Honda CR-V vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a cleaner and slightly meaner look compared to its predecessor. This sixth-generation model showcased a blunt nose, long hood, and stretched wheelbase. Although it didn’t display as much personality as the fifth-generation CR-V it replaced, its conservative styling was expected to age well. Both the CR-V EX and CR-V EX-L came with 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, presenting a cohesive external appearance. Inside, the EX-L version offered a more luxurious feel with leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, compared with the standard cloth upholstery in the EX. The dashboard design echoed the latest Civic, incorporating metal mesh trim that integrated the air vents.

By contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid sported a more aggressive and technical face, reminiscent of an angry robot, which was also expected to age well despite perhaps carrying too much visual weight over its front wheels. The black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim on the Sport Hybrid gave it a sporty look, while the Sport Touring variant featured exclusive 19-inch gloss black wheels. The interior of the Sport Touring Hybrid test vehicle impressed with leather seats featuring orange contrast stitching and a variety of details that conveyed a sense of quality. It boasted a sophisticated cabin, from the sound of the doors shutting to the metal mesh hiding the dashboard air vents.

The 2023 Honda CR-V came powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. However, the presence of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) muted the driving experience during hard acceleration, with a noticeable droning noise. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, quelling unwanted body motion and improving comfort over rough surfaces. The vehicle's suspension, steering, and brakes were finely tuned, leading to an engaging driving experience. Fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 29.1 mpg on a mountainous Southern California evaluation route, matching the EPA's estimation.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 204 horsepower. The propulsion motor powered the SUV, while the generator/starter motor recharged the battery. The system operated mostly transparently, with occasional low-speed noise and engine droning during uphill driving. Despite its technical complexity, it delivered a reasonable 32.4 mpg in combined driving on a test route, which fell short of the EPA-estimated 37 mpg. The hybrid model maintained quiet road manners, a compliant ride quality, and predictable handling, although the steering felt unusually heavy. The CR-V Hybrid, while easy and fun to drive, did not offer off-road capability or exceptional driving thrills.

The 2023 Honda CR-V claimed to be the roomiest version yet, though the standard 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat didn’t fully convey this. The CR-V's second row felt more spacious, almost akin to a midsize model, offering excellent legroom and comfort for adults despite potential headroom limitations. With rear seats deployed, the cargo area offered 39.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with seats folded down.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior comfort and cargo space. All Hybrid models featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and the Sport Touring trim included added touches like heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The back seats provided generous comfort and legroom, making it easy for adults and families to ride comfortably. With the rear seats up, the Sport Touring variant provided 34.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the Sport and Sport-L trims, which offered 36.3 cubic feet. However, with the seats folded down, all Hybrid models matched the 76.5 cubic feet of space seen in the 2023 model.

The 2023 Honda CR-V included a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with basic features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an improved sound system. However, for premium features like a Bose sound system and navigation, buyers needed to opt for the top-tier Sport Touring Hybrid variant. Despite this, users found the existing features user-friendly though not particularly innovative.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included similar technology offerings with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and infotainment system in the Sport Hybrid trim. The Sport-L and Sport Touring trims offered a larger 9-inch screen and additional features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system in the Sport Touring version. The voice recognition system, however, showed limitations and the connected services were only available in the Sport Touring variant. The walk-away automatic locking feature added a touch of convenience and peace of mind.

For the 2023 Honda CR-V, Honda made significant improvements to its safety features under the Honda Sensing umbrella. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and more. New camera and radar technology contributed to smoother operation and more accurate performance. However, lane-centering assist sometimes struggled on highways. Honda also designed the CR-V with its latest Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure for better crash protection. Due to its new design, the 2023 model awaited evaluations from NHTSA and IIHS at the time.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid followed suit, packing a comprehensive suite of safety features under Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and lane-centering assist, among others. The tech performed well in various driving conditions, particularly on curvy roads and during traffic congestion. Additional features in higher trims included parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking control. The IIHS awarded the 2024 CR-V Hybrid with impressive ratings and a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023, although NHTSA ratings were pending.