Honda introduced the CR-V in 1997, offering shoppers a smaller, easy-to-drive, and efficient alternative to the existing Passport that could compete against the popular Toyota RAV4.
Shoppers in this segment typically prioritize cost and efficiency, so it made sense to develop a hybrid powertrain, which was added in 2020. As before, the Honda CR-V Hybrid followed the RAV4 Hybrid to market, trailing by a few years. The Hybrid variant delivered everything the standard CR-V did, without any sacrifice to passenger or cargo space. Naturally, these hybrid models cost a few thousand dollars more, but the long-term fuel savings were able to cross the break-even point within eight years, depending on mileage and driving habits.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Honda CR-V Hybrid Pros and Cons
- Honda CR-V Hybrid generations
- Second Generation (2023-present)
- First Generation (2020-2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honda CR-V Hybrid years are the best?
The current second-generation Honda CR-V is a better SUV than its predecessor, but not by a sizable margin. On paper, it has slightly better fuel economy estimates and a bit more power, but it behaves similarly on the road. The real gains can be found in its longer list of tech and safety features.
Which Honda CR-V Hybrid years are the worst?
The first-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid wasn't a bad choice by any standard; it was simply overshadowed by the latest version. With strong fuel economy figures and safety scores, the 2020-2022 models were an admirable choice among compact SUVs of the time, as well as the handful of hybrid rivals.
Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid a good deal?
Whether you're considering a new or a pre-owned Honda CR-V Hybrid, it will retain its value better than most other compact SUVs. As with any vehicle, the most significant depreciation occurs in the first two years after production, which is why we suggest budget-minded shoppers seek out used, low-mileage examples to maximize their dollars.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Spacious seating
- Comfortable ride quality
- Standard all-wheel drive
Cons:
- No discernible hybrid power advantage
- Engine sounds unrefined and stressed on uphill climbs
- Used examples are comparatively expensive
Honda CR-V Hybrid generations
Second Generation (2023-present)
The second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid debuted alongside the sixth-generation CR-V, which was redesigned for 2023. As with the rest of the lineup, the Hybrid's new look gave it a bit more presence, with a blockier silhouette. The grille was more upright compared to its predecessor's tapered nose, adding some brawn and utilitarian style, but this new CR-V was only marginally larger than before, growing 2.7 inches in length. From the side and the rear, the styling changes were more subtle, with similar body sculpting and an evolution of the Volvo-like taillights.
The interior received a more significant makeover, adopting some of the styling cues from the Civic that was redesigned a year prior. A horizontal mesh element in the dashboard hid the air vents for a cleaner look, while the infotainment touchscreen had been relocated above. The center stack transition between the dash and the center console took on a more traditional look, as opposed to the previous awkwardly angled section. This also allowed for improved interior storage, with a rubber phone tray and a larger center armrest bin.
The rear seats lost an inch of headroom with the redesign but gained 0.6 inches in legroom. Despite this, adult passengers could still comfortably fit back there. Behind those rear seatbacks, the CR-V Hybrid could hold up to 39.3 cubic feet of cargo—an increase of 18 percent over the last generation.
Initially, the second-generation CR-V Hybrid was only offered in the midrange Sport trim and the top Sport Touring model. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid system had a combined output of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, compared to the non-hybrid's turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produced 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard with the Sport Touring Hybrid and optional with the Sport and non-hybrid models. Despite the power advantage, the Hybrid's acceleration was comparable to the gas-only engine’s, likely due to the added 200 pounds or so of battery weight.
Around town, the CR-V Hybrid could run primarily on electric propulsion, fed directly to the wheels via the two electric motors (one for each axle). In the standard hybrid mode, the gas engine would serve as a generator to keep the battery charged but also contribute power to the front wheels. On the highway, the gas engine would supply most of the power, as internal combustion engines are much more efficient at higher speeds.
On the road, the CR-V Hybrid was composed and comfortable, satisfying most drivers. Compared to other compact SUVs, its performance was about average, but you had to give the accelerator pedal more pressure on uphill climbs, which resulted in a loud and persistent buzz from the engine. Even though the Hybrid had a direct-drive powertrain, it behaved a lot like one with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The 2023 Sport model was the most affordable Honda CR-V Hybrid trim and came with standard features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, gloss-black exterior trim, a one-touch power moonroof, cloth seat upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also came with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, comprising—as Honda calls them—a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation system, a blind spot information system with cross traffic monitoring, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, a lane keeping assist system, and traffic sign recognition.
The Sport Touring Hybrid featured a hands-free power liftgate, leather-trimmed seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless phone compatibility, a wireless phone charger, interior ambient lighting, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system. It also added blind-spot warnings with a rear cross-traffic monitor and parking proximity sensors.
In its follow-up 2024 model year, the CR-V Hybrid added the Sport-L Hybrid trim between the Sport and Sport Touring models. This middle ground took the supporting Sport trim and added the parking sensors, a power tailgate (not hands-free), leather seats, the larger infotainment touchscreen system, wireless phone integration and charging, and an eight-speaker audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality were made standard on all models in 2026, along with the larger nine-inch touchscreen.
The bigger news for 2026 was the addition of a new TrailSport Hybrid model, intended for off-road adventures. It started where the Sport Hybrid left off, adding all-wheel drive as standard, along with all-terrain tires, a heated steering wheel, additional off-road drive modes, and more rugged styling elements. A larger 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen also debuted with this and higher-trim levels. Underbody skid plates were not included, limiting the TrailSport CR-V to light off-road duties.
The EPA estimates the second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid will return 43 mpg city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg in combined driving with front-wheel drive (FWD). AWD lowers the estimate to 37 mpg combined, while the TrailSport's added features drop it to 35 mpg combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid CR-Vs are estimated between 29 and 30 mpg combined, which could cost owners up to $300 more in fuel per year. The CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy estimates are comparable to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s and the Kia Sportage Hybrid’s, though both are also offered as plug-in hybrids.
In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the CR-V Hybrid received five out of five stars in overall and side crash protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover evaluations. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2023 CR-V Hybrid its best score of "Good" in all crash tests, except for the updated frontal moderate overlap test, where it received the lowest "Poor" score. Despite this, it was named a Top Safety Pick+, which is the Institute's highest honor. It was adjusted to second-best Top Safety Pick status for 2024 and later.
In its inaugural year, the second-gen CR-V Hybrid was issued recalls for its fuel pump, steering gearbox, high voltage battery terminal, and for a possible loss of power caused by the transmission. The transmission and battery terminal issues were addressed that year, but the fuel pump and steering problems persisted. In 2025, a fuel hose leak recall was added. As always, ask about all the above during an inspection or a test drive.
Starting MSRPs for the new Honda CR-V Hybrid spanned $37,080 for the Sport Hybrid to $43,700 for the Sport Touring Hybrid at the time of writing (including destination fee). The relative lack of recalls likely helped to keep second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid values strong, as they generally experience less depreciation than other compact SUVs in its class. That said, the non-hybrid CR-Vs typically retained even more of their value over time.
First Generation (2020-2022)
Honda first dropped a hybrid powertrain into the CR-V for its 2020 model year, joining the rest of the fifth-generation lineup that was redesigned for 2017. Besides some unique badging, the Hybrid looked identical to the standard, gas-powered CR-V of the time. On the inside, only some hybrid-specific meters distinguished it from the regular CR-V.
Under the hood was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 212 horsepower. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, while the non-hybrid CR-V offered it as an option. The non-hybrid's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine was rated at 190 hp, but it still out-accelerated the Hybrid to 60 mph by a full second. That left the Hybrid on the slow side of the class, and it felt even weaker on steep uphill climbs.
In its introductory year, the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid was available in LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels, mirroring the regular CR-V. The LX's standard feature highlights included keyless entry/ignition, a five-inch infotainment touchscreen, cloth seat upholstery, adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist.
The EX added remote ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more audio speakers. Stepping up to the EX-L got shoppers a power liftgate, leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The top Touring trim added upgraded LED headlights, larger 19-inch wheels, roof rails, hands-free liftgate operation, a native navigation system with real-time traffic, a wireless charging pad, and premium audio. For the 2021 model year, the Hybrid's base LX trim was discontinued, though it was still available with the standard CR-V.
The EPA estimated the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid would return up to 38 mpg in combined driving (40/35 mpg city/highway). That compared very favorably against the non-hybrid CR-V's 29 mpg rating for the AWD model. In relation to other fuel-efficient hybrid compact SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape of the era were estimated at 40 mpg combined.
The 2020 CR-V Hybrid was awarded five out of five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests for frontal and side impact protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Hybrid its top score of "Good" in all crash tests except for the updated side impact evaluation, where it earned a second-best "Acceptable" score. In later years, a new frontal moderate overlap test resulted in a "Poor" rating, but it didn't affect the overall ranking. It was named a Top Safety Pick, the Institute's second-highest honor until this generation's retirement at the end of 2022.
Recalls issued for the 2020 model year included problems with the airbags, the fuel pump, a missing low-voltage fuse, and a power loss caused by the electric power converter. The converter issue was addressed before 2021 production, but a recall for a faulty seatbelt retractor was added. In its final year, the 2022 CR-V Hybrid had recalls for the missing fuse, seatbelt retractor, and a new driveshaft failure.
The second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid's relatively trouble-free nature helped it to retain much of its value. Like its gas-only sibling, the Hybrid depreciated at a slower rate than other SUVs in its class.
