2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Lower Price, Lower MPG Than Escape, RAV4 Rivals
The hybrid version of Honda’s refreshed 2020 CR-V compact SUV is going on sale March 1, bringing an EPA rating of 40/35/38 mpg city/highway/combined, according to Honda, and a starting price of $28,870 (with a $1,120 destination charge) for the LX base trim level.
Related: 2020 Honda CR-V: A Honda-First Hybrid Joins Best-Selling SUV’s Lineup
The base price for the hybrid — which has standard all-wheel drive — is $1,200 more than the gasoline base LX with AWD and $2,700 more than a front-drive LX. The CR-V Hybrid also will be offered in higher trim levels with nicer trim and more features, including the EX (starting at $31,380), EX-L ($33,870) and top-of-the-line Touring ($37,070). Each of these also is a $1,200 premium over the equivalent gasoline AWD model.
The CR-V mileage ratings are close to, but just shy of, its major hybrid compact SUV rivals, the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, which have combined fuel-economy ratings of 40 mpg and up to 41 mpg, respectively. You can compare the Escape’s and RAV4’s EPA ratings here; the CR-V Hybrid’s ratings have not yet been posted on the EPA site. The CR-V Hybrid’s starting price compares with $29,470 for the least expensive RAV4 Hybrid (which also has AWD standard) and $29,460 for the Escape with FWD, $30,960 with AWD.
The CR-V Hybrid includes the Honda two-motor hybrid system, AWD and the Honda Sensing bundle of safety and driver assistance technology, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Also standard are LED headlights and a proximity key with push-button start. The hybrid includes selectable Sport, EV and Econ drive modes, and a digital gauge cluster with some hybrid-specific functions.
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The CR-V Hybrid system is the same as the responsive system we have liked in the Accord Hybrid. It operates without a conventional automatic transmission and includes a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, an electric drive motor and an electric motor-generator, and has a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pounds-feet of torque. That’s slightly higher than the 190-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four in gasoline CR-Vs.
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