Flash Drive

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

November 17, 2020 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is handsomely styled. It’s city friendly size-wise, but passenger friendly inside.

Engine: 2.0-liter I-4, 212 horsepower, 232 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 40-mpg city, 35-mpg highway, 38-mpg combined

Base Price: $35,950

As Tested: $35,950

Performance:

Smooth highway ride, quiet, refined

Hybrid more powerful than standard CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is an excellent road vehicle in all types of weather.

Minimal electric-only range

Adjustable regenerative braking

Excellent all-wheel-drive system

Console controls for Sport, Econ, and EV driving modes

Sharp looking 19-inch alloy wheels

Rain sensing wipers

Comprehensive safety features

Comfort:

Stretch-out front row legroom

Heated front seats (3 temps)

Front seat room and comfort are excellent, especially in the top Touring trim level as found on the Hybrid.

Driver power lumbar support

Power passenger seat, but no lumbar feature

Leather trimmed seating surfaces

Medium thick, slightly contoured, heated leather steering wheel

Lots of good auxiliary controls

Very effective sound insulation

Excellent backseat legroom for adults

Almost flat floor, minimal hump

Adults fit fine in middle

Rear seat room is great including the adult size middle position.

Middle cushion pretty firm

Soft, wide armrest

Quality interior materials

Large sun visors

Utility:

Split rear seats (60/40) fold flat

Large cargo area

Flat floor

Power liftgate opens high for tall people

Wide opening, no lift-over

The CR-V has good cargo space and flexibility thanks to the fold flat split rear seats.

One seatback pouch

Medium front door bins

Big, two-part center console

Big locking glovebox

WOW Factors:

Strong fuel economy

Spacious passenger room both rows

Handsome styling

Confident AWD system

Whines:

Still not thrilled with unique shifter, but getting used to it

We’d prefer an old school shift lever to Honda’s push button transmission controls.

No spare tire; space used by hybrid components

Infotainment system getting dated

Bottom Line:

The Honda CR-V has ranked as America’s best-selling crossover utility vehicle during its two-plus decades on the market. The addition of a hybrid in 2020 makes it even more attractive. The CR-V Hybrid Touring is the top trim level and the comfortable, spacious interior bears that out. The exterior size is city-friendly and the interior has ample room for people and cargo. The 2020

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid has a flat cargo deck and good space behind the seats, but there isn’t any extra space under the deck due to it being a hybrid.

Honda CR-V Hybrid is a best seller because it does so many things very well.