybrid gets middling predicted reliability fromConsumer Reports, a 3 of 5.
In the end: If you can live with the stereo, the seats and the fuel economy, the CR-V Hybrid really has a lot to offer and is probably one of the nicest out on the road.
Though I’d be happy in the CR-V or the Sportage, I’d probably pay the freight for the Venza for the very nice surroundings.