Used Honda CR-V Hybrid for Sale near Santa Barbara, CA

About the Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V is pretty self-explanatory, but the Hybrid drivetrain bears additional scrutiny. The Honda CR-V Hybrid debuted in the fifth generation of this insanely popular crossover SUV for the 2020 model year. The CR-V Hybrid is also available in the current sixth generation, which debuted for the 2023 model year.

What are the advantages of the Honda CR-V Hybrid?

• Excellent fuel economy
• Smooth ride
• Quicker than the gas engine

What is the best Honda CR-V Hybrid model year?

The the fifth- and sixth-generation Honda CR-V Hybrids come well equipped with the full complement of Honda Sensing advanced collision avoidance technology, though people who buy cars solely for safety will want to opt for the very latest version.

What are the disadvantages of the Honda CR-V Hybrid?

The biggest disadvantage of the CR-V Hybrid is its price. In its sixth generation the Honda CR-V is available in three hybrid trim levels: Sport Hybrid, Sport-L hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. The least expensive Sport Hybrid is $33,700. The Sport Touring Hybrid barely misses the $40k mark at $39,850, but you go over that with the $1,325 destination charge. No matter how you slice it, you need a lot of retained value and pretty expensive gas to ever make up for the $4,200 you’ll spend for the hybrid drivetrain. The EPA estimates that you save $2,250 over five years buying the hybrid vs. the 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine, so you’re looking at 10 years before you really start saving money.

Comparison: Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid better than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid get nearly the same fuel economy. The base Hyundai Tucson Blue is about $1,100 cheaper than the CR-V Sport Hybrid, and at the top end, the Tucson Limited is about $400 cheaper. So, pricing is competitive, and so is fuel economy. What the Hyundai has going for it is a longer warranty, with a maximum of ten years and 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Honda only offers five years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain components.

Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid a reliable car?

As of this writing, the Honda CR-V Hybrid has been the subject of five recalls, four of which were related either to the battery or the powertrain. One was related to a seatbelt retractor and applied to a number of Honda vehicles. The biggest complaint on the CR-V Hybrid appears to be how noisy the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is. AVAS provides an audible alert to pedestrians that an inherently quiet vehicle like a hybrid operating in EV mode is approaching. Owners of many Honda hybrids and electric vehicles have made similar complaints.

Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid worth the cost?

The used market is full of Honda CR-V Hybrids with low miles. Depending on mileage, condition and trim level, you can expect to pay around $33,000 for a 2022 with 25,000 miles, which shows how much these vehicles are capable of retaining their value, despite the slightly painful initial purchase price.