Honda introduced the CR-V in 1997, offering shoppers a small, easy-to-drive, and efficient alternative to the Passport that could compete against the popular Toyota RAV4.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
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Shoppers in the compact SUV segment typically prioritize cost and efficiency, so it made sense to develop a hybrid powertrain, which was added in the U.S. for 2020 and in Canada for the 2023 model year. As before, the Honda CR-V Hybrid followed the RAV4 Hybrid to market, trailing by a few years. The Hybrid variant delivered everything the standard CR-V did without any sacrifice to passenger or cargo space. Naturally, these hybrid models cost a few thousand dollars more, but the long-term fuel savings were able to cross the break-even point within eight years, depending on driving distances and habits.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Honda CR-V Hybrid Pros and Cons
- Honda CR-V Hybrid generations
- Second Generation (2023-present)
- First Generation (2020-2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honda CR-V Hybrid years are the best?
In Canada, only one generation of the Honda CR-V Hybrid has been sold, beginning with the 2023 model year. All CR-V Hybrid model years are therefore very similar. However, there have been some important recalls on these vehicles since launch including some addressing battery fire risk and potential fuel leaks. Ensure all recalls have been addressed on any used CR-V Hybrid you may be considering.
Which Honda CR-V Hybrid years are the worst?
Only the second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid has been sold in Canada, and all model years have been similar since its 2023 launch. There have been some significant recalls in that time affecting all model years, though, including one addressing a risk of battery fire and another to fix a fuel leak issue. If you’re looking at a used CR-V Hybrid, be sure these problems have been addressed before buying.
Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid a good deal?
Whether you're considering a new or a pre-owned Honda CR-V Hybrid, it will retain its value better than most other compact SUVs. As with any vehicle, the most significant depreciation occurs in the first two years after production, which is why we suggest budget-minded shoppers seek out used, low-kilometre examples to maximize their dollars.
Honda CR-V Hybrid Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Spacious seating
- Comfortable ride quality
- Standard all-wheel drive
Cons:
- No discernible hybrid power advantage
- Engine sounds unrefined and stressed on uphill climbs
- Used examples are comparatively expensive
Honda CR-V Hybrid generations
Second Generation (2023-present)
The second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid — which was the first to be sold in Canada — debuted alongside the sixth-generation CR-V that was redesigned for 2023. As with the rest of the lineup, the Hybrid's new look gives it a bit more presence with a blockier silhouette. The grille is more upright compared to its predecessor's tapered nose, adding some brawn and utilitarian style. However, this new CR-V is only marginally larger than before, growing just shy of seven centimetres in length. From the side and the rear, the styling changes are more subtle with similar body sculpting and an evolution of the Volvo-like taillights.
The interior received a more significant makeover, adopting some of the styling cues from the Civic that was redesigned a year prior. A horizontal mesh element in the dashboard hides the air vents for a cleaner look, while the infotainment touchscreen has been relocated above. The centre stack transition between the dash and the centre console has a more traditional look as opposed to the previous awkwardly angled section. This also allows for improved interior storage with a rubber phone tray and a larger centre armrest bin.
The rear seats lost roughly 2.5 centimetres of headroom with the redesign but gained 1.5 cm in legroom. Despite this, adult passengers can still comfortably fit back there. Behind those rear seatbacks, the CR-V Hybrid can hold up to 1,028 litres of cargo, an increase of 18 percent over the last generation.
Initially, the CR-V Hybrid was only offered in the top Touring trim in Canada. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid system has a combined output of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, compared to the non-hybrid's turbocharged 1.5-litre engine that produces 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard. Despite the power advantage, the Hybrid's acceleration is comparable to the gas-only engine, likely due to the added roughly 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of battery weight.
Around town, the CR-V Hybrid can run primarily on electric propulsion, fed directly to the wheels via the two electric motors (one for each axle). In the standard hybrid mode, the gas engine serves as a generator to keep the battery charged but also contributes power to the front wheels. On the highway, the gas engine supplies most of the power as internal combustion engines are much more efficient at higher speeds.
On the road, the CR-V Hybrid is composed and comfortable, satisfying most drivers. Compared to other compact SUVs, its performance is about average. You have to give the accelerator pedal more pressure on uphill climbs, though, which results in a loud and persistent buzz from the engine. Even though the Hybrid has a direct-drive powertrain, it behaves a lot like one with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The 2023 Touring Hybrid came fully loaded with 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, a rear camera washer, leather upholstery with orange accents, a nine-inch infotainment system with on-board navigation, two rear USB-C ports, and a Bose 12-speaker sound system. These features were in addition to other premium features found on the top gas-only models such as a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, and a full suite of driver assistance technology including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and the standard Honda Sensing suite with lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.
In its follow-up 2024 model year, the EX-L Hybrid trim was added to the CR-V Hybrid line-up one step below the Touring model. This provided a slightly more affordable alternative that was missing only a few premium features. It came with 18-inch alloy wheels and an eight-speaker audio system and was missing the Touring’s black roof rails, hands-free power liftgate, rear camera washer, rain-sensing wipers, on-board navigation, and the low-speed braking control system from the Honda Sensing suite.
The bigger news for 2026 was the addition of new Sport and TrailSport Hybrid models. The latter is intended for off-road adventures and adds all-terrain tires, more rugged styling elements, and TrailSport logos with orange accents. A larger 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen also debuts with this and higher trim levels. Underbody skid plates are not included, limiting the TrailSport CR-V Hybrid to light off-road duties.
Natural Resources Canada estimates the second-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid will consume 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 in combined driving. The TrailSport's added features raise its figures to 6.3 L/100 km city, 7.2 highway, and 6.7 combined. By comparison, the non-hybrid CR-Vs are estimated at between 7.8 and 8.4 L/100 km combined, which could cost owners up to $600 more in fuel per year. The CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy estimates are comparable to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s and the Kia Sportage Hybrid’s, though both are also offered as plug-in hybrids.
In crash tests conducted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the CR-V Hybrid received five out of five stars in overall and side crash protection and four stars for frontal and rollover evaluations. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2023 CR-V Hybrid its best score of "Good" in all crash tests except the updated frontal moderate overlap test, where it received the lowest "Poor" score. Despite this, it was named a Top Safety Pick+, which is the Institute's highest honour. This was adjusted to second-best Top Safety Pick status for 2024 and later.
In its inaugural year, the second-gen CR-V Hybrid was issued recalls for its fuel pump, steering gearbox, high voltage battery terminal, and for a possible loss of power caused by the transmission. The transmission and battery terminal issues were addressed that year, but the fuel pump and steering problems persisted. In 2025, a fuel hose leak recall was added. As always, ask about all the above during an inspection or a test drive.
The starting MSRP for a new 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid spans from $49,041 for the Sport Hybrid to $54,341 for the Touring Hybrid at the time of writing, including destination charges and other fees. You’ll find plenty of selection on the Canadian used vehicle market. Many examples with reasonable odometer readings for their age can save buyers $10,000 or more over buying new.
First Generation (2020-2022)
Honda first dropped a hybrid powertrain into the CR-V for its 2020 model year, joining the rest of the fifth-generation lineup that was redesigned for 2017. This version of the Honda CR-V Hybrid was not offered in Canada.
Besides some unique badging, the Hybrid looked identical to the standard, gas-powered CR-V of the time. Under the hood was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 212 horsepower. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, while the non-hybrid CR-V offered it as an option. The non-hybrid's 1.5-litre turbocharged engine was rated at 190 hp, but it still out-accelerated the Hybrid. That left the Hybrid on the slow side of the class, and it felt even weaker on steep uphill climbs.
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by Mark Takahashi
Mark Takahashi's automotive career began in art direction working on car and motorcycle publications, and he honed his craft as an amateur open-wheel racer. Those experiences opened the way into automotive journalism, where he built a reputation writing for outlets including Edmunds, Car and Driver, Autoblog, and TrueCar, reviewing thousands of vehicles during a decades-long career and earning a seat on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards.
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