Road test | Honda CR-V hybrid: an expensive quest for frugality

While its first fully electric vehicle is still awaited, Honda has decided to opt for a transition based on a hybrid offensive. This reorientation – whose central core includes the Accord, Civic and CR-V – ultimately aims to ensure 50% of the manufacturer’s sales. The hybrid CR-V freshly landed in dealerships is undoubtedly the one with the highest potential for popularity. But this sobriety at the pump has a price.

Design

The marketing of this first hybrid CR-V in Canada coincides with the launch of a new and sixth generation of the compact SUV. Like the Pilot, it looks more utilitarian and beefier than before. The curved design of the bonnet of the previous generation thus gives way to a front which is adorned with more incisive front optics and forming a whole with a hexagonal grille. The side portion also exhibits different proportions due to the repositioning of the front pillars, set back by 119 mm, and the rather long bonnet. This profile is also refined, with a belt line delimited by a discontinuous line from the front to the rear. Behind, the “Volvoesque” lights that hug the pillars remain, but with various LED hooks that make the look more refined. Honda also succumbed to the presence of fake exhaust pipes. A uselessness, it goes without saying.

On board

The compact SUV adopts many of the aesthetic elements introduced by the new Civic, including this horizontal honeycomb stripe. It is in short much more mature than before, both in the choice of materials and in their arrangement, without overbidding of glossy plastics. The ergonomics are extremely efficient and the physical controls give a quality feeling when you activate them. In this aspect, the CR-V is the example to follow in a segment that is increasingly attracted to haptic keys. Moreover, the interior volume ranks at the top of the pack, with rear seats as generous as those at the front due to the extended wheelbase. The presence of a tall driver has little impact on legroom. The cargo space, very spacious at 1036 L, is very accessible, but we regretfully lose the handles used to fold down the rear seatbacks, which were present on the previous vintage.

Under the hood

It falls to a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder backed by a 181-hp electric motor to move the compact SUV. A second electric motor is used to recharge the battery. It is therefore a conventional parallel hybrid system producing a maximum of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Certainly, no one will be overwhelmed by the rather reserved nature of this mechanism whose mandate is essentially to be as unobtrusive as possible. However, we like its progressive power curve and the effective control of its speed, despite the fact that the torque transfer is ensured by a direct drive. It is undoubtedly the best hybrid group among compact SUVs in terms of its overall refinement. Where it shines a little less is in terms of consumption. It was around 7 L/100 km during the test, climbing quite markedly at highway speeds. It’s less brilliant than that of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.

Behind the wheel

Like all of its hybrid competitors, the CR-V is only offered with all-wheel drive, which makes it more comfortable when the weather is less clement. This system has been tweaked and can now send up to 50% of the available torque rearward. Add to that wider tracks, a 15% stiffer platform and revised suspension elements. Thanks to a rather low driving position and excellent visibility, there is a desire for dynamism in this CR-V even before hitting the road. The steering supports this assumption, arguably the best in the arena, both for its precision and its feel. The SUV also presents a nice shape when slightly abrupt. Its behavior is predictable and safe. However, we like much less the calibration of its springs, giving rise to a jump that is much too nervous on uneven surfaces.

Embedded technologies

Like the work, the multimedia system assigned to this CR-V is nothing extravagant. It is operated by means of a 9-inch touchscreen in this hybrid variant. It is placed on the top of the dashboard to avoid looking down too much. Its definition is correct, nothing more. It offers a rather well-thought-out interface available on a configurable home screen made up of various readable tiles. A volume wheel remains, as do two physical buttons for better navigation. Moreover, note the presence of Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto as well as induction charging for the most expensive liveries. The Bose chain integrated as standard in this hybrid CR-V – the only one that can be equipped with it – offers an acceptable rendering without really standing out.

The verdict

Despite its undeniable overall qualities, this hybrid CR-V is also a striking example of Honda’s risky “skimming” pricing strategy. At nearly $51,000, the compact SUV is significantly more expensive than its tougher rival, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which has better fuel efficiency. Admittedly, it is more modern than the latter and has a larger and more user-friendly interior, but this CR-V remains however short of arguments to justify such a price difference on the other aspects of its offer. It does not present a revolutionary character that one would associate with such a price increase, which places it at the doorstep of luxury brands. Honda would clearly benefit from offering this engine to a greater number of liveries. Because in the meantime it’s just too expensive.