For the primary time, Honda has lastly supplied a hybrid model of the CR-V starting with the present technology model–years after its chief rival, the RAV4, was given the electrified treatment by Toyota. This is kind of an odd transfer contemplating that Honda has been promoting hybrids for fairly some time now, albeit none which have made as huge of an affect as Toyota’s electrified mannequin vary did.

Better late than by no means, proper? And certainly, Honda made the precise transfer by lastly providing the CR-V Hybrid within the United States. That’s as a result of in 2023, the brand new CR-V Hybrid, along with the Accord Hybrid, accounted for an enormous chunk of Honda’s gross sales; 293,640 total copies, to be specific. This means one in 4 Hondas bought within the nation was electrified. With that in thoughts, what has Honda achieved proper with the CR-V hybrid and has led this crossover SUV to achieve success?

In order to provide the newest and correct info potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Honda and Toyota.

A Hybrid Drivetrain Tuned For Driving Pleasure

The Honda CR-V Hybrid could seem very similar to the RAV4 Hybrid on paper, because of the two methods having a four-cylinder gasoline engine, electrical motors, and even an e-CVT for the transmission. However, that is the place the similarities finish, as a result of the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS) and Honda’s hybrid system (marketed as e:HEV abroad) function and ship their energy barely otherwise, and it will more than likely have an effect on your buy preferences between the 2 class-leading electrified crossover SUVs.

An Engine Note That’s Acoustically Good

I’ve had the privilege to have pushed each the RAV4 Hybrid and extra not too long ago, the CR-V Hybrid extensively as press vehicles, so no less than you understand the place I’m coming from with my judgment. Compared to THS, Honda’s hybrid system makes use of a barely smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder versus Toyota’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and the one within the Toyota sounds coarse beneath arduous acceleration. The Honda VTEC motor, nevertheless, is a Ok-series engine, and it sounds excellent. In Sport mode (no less than on this Philippine-spec model I’m driving) pipes in artificial engine noise, however outdoors that mode, you will be stunned at how good the engine sounds, as is.

Power Delivery That’s Enthusiastic

Remember that each methods use an e-CVT, however they’re solely comparable in precept, however not in operation. That’s as a result of the Honda system does its best to mimic a traditional automatic with stepped ratios. And but, you will be stunned that it’s not solely simulated. That’s as a result of the Honda system has two completely different clutches–one for top speeds and the opposite for low speeds. As a outcome, there’s an precise shift level someplace within the energy band.

However, consequently, the Honda system feels a bit much less responsive when coming from a cease in comparison with the THS system’s e-CVT, which makes use of a set of planetary gears with no clutch. Don’t get me flawed, the CR-V Hybrid does get a lift from the electrical motor, however the Toyota system simply feels a bit extra responsive when coming from a cease. This, nevertheless, can be why the THS system drones the cabin with engine noise versus the Honda having simulated gear adjustments.

Where Honda’s Hybrid System Stands Out

Now, due to the Honda hybrid system’s two sets of clutches (not associated to a dual-clutch automated, thoughts you), it has one potential that the THS drivetrain cannot do. This one, specifically, will theoretically assist the CR-V Hybrid obtain higher effectivity at low speeds and likewise, objectively talking, a smoother drive.

The Engine Can Act As A Generator

Both the THS and Honda’s hybrid methods are power-split or series-parallel hybrids. This implies that each methods permit the operation of simply the electrical motor or each the engine and the electrical motor. However, due to Honda’s clutch-based system versus Toyota’s planetary gear answer, the Honda system has one functionality that’s merely not potential within the Toyota version–acting as a generator.

But wait a minute, would not the THS system additionally cost the battery when driving the wheels? Why sure, sure it does, however the Toyota system cannot run the engine to simply cost the battery, whereas solely the electrical motor powers the wheels whereas it is being charged. Basically, the Honda hybrid system can act as if it was a range extender EV, and at metropolis speeds, this makes it eat much less gasoline than THS, while additionally being smoother because of the CR-V being 100-percent electrical pushed.

But It’s Not Perfect

At this level, it seems like I’m giving all of my reward in the direction of the Honda system versus the Toyota one. Well, that is why this phase exists, and I’ve found a couple of as I at present have the CR-V Hybrid with me. The first issues the packaging of the hybrid system, by which Toyota does a greater job in comparison with Honda.

See, the battery must, after all, go someplace, and in the RAV4 Hybrid’s case, that is positioned someplace between the rear seats and the cargo space. The CR-V Hybrid, alternatively, is just uncovered and simply seen beneath the trunk ground, with none semblance of packaging cleanliness. It was merely positioned there with the panels of the CR-V’s physique surrounding it left unpainted.

The final one is restricted to the all-wheel drive (AWD) fashions of each crossover SUVs, and on this case, Toyota takes the lead. Toyota’s THS system has an optional AWD system referred to as E-Four, and this can be a fully digital answer. Electric motors energy the rear wheels when wanted, which suggests there is not any want for a sophisticated driveshaft and a differential for the rear axle. Honda’s system, oddly sufficient, is mechanical, much like the non-hybrid mannequin. This, I believe, is a missed alternative since which means the RAV4’s non-obligatory E-Four system would not’ add issues to the automotive’s long-term possession.

Yet, The CR-V Hybrid Is Still Well-Engineered

Overall, nevertheless, you would not go flawed with the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The car itself, in addition to the hybrid system, is so effectively engineered that you do not actually have to consider it while you’re residing with the CR-V Hybrid on a day-to-day foundation. It additionally has its strengths and weaknesses in comparison with the Toyota system, however the place it stands out is how Honda has targeted on one facet which is a minor disadvantage of the Toyota system.

The CR-V Hybrid Leans More To The Enthusiast

Okay, so the driving expertise between the CR-V Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid is similar in that, they’re well-engineered, however hardly what you’d name emotional. I nonetheless assume that the Mazda CX-5 tugs the heartstrings higher than these two crossovers. However, if solely the RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid are your decisions, sure elements such because the Honda hybrid drivetrain’s higher engine sound and simulated shift factors make it the sportier alternative. The RAV4 combats this with higher low-speed responsiveness, however the droning nature of its hybrid system will not be to the fanatic’s style.

Also catering barely in the direction of the fans is the CR-V Hybrid driving dynamics. Compared to the RAV4 Hybrid, the CR-V Hybrid has a faster steering ratio that offers it a notion of agility, whereas the suspension tuning and physique management are each top-notch. Honda at all times presents an incredible stability between dealing with and trip consolation, and that is evident right here within the CR-V Hybrid.

In addition, electrified vehicles are inclined to have a bizarre brake chunk within the preliminary 10 p.c of your pedal’s journey attributable to regenerative braking. If you are new to driving Toyota hybrids, you will notice that it takes a couple of miles of driving to regulate to the automotive’s braking habits. Not so within the Honda system. Right off the bat, Honda has tuned the braking system to really feel pure the primary time you start driving the CR-V Hybrid.

How It Stacks Up (On Paper) Against The RAV4 Hybrid

Since I’ve been evaluating the 2 electrified crossovers for this text, this can be a good time to pitch these two automobiles side-by-side when it comes to the numbers.

Honda CR-V Hybrid vs. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Specs

(Specs sourced from Honda and Toyota)

In phrases of system energy, the RAV4 Hybrid has a slight advantage, whereas when it comes to effectivity, the front-wheel drive (FWD) model of the CR-V is ever-so-slightly higher. However, as talked about some time in the past, the CR-V Hybrid’s AWD system is a extra rudimentary mechanical setup that is linked mechanically to the engine up entrance, versus the RAV4 Hybrid’s non-obligatory E-Four AWD system that is purely an digital setup.

As a outcome, there is not any gasoline financial system penalty when choosing 4WD within the RAV4 Hybrid, whereas the CR-V Hybrid with AWD takes a two-MPG penalty from its mixed gasoline financial system score. Finally, there’s additionally the matter of price, by which the RAV4 Hybrid has a decrease base worth (albeit with fewer options) than the CR-V Hybrid.