New Model News
Honda adding CR-V Hybrid to lineup, refreshing CR-V's looks for 2020
Honda has added a new CR-V to its lineup for the 2020 model year, the CR-V Hybrid.
Do you hear that, Toyota? Honda is coming for you. With the addition of the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid to the company's stable, the automaker is more poised than ever to take on the sales competition of the Toyota RAV4, in ways that the Nissan Rogue Hybrid wasn't ready to.
The move is on top of a refreshed exterior design for the 2020 model year across the CR-V lineup, which sees the compact SUV get a bolder and less segmented design in line with the looks of the Honda Pilot, Passport, and HR-V. The Hybrid also gets hybrid model badging, a blue Honda logo in the center of the grille, distinctive bar-type fog lights, and a hidden tailpipe. The CR-V Hybrid Touring trim has a unique rear bumper.
The 2020 CR-V has refined fascias.Photo courtesy of Honda North America
Honda has added three new paint jobs for the 2020 model year: Sonic Gray Pearl, Aegean Blue Metallic, and Radiant Red Metallic. The gray and red are available on all models but the blue is exclusively for non-hybrid CR-Vs..
All CR-V EX and EX-L trims, including Hybrid, will ride on newly designed 18-inch wheels with a dark gray and machined finish. CR-V Touring models come standard with a new19-inch wheel.
For 2020, the non-hybrid CR-V is powered exclusively by a 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder power plant. CR-V Hybrid SUVs get two electric motors paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine resulting in 212 total horsepower.
Inside the cabin, the non-hybrid and hybrid CR-V models are also very similar. Hybrid models have their gear shifter flanked by switches for Econ, Sport, and EV drive modes. While Econ and EV are explanatory, Sport is a little more technical. Sport model enhances throttle response and the sound of the exhaust is changed for a sportier note.
The interior of the CR-V Hybrid has a different shifter and new drive modes.Photo courtesy of Honda North America
Honda has change up the instrument panel for the CR-V Hybrid models. Those SUVs get a power-charge monitor and a driver-selectable display for power distribution and regeneration. Like in the Hyundai Ioniq, the CR-V has deceleration paddles where paddle shifters would normally be, allowing for various degrees of harshness.
The automaker has redesigned the CR-V's center console to allow for easier storage. There's also standard Qi wireless charging on Touring trim models.
All 2020 model year Honda CR-Vs will come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistance technologies including the automaker's Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow, and Lane Keeping Assist. Blind spot information, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, and Auto High Beam headlights are available.
Even in CR-V Hybrid models, the cargo load floor remains flat.Photo courtesy of Honda North America
The 2019 Honda CR-V started at $25,545 and topped off just over $35,000. Pricing for the non-hybrid 2020 CR-V is expected to be similar but hybrid buyers will likely pay a premium for their product.
Expect to see the CR-V and CR-V hybrid in showrooms next year.