2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid review
Honda CR-V Hybrid highlights
Customer rating
RepairPal reliability rating
(data not available)
Pros
- Comfortable to drive
- Impressive fuel economy
- All-wheel drive is standard
Cons
- Infotainment system quirks
- Less cargo room than non-hybrid CR-V
- Acceleration is only OK
Mileage (EPA estimate)
40 city, 35 highway, 38 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The fuel-sipping Honda CR-V Hybrid is an overachiever among compact 5-seat SUVs.
In Honda’s roster of SUVs, the CR-V Hybrid is positioned above the smaller subcompact HR-V and below the midsize Passport and three-row Pilot. As you can guess from its name, the CR-V Hybrid also happens to be a more fuel-efficient take on the automaker’s popular CR-V compact sport-ute.
In a mix of city and highway driving, the CR-V Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 38 mpg. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Actual mileage will vary based on things like battery age, vehicle condition and history, driving and charging habits, accessory use, and driving conditions. Battery capacity may decrease with time and use. See fueleconomy.gov for more info. This is about equal to the mileage offered by one of its primary rivals, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Acceleration is fine for routine driving, though road and wind noise tends to increase at highway speed. The infotainment system's touchscreen also can be slow to respond to commands.
These are relatively minor issues with an otherwise finely engineered SUV. Its cargo space is excellent, passenger room is abundant in both rows, and ride comfort is good in all types of driving.
All Honda CR-V Hybrid years
What is new for the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
- The LX trim has been discontinued for 2021.
- Tow Hitch features are now available as options on select trims.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid trims
EX:
- 212-hp, 129-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Remote Start
- Sunroofs
- Rear Defroster
- Automated Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Seats
- Memory Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- View our Honda CR-V Hybrid EX inventory
EX-L:
- Includes all features available on the EX
- Leather Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- View our Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L inventory
Touring:
- Includes all features available on the EX-L
- Parking Sensors
- Navigation System
- View our Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring inventory
Honda CR-V Hybrid photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid
What We Like
Cargo space: The bad news is that the battery pack used in the CR-V Hybrid reduces cargo volume slightly when compared to the non-hybrid model. The good news is that there’s still plenty of room for lots of stuff. Behind the second row, there's about 33 cu-ft of storage that's roomy and easy to access.
Relaxed driving manners: A nicely controlled suspension and light steering make the CR-V Hybrid adept at taking the edge off bumpy roads and when navigating heavy traffic. The reasonable proportions and good outward visibility of the CR-V Hybrid also help make it a calming driving companion.
Standard all-wheel drive: Many SUV shoppers automatically mark the option box to add all-wheel drive. Honda makes that unnecessary with the CR-V Hybrid because it’s fitted as standard on every trim.
What Needs Improvement
Awkward touchscreen controls: The seven-inch touchscreen in the CR-V Hybrid lags behind the more user-friendly systems in a number of competitors. It’s not terrible, and smartphone connectivity is standard. Still, too many commands are buried in layers of menus and response times are slow.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid video review
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is a small SUV and is the hybrid version of the regular CR-V. In this video, Yomary Cruz from Edmunds reviews the CR-V Hybrid SUV and talks about what makes it one of the top compact SUVs around today. How does the CR-V Hybrid compare to its rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Mazda CX-5, and its gas-powered cousin, the CR-V? Would the Hybrid CR-V be a good option if you're in the market for a used small SUV? We answer these questions and more in our review of the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid.
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Ratings & reliability
Honda CR-V Hybrid features and specs
Touring 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
All Wheel (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
212
Torque (ft-lbs)
129
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
14
Wheelbase
104.7"
Overall length
182.1"
Width
73"
Height
66.5"
Leg room
F 41.3"/R 40.4"
Head room
F 38"/R 39.1"
Front tires
P235/55HR19
Rear tires
P235/55HR19
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid FAQ
The Honda CR-V has long been a popular choice for a small SUV thanks to its impressive cabin space, smooth ride, and comfortable interior. Recently, Honda introduced a new version with potentially even more appeal: the CR-V Hybrid.
The Hybrid, as its name suggests, comes with a hybrid powertrain that offers higher EPA-estimated fuel economy than the regular CR-V. It otherwise has many of the same qualities as the regular CR-V that debuted for the 2020 model year.
Every CR-V Hybrid comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a hybrid system. Combined output is 212 horsepower. Every CR-V Hybrid has all-wheel drive too, which can enhance traction when accelerating on snowy or icy roads.
The EPA estimates that the 2020-2021 CR-V Hybrid will return 38 mpg combined, with 40 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. For comparison, a standard 2021 CR-V with all-wheel drive gets an EPA estimate of 29 mpg combined.
The CR-V Hybrid typically accelerates away from a stoplight using electricity from its hybrid battery pack. As the vehicle's speed rises, the system will automatically engage the gas engine to assist or supplant the battery's power. The speed at which the gas engine kicks on is variable and influenced by the battery's state of charge, your driving style, and other factors.
In some hybrid vehicles, the transition from battery to engine power can be jarring, but in the CR-V it's extremely smooth. Similarly, when braking a hybrid vehicle, there can be a jerky sensation. This is a result of the car switching from power regeneration to the use of the physical brakes. With the CR-V Hybrid, this is a very smooth transition—it's much better than in rivals.
Acceleration can feel lively at low speeds or around town. But the CR-V is less impressive when accelerating quickly to highway speeds. Also, the CR-V's engine gets noisy during sustained acceleration or when climbing long mountain grades.
On the upside, the CR-V Hybrid is composed and steady when going around turns. It's fairly entertaining to drive for an economy-minded small SUV.
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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