Honda News: Honda Gives the CR-V a Buff and a Shine.... and a Hybrid

[Drew Dowdell]

Honda debuted the 2020 Honda CR-V today with a lightly refreshed exterior, but with a big announcement under the hood.  This is the first time Honda  will be offering the CR-V with a Hybrid Powertrain.  There are some other powertrain changes as well.

Starting with the Hybrid, the system is a two motor hybrid that combines electric power with gasoline propulsion from a 2.0 liter DOHC engine. This engine boasts a thermal efficiency over 40 percent, the highest of any mass-produced Honda engine.  Peak total system horsepower for the Hybrid is now 212, up from 190 on the standard gasoline model. This is the same powertrain found in the Accord Hybrid. It is also the first time Honda has offered AWD on a hybrid vehicle. In times of low traction, a clutch can engage an electric motor to the rear wheels to help with grip.  Hybrid models are equipped with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System, a small speaker on the front of the car that makes a noise for passers by while the vehicle is traveling in electric only mode.

Previously, base model CR-V LXes got a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Now for 2020, all non-hybrid CR-Vs will come with the 190 hp 1.5-liter turbo unit. No matter which mode of power you choose, power flows to the wheels through a CVT. 

On the safety front, the CR-V now comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of sweet safety technologies that include Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist. Additionally, as an option, are blind spot information, rear cross traffic monitor, and auto high beam headlights. 

EPA figures will be released closer to launch, but Honda is forecasting a 50% increase in fuel economy over the non-hybrid models. Non-hybrid production begins this fall and hybrid production starts in early 2020. 

 

View full article

[Drew Dowdell]

They didn't do much to the outside, but the hybrid sounds compelling. 

[Matt 967]

I agree!  I see some new features on the Hybrid!  Heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, wireless charging, parking sensors and LED fog lights!  This could be my next new car!  Hybrid will be great for all of my work driving too ?

Edited September 18, 2019 by Matt 967

[Drew Dowdell]

9 minutes ago, Matt 967 said:

I agree!  I see some new features on the Hybrid!  Heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, wireless charging, parking sensors and LED fog lights!  This could be my next new car!  Hybrid will be great for all of my work driving too ?

An estimated 40mpg if the 50% increase in fuel economy figure holds up.  That would be great for you.

[G. David Felt]

Over all nice but plain CUV, fits the Honda customer profile and should serve them well. The wood trim looks real and not that plastic fake look but that could just be the pictures.

Two things: 

1. This is going to make it harder for GM to do their package overprice as so much is now included in the base units.
2. GM and FCA need to get their act together to have a Hybrid CUV or EV CUV ASAP as Ford has Hybrids that folks like and now Honda.

This will help push more towards the Hybrid / EV world as these options come out hopefully reasonably priced.

[ccap41]

2 minutes ago, dfelt said:

GM and FCA need to get their act together to have a Hybrid CUV or EV CUV ASAP as Ford has Hybrids that folks like and now Honda.

Don't forget about the other best seller that has a hybrid, RAV4. It starts less than 28k, too.  

[frogger]

The RAV4 hybrid is selling at 100K+ a year clip in the US last I checked, so Honda needed to get this here.  In Canada currently there is almost a six month wait upon ordering a RAV4 hybrid.  They should probably have the option for their thirstier midsize/3 row models too (Passport/Pilot)

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by frogger

[riviera74]

Hi GM. 

We need a hybrid Equinox and Terrain STAT.  Decently priced and decently equipped.

Sincerely, the American consumer

[smk4565]

Nice update with some solid powertrain choices.  This should continue to sell well andI bet the hybrid take rate is pretty high.

[Drew Dowdell]

5 hours ago, dfelt said:

Over all nice but plain CUV, fits the Honda customer profile and should serve them well. The wood trim looks real and not that plastic fake look but that could just be the pictures.

Two things: 

1. This is going to make it harder for GM to do their package overprice as so much is now included in the base units.
2. GM and FCA need to get their act together to have a Hybrid CUV or EV CUV ASAP as Ford has Hybrids that folks like and now Honda.

This will help push more towards the Hybrid / EV world as these options come out hopefully reasonably priced.

1. is true, GM is going to have to change their pricing structure around in order to keep customers. CR-V has Sense standard, Toyota has their thing standard on the RAV4. 

2. What hybrids at ford? The only hybrid that Ford is making these days is the Explorer. Fusion and CMAX are dead. 

[G. David Felt]

19 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

1. is true, GM is going to have to change their pricing structure around in order to keep customers. CR-V has Sense standard, Toyota has their thing standard on the RAV4. 

2. What hybrids at ford? The only hybrid that Ford is making these days is the Explorer. Fusion and CMAX are dead. 

Have not looked at the Ford lineup of Hybrids, thought they had more than the one and clearly the others are dead as you pointed out. Guess they need to kick themselves in the pants too.

[Drew Dowdell]

4 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Have not looked at the Ford lineup of Hybrids, thought they had more than the one and clearly the others are dead as you pointed out. Guess they need to kick themselves in the pants too.

The only hybrids/EVs at ford are:

1. Fusion Hybrid - Dead
2. Fusion Hybrid Energi - Dead
3. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - still kicking for now.
4. C-Max Hybrid - dead
5. Ford Escape Hybrid - Dead
6. Ford Explorer Hybrid - Brand new
7. Lincoln Aviator GT - Brand New

[daves87rs]

Well, this could bury the GM twins....

[ccap41]

10 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The only hybrids/EVs at ford are:

1. Fusion Hybrid - Dead
2. Fusion Hybrid Energi - Dead
3. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - still kicking for now.
4. C-Max Hybrid - dead
5. Ford Escape Hybrid - Dead
6. Ford Explorer Hybrid - Brand new
7. Lincoln Aviator GT - Brand New

The 2020 Escape is a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. 

[Drew Dowdell]

11 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

The 2020 Escape is a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. 

Ah you got me there. Still, Ford's hybrids haven't stuck around very long. One wonders if they will this time.

[ccap41]

42 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Ah you got me there. Still, Ford's hybrids haven't stuck around very long. One wonders if they will this time.

All of their past attempts felt very half-assed, imo. 

Having a hybrid with an guestimated 39mpg combined and a plug-in with 30 miles of range, those sound much better competitors to the hybrid market compared to their past "efforts". 

The new one is too soft looking for my but if the baby bronco version also gets ~30 miles of plug-in range, I could see myself seriously considering that down the road. But then again, at that point I'll probably be more apt to be looking at something Explorer Plug-in-sized. 

[G. David Felt]

Interesting read on the comparison of this to the Rav4 and Escape.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-honda-cr-v-hybrid-toyota-rav4-ford-escape-comparison/

[frogger]

Last night my SO decided she would like to get a CUV to replace her lightly driven 2008 Accord Coupe with 40K miles on it.  She asked about hybrids but I convinced her pretty quickly it wasn't worth it given how little she drives (maybe worth it with our combined mileage if I end up driving it too if it is a small upcharge for a bit of extra oomph with the MPG).  In the end she will probably end up in a CX5 or Forester, she did express some interest in something "fancier' but I don't think it is worth it with the kid seats, spills, crumbs etc..

[Drew Dowdell]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

All of their past attempts felt very half-assed, imo. 

Having a hybrid with an guestimated 39mpg combined and a plug-in with 30 miles of range, those sound much better competitors to the hybrid market compared to their past "efforts". 

The new one is too soft looking for my but if the baby bronco version also gets ~30 miles of plug-in range, I could see myself seriously considering that down the road. But then again, at that point I'll probably be more apt to be looking at something Explorer Plug-in-sized. 

The Fusion hybrid was very nice, no compromise hybrid and felt more solid than the Camry or Prius.