In search of a spacious crossover at a great worth, with nice gasoline financial system, and accessible all-wheel drive? Many patrons are, and we level them to the Honda CR-V Hybrid, our Finest SUV To Purchase 2024.
Earlier than we extol the virtues of the CR-V Hybrid, take into account that the classification of SUV has advanced past the outdated truck-based SUV with as much as three rows of seats and a tough and tumble experience with truck-like gasoline financial system. Blame automotive advertising, search engine marketing, or our personal egos, however SUV now serves as an umbrella time period for any high-riding automobile with accessible all-wheel drive, seating for no less than 5, and a tailgate. Name it a crossover, name it an SUV, no matter you name it, we name the Honda CR-V Hybrid the most effective general package deal within the automotive world’s hottest phase.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid wasn’t the highest-rated SUV in our distinctive TCC Score system (learn extra about how we charge vehicles)—some luxurious and electrical crossovers charge larger—nevertheless it excels as being probably the most sensible, value-oriented crossover SUV on sale now.
Redesigned for 2023, the 2024 Honda CR-V earns a TCC Score of seven.0 out of 10, and rolls into the brand new 12 months with no actual adjustments apart from a $950 worth hike and a brand new mid-grade Sport-L hybrid trim. The 2024 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid now prices $34,645, together with a $1,295 vacation spot payment. That is $3,850 greater than the gas-only CR-V LX base mannequin and its 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo-4. However for the reason that Sport Hybrid relies off the $33,305 EX, the hybrid upcharge is barely $1,340 extra.
It is higher outfitted than the $34,335 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE with commonplace all-wheel drive, extra dependable than the Ford Escape Hybrid, and a greater package deal and a lot better experience than the equally priced Hyundai Tucson Hybrid that comes commonplace with AWD.
2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid
All-wheel drive provides $1,500 to the CR-V’s commonplace front-drive setup and it loses 3 mpg mixed. The EPA charges the front-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid at 43 mpg metropolis, 36 freeway, 40 mixed, whereas AWD variations get 40/34/37 mpg. The RAV4 AWD will get 39 mpg mixed, whereas the Tucson AWD will get 38 mpg, and in our testing the CR-V Hybrid constantly got here up wanting freeway estimates, which is one bugaboo Honda has not improved upon. 4 ranges of regenerative braking to toggle via on the paddle shifters or with the “B” gear setting within the shifter, however in contrast to an electrical automobile, there isn’t a one-pedal driving. The CR-V’s direct rivals additionally provide plug-in hybrid variants with even higher effectivity, but additionally higher mechanical complexity.
The CR-V Hybrid begins to separate itself from the spectacular competitors with its new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a pair of electrical motors. System output will increase to 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, an enchancment of three hp and 15 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing CR-V Hybrid. It is not fast, and pales to the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, nevertheless it’s clean and it is quiet. It depends extra on electrical energy from its small 1.4-kwh battery pack, and the motors soften begins and feed in torque underneath mild throttle. The switch between engine and motor energy is so quiet in Eco and Regular modes that it takes a educated ear to catch it, and the simulated gear shifts drop revs after “altering” gears like a traditional computerized.
It handles with the bounding and leaning frequent to any compact crossover, nevertheless it feels extra in tune with the highway, working with it as a substitute of in opposition to it. Honda stiffened the physique and stretched it by 2.7 inches and the wheelbase by 1.5 inches, and its wider and barely taller. It would not drive bigger, and as a substitute its entrance struts and multilink rear suspension does a greater job of damping out highway scars. Total, it is faster off the road, extra responsive, smoother, and quieter than its predecessor, and extra composed than its hybrid rivals. It might additionally tow as much as 1,000 kilos.
The CR-V Hybrid’s huge features over the competitors occur inside. The roomier inside can seat 5, with ample rear headroom and legroom measuring out to 41.0 inches. Rear seats recline for extra flexibility, and the Hybrid packaging would not sacrifice a lot in any respect. The rear doorways open extensive, to almost 90 levels, and the low cargo ground each simplify getting issues out and in. Following the Civic’s inside refinement, the 2023 CR-V Hybrid dons a pleasant mixture of darkened metallic mesh trim, rubberized plastic, and precise local weather management dials. It’s understated however calm, and enhances the delicate however spacious storage areas all through.
Honda dials in key tech and security options to broaden the CR-V Hybrid’s attraction. It comes commonplace with blind-spot screens, energetic lane management, computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management that works all the way down to a cease. It rides on 18-inch wheels and attire up with black trim components. Commonplace options embrace a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, keyless begin, a sunroof, heated entrance seats, and an influence driver’s seat, in addition to dual-zone local weather management.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid may not be probably the most thrilling automobile, however practicality can calm pocketbooks, and that may trigger pleasure. It is the full package deal for the crossover SUV phase.
Learn in regards to the phase winners of The Automobile Connection’s Finest Automobile To Purchase 2024 awards, and discover out which automobiles took residence prime honors from our sister websites, Motor Authority and Inexperienced Automobile Stories.
