Item: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Rating: 3.3
Author: Justin Cupler

Overview

What's New

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid arrives with the same looks as the updated gas-powered CR-V. You can hardly tell it's the hybrid version outside of a few special badges.

The first-ever CR-V Hybrid becomes Honda's first electrified crossover SUV in the United States. The hybrid powertrain features a a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motor, and 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. All-wheel drive is also standard.

The CR-V Hybrid comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen and the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features, which includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Choosing Your Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V Hybrid is available in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Pricing starts at $28,870 including destination for the base LX model and tops out at $37,070 for the range-topping Touring.

Engine Choices

The CR-V Hybrid utilizes two electric motors: one starter/generator and one for propulsion. These are paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. Collectively, the hybrid powertrain is good for 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque.

The system doesn't have the need for gear changes, and instead utilizes an electronic single-speed transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

Fuel economy is where hybrid vehicles shine, and the CR-V delivers. It earns an EPA-estimated 40 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway, and 38 combined. Compare to that the gas CR-V, which only gets 27/32/29 mpg (city/highway/combined) with AWD.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Honda CR-V Hybrid offers seating for five passengers. It has 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 68.7 cubic feet with it folded flat. The hybrid system eats away at the standard CR-V's 39.2/75.8 cubic feet, but not by much.

Safety Features

All CR-V Hybrid models get adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, a driver attention monitor, and automatic high beams. All but the base model also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Touring trim gets front and rear parking sensors.

The CR-V Hybrid also features an acoustic vehicle alerting system, in which a bumper-mounted speaker generates an alert which is almost inaudible inside the cabin to prevent pedestrians from stepping in front of it when traveling using electric power.

Connectivity

The base CR-V Hybrid disappoints with a 5-inch LCD screen without smartphone integration. It does get Bluetooth, Pandora capability, one USB port, and a four-speaker audio system.

All other models get a modern infotainment system, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, satellite radio, an eight-speaker audio system, and two front and two rear USB ports.

The range-topping Touring model also gets navigation, a wireless phone charger, and a nine-speaker audio system.

LX - From $28,870

The CR-V Hybrid LX features 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights. Its sparse feature list includes automatic climate control, push button start, smart entry, a six-way manual driver seat, and the 5-inch display.

EX - From $31,380

The EX trim more than justifies its modest $2,510 price premium over the base model. In addition to the upgraded infotainment system, it gets a moonroof, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 12-way power driver's seat with memory, and remote start. On the outside, the EX equips LED fog lights, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, a security system, and rear privacy glass.

EX-L - From $33,870

It's a similar jump in price, but the EX-L's upgrades over EX models are less significant than the latter's improvements over the LX. The EX-L trim gets leather seating and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, as well as a heated steering wheel, a four-way power passenger seat, a power liftgate, ambient interior lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Touring - From $37,070

Distinguished externally by 19-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, the Touring benefits from navigation, a nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, and wireless device charging. Newly standard features also include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, and front and rear parking sensors.

Compare CR-V Hybrid Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The lack of infotainment features on LX trim is very disappointing, making the cheapest CR-V Hybrid hard to recommend. The EX trim adds several desirable features over the base model for a modest price increase, including the 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, and moonroof, making it our pick of the range.

Neil Cumins

Automotive Editor - April 08, 2020

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Expert Review

Pros

All-day comfort
Unimposing design
Soft, compliant ride

Cons

Feels heavy because it is
Blends in with crowd
Hybrid system cuts cargo space

Expert Rating

3.3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Justin Cupler

Automotive Editor - May 26, 2020

Hybrid crossover with looks for the masses. Honda introduced the fifth-generation CR-V in 2017 and followed the lead of its competition by adding a hybrid model to the 2020 lineup. The all-new 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid looks to combine everything its gas-only sibling offers with a thrifty electrified powertrain.

Honda’s execution left a little on the plate, as the hybrid system adds a ton of heft and dramatically shrinks its cargo space. These drawbacks hurt the hybrid, but it has plenty of positives going for it.

Style for the masses. When it redesigned the CR-V for 2017, Honda was careful not to break the mold the CR-V has long lived with. This tepid approach resulted in a look that, while modern, erred on the inoffensive side, making the Honda CR-V Hybrid a crossover for the masses.

That said, this for-the-masses approach is rather dull in a class that’s in a coming-of-age point in design. With aggressive looks coming from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the even sportier RAV4 Prime right around the corner, the CR-V Hybrid just looks bland.

Inside, function beats form in the CR-V Hybrid, as Honda pushes everything high up on the dash – including the push button gear shifter – leaving the lower area for storage. While this gives you plenty of space for odds and ends, it’s hardly an eye-grabbing design.

Gobbling up some of this storage space is an available wireless charging pad. While this charger is great in theory, its execution left us desiring much more. Any tap of the brakes sends your phone sliding forward, breaking the charge connection until you stomp in the accelerator to slide it back into place. Also, the USB charger ports are directly behind the charging pad, leaving them partially blocked once you sit a phone on it.

Honda CR-V Hybrid

Plenty of power, but feels heavy. The CR-V Hybrid boasts a combined 212 horsepower, which is a 22-hp boost over the base CR-V. While that may seem like a big bump, the extra weight the CR-V Hybrid totes around negates the increased power.

For reference, the CR-V Hybrid Touring AWD we drove tipped the scales at a flabby 3,763 pounds, which is just shy of 300 pounds more than the equivalent gas-only CR-V Touring AWD. This extra heft left it feeling heavy and sluggish off the line and in the corners. Its numb electric power steering didn’t help matters either.

While the heavy feeling is disappointing, the RAV4 Hybrid’s specs are no better. It tops out at 3,800 pounds and has only 219 combined horsepower. Buyers who want a little performance in their lives may want to wait on the upcoming 302-hp RAV4 Prime and its 5.8-second 0-60 mph time.

Despite the heavy feeling, the CR-V Hybrid was a great drive at highway speeds. It cruised over potholes and bumps with little drama and passed with confidence.

While its EPA-estimated 40 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway, and 38 combined fuel economy ratings are a decent bump over the gas CR-V. However, they're a touch behind the RAV4 Hybrid’s 41/38/40 mpg (city/highway/combined) split.

All-day comfort, but cargo room is light. The CR-V Hybrid’s front seats are nothing short of marvels. They offer all-day comfort and never force you to squirm around to find a comfortable spot. Even the back seats are quite comfy, plus they offer up to 40.4 inches of leg room, beating the RAV4 Hybrid by 2.6 inches.

Where the CR-V Hybrid takes a nosedive is in its cargo area, which is traditionally one of the strongest points of the standard CR-V. The hybrid only offers 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, or 68.7 cubes with the seat folded. These figures are down 6 and 7.1 cubic feet, respectively, compared to the non-hybrid CR-V.

A lot of this cargo-area loss is in vertical space, which we noted when trying to shove a kid’s 18-inch bike behind the seats. Many tire tracks were left on the headliner.

Its cargo numbers are short of the RAV4 Hybrid by 4.4 cubes with the rear seat up and 1.1 with it folded.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is a logical next step for Honda, as crossovers are the hottest-selling models in the U.S. now, so adding a thriftier hybrid only makes sense. About 95% of the CR-V Hybrid is just as good or better than the standard CR-V, but its cargo room needs serious work. Most automakers have figured out how to incorporate hybrid systems without gobbling up over 20% of its space behind the seats.

All told, the CR-V Hybrid does the job Honda meant it to do: offer a fuel economy boost without a big downturn in performance. Will it be a volume seller? No, but it'll fill the needs of longer-distance commuters who want something with a more toned-down design.

Buyers seeking a more exciting look or who must have tons of cargo space will find what they need in the RAV4 Hybrid. For those seeking an all-electric range or more satisfying straight-line speed, you may want to hold tight for the RAV4 Prime.

Check prices for the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Not Available

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 143 HP / 129 ft.lbs.

Transmission

2-spd CVT w/OD

Drive Type

Real Time Awd W/intelligent Control System Automatic Full-time All Wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

40 / 35 / 38 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 143 HP / 129 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Real Time Awd W/intelligent Control System Automatic Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	40 / 35 / 38 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank	14.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$53

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	68.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	106 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	182.1 "
Exterior Width	73.0 "
Exterior Height	66.5 "
Front Headroom	40.1 "
Rear Headroom	39.2 "
Front Legroom	41.3 "
Rear Legroom	40.4 "
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	3,649 Lbs.
Wheel Base	105 "
Turning Radius	18.7 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 19.0 " Black Aluminum / 19.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Decal
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote, Convex Spotter Driver
Bumpers	Front Body-colored With Metal-look Insert
Grille Moldings	With Chrome Bar / Black
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Split-bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers	4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control	Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	1

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Smartvent Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Smartvent Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Collision Mitigation Braking System (cmbs) + Fcw Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Keeping Assist System (lkas) W/road Departure Mitigation (rdm) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection	Collision Mitigation Braking System (cmbs) Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert	Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors	Front And Rear
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid for Sale

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