I purchased a 2021 CRV Hybrid Touring model. I liked almost everything about it except the push button shifting and excessively loud Road noise into the cabin. Glad to see Honda went back to a traditional shift knob.
Alex..yours is the most complete and mechanically detailed review I've seen yet. I've now had my identical CRV Sport Touring model about 5 weeks, and have been averaging 37-38 mpg in mixed driving. After 7 straight high-end Accords (leased), this is the most refined Honda I've had so far. It should be noted the Sport Touring is quieter than the Sport Hybrid because of extra sound deadening and acoustically lined front and front side glass. I switched from my long term relationship with the Accord (last one was a 2020 Touring edition) because the extra 2.7" in length made the 2023 model too long for my garage. I know the new Accord Touring gets better mileage than the CRV and, I presume, it's just as quiet. The road noise improvement between my previous Touring Accord and the new ST CRV is quite noticeable...not Mercedes E class quality, but much quieter. Great torque off the line and in all my drives so far, so I don't miss the 0-60/5.4 sec in the previous Accord Touring w/the 2 L/10 spd (Car & Driver) the way I thought I might. Really surprised at how little body roll there is in this nice handling vehicle. However, I DO think Honda should have included the HUD and ventilated seats in the ST hybrid, at this price point. I think Honda needs to up their game in interior colors, but I guess Honda feels they're doing just fine as is. All in all, I've been finding my new CRV to be a delight to drive...seats are at perfect height for old, stiff knees--as opposed to the low seats in the Accord--and today the CRV enabled me to get my bike to a repair shop, as would any SUV I suppose, but I have had zero remorse in switching to the CRV from the excellent Accord. Thanks for the great review!
@@fusionmasterable 38 mpg in mixed driving warm weather; 32 mpg in midwinter weather. In cold weather, fillups show around 450 miles range...I've never allowed m tank to get near empty. Urban cycle in warm weather nets 42-44 mpg.
No spare tire is a deal breaker for me. When I take my long trips, I venture into areas where there's no signal or you just don't want to be stranded. Sorry, a spare tire is a must that all vehicles should have and not depend on getting someone to tow you or take you one.
Spare tires seem to be going away from anything smaller than an awd SUV/truck that can tow +3500lbs. Some vehicles are now moving the battery into the trunk area when they delete the spare tire.
Alex, thank you for pointing out the shortage of batteries and why hybrids still make sense. I’m all for the shift to BEVs but hauling around heavy batteries in very expensive cars with lots of range at the expense of more hybrid cars driving average commutes and thus saving more fuel being burned doesn’t do us as much good.I know it’s a paradox that won’t be resolved until battery supplies and prices come down and the transition to more BEVs can be affordable to more people.
We have the current/last generation 2021 AWD version of the CR-V hybrid and really like it. When shopping for the CR-V we drove both the turbo and hybrid, and as Alex says in his video, the hybrid performance off the line is much better than the turbo. We also found the hybrid to be much quieter than the turbo. I also have a 2022 Honda Insight that has essentially the same design as the 2021 CR-V hybrid. Compared to the 2021 CR-V Hybrid the Insight gets MUCH better gas mileage, but that's due to less weight and smaller engine and drive motor. So far, my Insight lifetime average is 50.3 MPG. We live in the snow belt, and the Honda AWD system works very well. When coupled with the good ground clearance the AWD doesn't have many issues with snow. On the other hand, the low-setting Insight doesn't get driven in the snow :)
I test drove an EX-L 1.5 liter turbo version and I love it. Very roomy and comfortable. I don't care for the heads up display and pMarkanoramic roof. Currently, I have a 2011 CR-V EX-L with 186K miles and zero issues. I ended up making a deposit of $2,500 for a 2023 CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring. My local Honda dealer, Faulkner Honda, Doylestown, PA, has NO "Market Adjustment" . Just the MSRP of $39,845. Finally, you did not mention the premium audio system in the Touring trim level. That's the reason I wanted the TRG trim level.
One thing about handling I have noticed as I get older is even softly sprung and smooth riding vehicles still can break the speed limit by a lot with room to spare. I just don't use the 9/10th driving handling anymore. Just not worth the risk of tickets or worse on public roads. I don't even like the ride of the low profile tires anymore. It just beats of the rims and struts. Likely wears out the ball joints and wheel bearings faster as well.
I drove this, the Sportage plug-in and hybrid, and Venza hybrid, and ended up buying the Honda hybrid/sport touring. I came to this after decades of driving German and Swedish cars, and as such in the end, the solidity of this vehicle won me over. It was by far the easiest to drive from a user-interface/intuitive perspective (yay buttons!!). And although reviewers focus on things like heads-up displays and panoramic windows/cooled seats - none of those mattered to me (I have had all of them and never used them). My advice to anyone thinking about this vs Rav vs Sportage is to try to drive each of these (if you can find models to drive, which I was lucky enough to do). That said, this was an excellent review, particularly regarding the AWD system, and made me even happier that this is the one I chose.
Yes, thank you. It's a bummer but for me worth the trade off; better mileage and more power. If I'm on a long journey I can throw one in the back. At least there is some space for tools.
@@boomer_4468 I doubt it comes with run flats, so unless you put them on yourself... The lack of spare is enough to make my wife and me think twice. Haven't ruled out the CRV by any means, but it is one more consideration for us.
Another great review. Thanks for mentioning its pros and cons compared to CRV's hybrid competition. Since I live in a snowy climate I really appreciate the info about CRVs superiority in the snow compared to the RAV4. (Just wish the CRV had a spare tire like the Toyota has.)
Alex lives in Cali and doesn't drive in snow. Living in Alberta, Canada driving a 2019 Rav4 hybrid I find the E-AWD plenty capable when I go soft-roading and drive in winter. Quality tires make far more difference then AWD especially in winter.
@@James-il3tq Thanks for the info since the AWD is an important feature needed and I hadn't heard that the hybrid models were less robust than the gas only models. (I'm sure if your RAV4 hybrid can survive up there, it is adequate for me in New England (USA))
@@pcthayer I think New England can get some good snow dumps but in Canada we have longer winters and colder temps that make roads more slick. Good tires where you are should do it! AWD is bonus, especially if you have heavy foot off the line or you ever get caught in super deep snow.
What's the difference between this video and a "full review"? I love Alex's videos, but one annoying thing is that some of them don't have scores for things like acceleration, with a note saying to "come back for the full review". Which never arrive.
CRV excels in cargo space & handling compared to Toyota & the hybrid system may have more longevity than the turbo models I suspect. Fuel economy is still very good for it size. Looking forward to test driving. PS : I wish ALL car review channels would incorporate a 'hill ascent test' into the performance analysis. In real world driving, that's where you can see an engine's real power with two adults' weight in the car. I drive a Toyota 3.0 liter V6 & hill ascent is never a struggle, even at higher speeds, plenty of power.
Wondered that, too. Almost everyone molds some foam into compartments. At the least slots for the jack and fix-a-flat can, and a first aid kit would be nice.
Living in Alberta, Canada driving a 2019 Rav4 hybrid I find the E-AWD plenty capable when I go soft-roading and drive in winter. Quality tires make much more difference then AWD (for winter and soft-roading). I drive Falken Wildpeak AT Trail in the summer and Toyo GSI 5 winter tires. Also added rear air bags for the $100 to stiffen suspension a bit for improved handling, carrying cargo and towing my tiny camper.
@@James-il3tq One could always have AWD and great tires. Of course if you want really good winter tires that means you have to swap them for summer tires every year.
I hear you. I like this car a lot though. Supposedly a lot of new cars especially hybrids are ditching the spare tire. I believe Teslas don't offer one at all!
Mine is on order. I’ve never used a spare tire in my life. I wouldn’t know how to change it anyway and I have AAA. But I get it for people that can change a tire. I just won’t and so this isn’t a deal breaker for me.
Excellent review again from Alex on Autos. Things I like on this CR-V: 1. New look is good, except for the Sport Touring chrome-ish lower front rectangles 2. Better fuel economy than last model 3. I think the trim levels are actually a smart idea, simplified the way to choose drivetrain 4. 2 speed clutch to enhance drivetrain flexibility and MPG 5. real AWD Negatives would be the want of optional 360 degree camera, middle seatbelt out of ceiling, and no cooled seats. I understand the cost saving idea however. I would take a CR-V Sport Touring over the Toyota RAV-4, despite higher fuel economy in the Toyota. Why? AWD and the CR-V looks better and is larger. A toss up though when it comes to this vs a Sportage hybrid.
@@randominternet5586 not sure about replacing with anything, a bonus though is that if you're driving you can't see them. Spray paint? Only kidding. 🙂☕
@@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579 I'm secretly hoping that you can order the normal CR-V trim as a repair part and bolt it on as a replacement - these share a TON of underbody with standard CR-V. Someone might like to trade up their standard for the sport trim? Not sure how doable that is though.
Ultimately I care more about handling, functionality, and comfort than I do about getting the best mgp. My Jetta gets about 23 mpg so this would be a great upgrade for me.
I leased a 2020 CR-V EX (gas engine) because it had the 4-way lumbar support. I can't believe the 2023 touring doesn't have it! That's a deal breaker for me. Also, the hybrid doesn't seem worth it. I get 30 MPG mixed now. I may be better off buying my 2020 CR-V. Interested to learn more about the Prologue though!
BEV sustainability is a pipe dream that won't be feasible for at least 20 years. The grid as we speak can barely handle our current needs and the EV market is barely over 1% of US car sales. Imagine that going to 5 or even 3 percent?
I stumbled on this video as I had watched past CRV clips. Have to say Alex, your video is the best CRV hybrid video out there! As you compared how it stacks against its rivals and the fuel economy comparison is enlightening. We consider hybrid cars to save on fuel.
I just bought a 2023 CRV sport hybrid and I love it. I had a Toyota RAV for 22 years and I drove the new ones, but nothing beats this new CRV for looks and handling. It drives and handles like a Mercedes, no joke.
Bought the sport hybrid. Not luxurious, but a nice car. Getting 46 mpg driving mostly city streets in Econ mode and B setting on the gear shift. Just enough buttons and switches to get things done. Kinda retro interior design.
The reason why there's no fog lights, and I've seen this done many times with other brands, they will introduce the fog lights the following year model as an "upgrade". Sad but true.
I have led fogs on my ‘20 Touring. Don’t find they change visibility dramatically. Not sure what all the fuss is about, I still bought a new sport touring. No it hasn’t been delivered yet.
@@Goldendad1 It's more of aesthetic than functionality. But it does help with the right lighting though. Also helps a bit in safety at night when one of the headlights goes out.
When you get a chance to fully review the CR-V hybrid, can you look at the lower Sport trim and compare the differences between the Sport Touring and the Sport?
Alex, We'll be looking forward to long term mpg results for this generously proportioned compact CUV. Sadly, the bizarre location of the hybrid battery in an all new design and the comparatively low tow rating for a family all-rounder continue to confound.🤨
I’m thinking this must be just an adaptation of the previous platform, otherwise no place for a hybrid battery is inexcusable. I guess a plug-in hybrid battery would be totally out of the question with this.
@Alex, Excellent comments about the greater net benefits to CO2 emissions if alot more HEV cars are sold than far fewer full electric vehicles for the same quantity of battery components. Why are national governments not talking about how to get the greatest environmental benefit for the least cost and least consumption of battery materials? Environmentalists seem to assume availability of raw materials for batteries is infinite and cost will simply come down through economies of scale.
Great video. For the Canadian market, we're only getting the Touring Edition with AWD and 19 inch tires. Your review was great and really opened my eyes to what my next vehicle purchase might be. Thanks!
Hi Alex, thanks for this excellent introduction. In your review of the previous-generation CR-V, you mentioned that on a 60-65 mph sustained climb, the powertrain felt "maxxed out" with little more to give (and dismal fuel economy as a result.) I'm curious as to whether the 2023 powertrain, with its additional ratio, addresses this limitation. I'm also wondering whether the "shift" you mentioned when accelerating hard at lower speeds is palpable, or causes a delay in power delivery. (The lack of shifting is actually one of the things that endeared me to Honda's hybrid system.) Really looking forward to your complete test with numeric results, or even another head-to-head comparison with the arch-rival RAV4!
Once the battery depletes you're only using the engine's 145 horsepower indirectly routed to the wheels via the electric motor. It's going to be roaring.
I live in ND. I had a RAV-4. It was the worst AWD winter/snow vehicle I have ever owned. Gas milage doesn't mean much when you are "stuck in the snow". Much worse, was most car reviewers never mentioned that. Thanks for telling the truth.
It is because of the "slip and then grip" awd systems. You might have to upgrade to the Passport or Pilot with the torque vectoring awd system that response faster and can send power to just one wheel if needed.
David, We have the Rav 4 Prime which is 4,300 lbs Last winter in West Yellowstone I did just fine on pavement in 12 inches of fresh snow with no problem.
Honda are really making it hard for themselves in a market like Australia by omitting any spare tyre. They did this in the current Civic and now the CRV Hybrid. Australians can often cover big distances by car in remote areas and having no spare will be a deal breaker for many. It is for me.
It's just so funny how a couple decades ago they couldn't sell a wagon version of their sedans and hatchbacks to save their life, and now these vehicles are their bread and butter.
I have an expiring lease on the previous CR-V Hybrid and am on the waiting list for a Sport. Got a call from the dealer yesterday saying they'd have some of these coming in soon. Looking forward to driving it.
It looks way better and inline with the current Honda line up, which looks sharp. Great video. Glad it has the mechanical awd as its can get that power from both systems to the ground.
I've never understood why some people prioritize mechanical AWD. I live in Alberta, Canada and do tonnes of soft roading and winter driving in my 2019 Rav4 hybrid. Never had a problem and have been impressed how capable it is. Good tires make far more difference especially in winter. Running Falken Wildpeak AT Trails in the summer and Toyo GSI 5 in the winter. Been very impressed with both for traction in poor conditions. Having said that if you want a quality AWD system Honda's i-VTM4 on the Ridgeline and Acrura RDX are outstanding with torque vectoring and can send 70% to the rear end!
@@James-il3tq My terrain has the WildPeaks as well and with the AWD I have never had issues in any condition. Which is the point as I'm always on the go and I don't let any condition slow me down.
The top trim at $38k is pretty much exactly the same as the Tucson Hybrid, so that's good. Granted you'll get a lot more content on the Hyundai, but simpler and cleaner styling / ergonomics on the Honda (and just being a Honda) are an advantage. So, yeah, credit to Honda for keeping the price equal to or below the competition. I'm surprised Nissan isn't offering a Rogue hybrid.
Nice design language from Honda, but quite disappointed that they ditched the button gear selector and rear led blinkers from the previous generation... They could've also offered ventilated seats and 360° cameras, but I bet in Europe those features will be available, since Honda wants to position itself as a more exclusive brand out here. Alex, the last gen hybrid had the same power ratings: 184hp for the electric motor and 145hp for the combustion engine, but total power output was rated at 184hp. That means the 20 extra hp are only given through software changes? Nice review but all in all there is no based reason for moving from a 5th gen hybrid to this newer generation.
Honda sells the Acura RDX for those who want more features ... I agree completely these should be available on the CRV, but that is probably their marketing logic
Push button shifter is terrible. I have it in my passport. You always have to look to see what button you're pushing. What a dumb idea. Anybody that likes it. Go play your PlayStation. There's nothing wrong with moving a shift lever one or two clicks to know what great your in without looking
Hey Alex, nice review. I notice that you don't discuss much the auto transmission characteristics in your reviews lately. Would love a little more coverage on what the drive train is like.
I read this was most expensive CRV released while excluding many feature other manufatures offer like ventilated seats, panoramic roof etc? 31.5k-38.5k, Sportage (25.9k-37.6k) X-Pro Prestige fully loaded with the luxury amenities you mention @37.6k. It includes heated *and* ventilated seats, panoramic roof with a liner that closes, roof rails, power tailgate, LED lighting everywhere, 12.3in duel panoramic displays, Harmon Kardon 8 speaker sound, active AWD with locking diff etc The top Hybrid option is 36.2k, plug-in hybrid (33 miles of EV range) at 38.4k or 42.9k with above mentioned amenities. Kia does have a luxury brand IMO, Genesis is the Hyundai motor groups luxury line for both brands. Manufacturers tend to make one luxury brand per group not one per line they produce. Instead they offer highend feature on their volume vehicles as well as luxury line. They don't require you purchase a Genesis to get ventilated seating etc.
Alex what is the life of battery on touring model and what will be the replacement cost. I am just wondering after 5 -6 years when i will go to market to sell it, it will be nearing its battery life(assuming 5-6 yrs as standard battery life), will it not sell for lower price compared to EXL as additional battery replacement cost?
Took me 9mths to get my Sport AWD Hybrid. This car is by far the best CRV ever made. The milage is a secondary concern. The CRV feel as a much more substantial vehicle than any other in the market. Think af it as an RDX with utilitarian rather than luxury appointments, and you get the gist of the driving experience. I paid to replace the crappy OEM tires with Michelin Crossclimate2. Since I require a snow worthy 4 season tire. I don't know how much of a difference that makes but thi CRV is far quiter than any CRV Ive ever driven, handles better and has a perfect ride for a car in this segment
one thing to keep in mind...the batteries... I live in the NE and as temps drop, so does the mileage....I the summer my '21 CRV Hybrid consistently gets 38-40 town-ish.... fall the mog drops and here we are in Winter... my lowest has been 27...another thing... it runs the engine to make heat...on and off...and that drops the mpg even more... I use the heated seats and steering wheel a lot because it doesn't make heat very quickly so I wait until the engine gets pulled in on a slope or mild hill
Always liking your reviews. Thank you. This Touring Hybrid has 19" rims, but do they have the Honda sound dampening feature (like the 19" rims on Acura's RL)? This Touring Hybrid, as well as a Sport Hybrid has no spare tire. Does Honda offer an accessory, such as a swing out hitch bracket, a mount for behind the rear seat, or a roof rack mount?
A buddy of mine is getting a sport touring hybrid sometime next month (build + ship dates being what they are). Had to go down a rabbit hole of reviews as excitement mounts for him. This seems like a really good purchase!
The no spare is a concern but not a deal breaker. However, the lack of paddle shifters in all but the top hybrid touring trim is a real bummer for me and causes me to hedge on a decision for a vehicle I otherwise totally love.
all the paddle shifters do on the hybrid is allow you to use regen braking.... the trans is really not a trans...it houses a big generator and the electric motor with a clutch pack for direct engine coupling after 61 mph
If I understood the video correctly the "B" mode improves regenerative braking? Yeah, the paddles are definitely simpler and easier and not have to think about shifting a big stick
The Escape hybrid has a mechanical AWD, 38-40mpg, spare tire available, panoramic sunroof & the center seat belt is seat mounted! I believe it's the goldilocks of hybrid compact suv's... But I do prefer the new exterior look of the CRV & the significantly larger cargo area... just not sure if that is enough to sway me to trade mine in on one! Ironically, a plug-in would probably make me switch!
Is there a minimum speed for the low speed clutch to engage? I know you mentioned 45mph as the transition point for low clutch to high clutch. The older generation was around 44mph I believe, where below you couldn’t engage the clutch. Which made the ride super comfortable as no clutch was engaging-disengage.
Kind of disappointing that Honda’s hybrid system now has the complexity of multiple speeds, plus the largest (by far) electric motors of its competitors, and a lower output ICE relative to its competitors and still doesn’t lead in fuel economy. Hopefully the performance numbers and future reviews show it to be better than this first impression.
Hello ALEX, how did you open the back to show us the Hybrid battery... looks like a great place to STASH stuff... are there just a few bolts but it there a special nut?
I own a 2020 CRV touring 1.5 turno and a 2020 escape 2.0 turbo titanium. I prefer to drive the Ford because the Honda is so slow but the interior of the Honda is much better. I think Honda has missed an opportunity here to improve the rest of the product (a larger vehicle is not better for me) but I don’t see why adding a faster hybrid means dumbing down things like the electronics and the panoramic sunroof and some of the other options you mentioned all of which the Ford has. They had a chance to upgrade their electronics and didn’t and to me looking at that interior it looks far less luxurious than the outgoing model. The exterior is better, less chunky, but the highest end mode to me looks downmarket. The CRV is very reliable and hopefully that hasn’t changed.
They also downgraded from full LED rear lights to incandescent turn signals. Why?!? I can't believe it could be a cost-cutting issue, they've had full LEDs on even the base model for years now, surely the cost has been amortized. I think de-contenting is always a bad idea, but they will still sell a ton of these.
Great review and love then new angular VW/Mazda styling, but not the longer taller hood line. I'm still enjoying my current 2017 turbo CRV but wished I could've gotten the hybrid. True mechanical awd isn't as important to me as mpgs, but the handling and driving feel of the RAV sounds like a bummer.
I have one on order. Looks like I made a good choice. 3rd CRV in our household. Every kid has gotten one! BTW I rented a RAV4 last year, very disappointing, loud, ponderous handling, underpowered and very chintzy feel overall.
I found the same on test drives on Rav4 gas models. Fortunately when I test drove the hybrid XSE model it was far quieter and quicker with a tad stiffer suspension. It's definitely no corner king but I got dealership to give me the limited 19" 235 wheels and I got rear airbags for $100 to stiffen the back end a bit for cargo, towing and sportier handling. I've been quite happy!
I am between the Tucson and CR-V Hybrid. But, after hearing this video. I can honestly say the Tucson hybrid is the better choice for me. And I've had over 10 Honda cars.
According to your comments, Honda provided a more rational hybrid solution compare to other manufacturers. On road performance is key to everybody driver than some fancy options or great fuel savings but car doesn’t perform well. Just wondering with the space where the battery is, if a upgrade on battery size down the road and any advantage doing so?
Honda just being Honda. They are so practical and logical in the approach. It's so wonderful and appreciated!! The other's like Hyundai and Kia go wild with options and price themselves right out of the competition. Honda prefers sales. Again, just Honda being Honda. LOVE it!! Nice video and format, as always. Merci
CRV Hybrid in Canada is around 49k before any fees and taxes which is the most expensive hybrid vehicle in its segment while still missing many features other competitors offer at lower or similar prices. Honda isn't so practical and they are just being cheap omitting usable features to lower their cost but still selling at higher prices.
I've found the CRV Sport Touring is no cheaper than a Tucson or RAV4. In fact, when you start adding on things that come standard on other SUVs (self-dimming rear-view mirror with Homelink for one) it pushes the price higher for the CRV. It also bugs me that you can't get ventilated seats or a panoramic sunroof. And the rear seats recline, but very awkwardly if you ask me. The Tucson has a convenient lever on the lower side of the seat. Tucson also has levers in the back cargo area to flip the back seats down. The Honda makes you reach all the way across or walk-around. Just a lot irritating deficiencies in the CRV Sport Touring IMHO.
@@lindapabst3421 But the tucson come with turbo+engine+hybrid rather than Honda or toyota, Honda and Toyota wise up and choose engine + hybrid only for durability and reliability. Sure Tucson drive sportier, but that comes with consequences of the turbo design, just say that turbo = more maintenance interval than regular engine !
@@slothypunk it means nothing. honda cr-v has been using a 1.5L turbo otherwise for 7 years. And they use a complex CVT whereas Hyundai / Kia use a traditional 6 speed.
I didn't get the purpose of that half-empty spare tire place?! Honda engineers could be better on that, either figure out how to fill that place completely with battery or move battery away to give space for the spare tire.
For me, the roof mounted seat belt is a deal breaker. The reason I bought my hatch was for the openness of the cargo area. The CRV really hinders that ability, IMO. And if Honda could figure it out for the 10th Gen Civic Hatch, why can't they do it for the CRV - their best-seller??
I have this model year (‘23) hybrid Sport FWD model. My fuel economy combined is 37-38 mpg with mostly city driving in Eco mode. The back is very spacious but that middle seatbelt in the back is annoying as Alex points out. I wish it had a different type of windshield wipers. Rather than the fluid coming from below in the center, it apparently comes from the wiper arms themselves which I don’t think is good for evenly dispersing the fluid. The media interface for my Sport hybrid model is also different. You don’t see the color widgets - you get all black and white and it looks all together very different and not as specific. I test drove a Rav 4 hybrid and I thought this handled better and I felt a little more connected to the road.
I love this channel and always come watch it . I bought a rav 4 hybrid brand new, and all that I wish for it , is more space in the back like the crv and it will be perfect ! I am looking forward for the comparison rav 4 hybrid vs crv hybrid
If Honda was "all-in" on hybrids, the new North American HR-V would have - or offer - a hybrid system, along with the latest Civic. So far, nada, as of April, '23.
I'm more than likely going to buy one of these soon due to the waits in the Rav4 hybrid and Prime... I do wish Honda used a larger battery. There's plenty of room where they left out the spare for one! Give it a bit more oomph from the battery and get a little better fuel economy.
Just bought my Honda CRV- Hybrid Sport (non touring) in Gray Pearl. Its an amazing car, wow! Keep in mind, while this car my not have the highest fuel economy compared to most hybrids it is significantly higher than regular gas cars!
Hey Alex are the 'fake shifts' actually the shifting between serial hybrid, and low/high speed lockups? or is it just a song and dance of RPM changing via software
I was looking between vehicles like the Rav 4 hybrid, CRV hybrid, Carolla Cross Hybrid, Forester. Maybe a Outlander PHEV, but that is significantly more, but at least in stock. Not sure inventory on these CRV's. But I wanted something that could tow a minimum of 1500lbs. Towing a motorcycle trailer. I'd go for a sport because all things you mentioned like heated options, fancy stereo, don't mean much to me. Its 120 degrees here in the summer, and leather/fake leather is awful in that heat. I like to go camping or hiking which is usually off the beaten path and on offroads/softroads. Sometimes requires stream crossing about 1 foot deep. Not sure this CRV hybrid would do. A friend of mine has their RAV 4 that hasn't ever had any issues and another with a Forester which pretty much lives in that element. My old RD1 CRV can transverse it all but its suspension needs to be done but before I do I thought I look around for something new.
I’m kinda surprised that Honda has dumped both the Insight hybrid (I get average 48-50 mpg driving a mix of rural/town) that was rated 50 Hwy/ 55 city and the Clarity plug-in hybrid rated just a few mpg less with up to 50 miles electric only. None of their 2023 models get the mileage of those models. One of the new models coming out is a turbo charged “muscle car” that is tuned for white knuckle performance rather than fuel conservation. Seems a step back.
Acura did the same when they dumped their 14-20 RLX Sport Hybrid (28-29 city mpgs) and 17-20 MDX Sport hybrid (26-27 city mpgs). Acura put the same previous gen 3.5L 290hp engine in a larger and heavier +22 MDX and it has less performance and mpgs. Honda/Acura are making some strange decisions and are getting left behind in the BEV/PHEV/Hybrid race.
I like the front end much more than the old model. I've never been a fan of the devil horns or Thor's hammers rear lights - too similar to Volvos. A PHEV would be a hit - despite Alex's very logical analysis on overall benefit.
Does it have full-time AWD, or it's so-called real-time AWD in which rear wheels are engaged only when there is slippage in the front wheels? I believe, full-time AWD would require some kind of trans-axle differential (either mechanical or viscous type) which I doubt it has.
honda uses the mechanical components, full driveline...the toyata uses electric motors for the awd... more cumbersome...I think the honda system works better...esp now that they have a snow mode
Why can't Honda get it together when it comes to the road noise issue in the CR-V? They are charging big prices for these vehicles but expect the buyer to put up with road noise that is worse than most economy cars.
I was holding out on the Rav4 hybrid to see this CRV hybrid. But no spare tire means no deal for me. It's one of those things that it's better to have it and not use it than to need it and not have it, especially when the help is hours away. It only takes 10 to 15minutes to change a tire vs waiting hours for help to arrive. No biggie if you are retired or have all kinds of time in your life or soccer moms only running around in city.