2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid

This generation of CR-V is the best yet, which is saying something considering that the CR-V has been a longstanding benchmark in the compact SUV class. We’ve made the CR-V a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy award winner three years in a row. And this hybrid version of the current CR-V would be our choice.

Honda has created a refined and enjoyable vehicle that gets so many things right. It’s roomy, well-equipped (including many safety features), has great build quality and strong resale values, is a pleasure to drive, and keeps the fuel bills bearable.

The wider CR-V lineup, which debuted for 2023, includes combustion-only variants in the lower trims. Honda follows this approach with its Accord midsize sedan as well.

The non-hybrid Honda CR-V is reviewed separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

A hydrogen-powered fuel cell version of the CR-V — the Honda CR-V e:FCEV — becomes available in California exclusively, while the rest of the lineup continues as before.

For some context, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid all start slightly below the CR-V Hybrid, but the Honda has some equipment advantages.

Before buying a new CR-V Hybrid compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what you should be paying. The entire CR-V range enjoys strong resale values, with this hybrid version having an edge over its combustion-only stablemate. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The CR-V Hybrid is propelled by a 204-horsepower drivetrain harnessing energy from a gasoline engine and an electric motor. This latter item adds that extra spark to make this hybrid model even more enjoyable than the combustion-only CR-V. Even though the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid have more power, we prefer the way the CR-V Hybrid drives.

Easy, effort-free driving has always been something of a CR-V trait in previous generations. It’s still evident in this CR-V Hybrid, but we’ve discovered an added dimension to this king of the suburban road. There’s a poise and agility to how the CR-V Hybrid drives, a perfect complement to this energetic drivetrain. A satisfying driving experience doesn’t come just from accelerating or zipping around corners. It’s also in things like confident braking, great outward vision (helped by the wide windshield), and a quiet cabin. We’ve found that the CR-V Hybrid excels at this stuff.

Hybrids have brake energy regeneration systems that sometimes result in an odd feel to the pedal. Not this one. Stopping power is precise and strong, with enough feedback so drivers can tell how much pressure to apply for smooth stops.

A few years ago, we wouldn’t have bothered to mention the presence of a shift lever for the automatic transmission. With the rise of non-traditional gear selectors in many other vehicles, the conventional shifter in the CR-V Hybrid caught our attention. It’s great, it works, and it feels intuitive.

Fuel Economy

The CR-V Hybrid is among the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs on the market. With front-wheel drive, it delivers 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving or 37 mpg with all-wheel drive. The AWD Toyota RAV4 Hybrid runs to 40 mpg (but with less power), while the AWD Kia Sportage Hybrid manages 38 mpg (the Sportage Hybrid is also available with FWD and 43 mpg, but it’s only offered on the base LX trim which is not that popular).

Hybrid Fuel Savings

At 15,000 miles a year, a front-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid will use 10 fewer gallons a month than its gasoline-only counterpart. Even at $3 per gallon, that’s a savings of $30 every month. Looking at a full 5-year buy/drive/sell ownership cycle, those savings would more than make up for the hybrid’s relatively nominal price premium. The hybrid also requires about 10 fewer trips to the gas station each year.

Honda CR-V e:FCEV

Californians, this bit applies to you. Honda has once again produced a vehicle using fuel cell technology powered by hydrogen. The difference this time is that the battery can also be replenished by connecting it to an outside charger — a good thing to have at home or when the hydrogen filling station is a bit too far away. Battery range is estimated at 29 miles, which could account for many owners’ daily driving requirements.

Body Stabilizing Seats. That’s what Honda calls the front seats in the CR-V Hybrid compact SUV. And there we were, thinking that all car seats — with their cushions and side bolsters — were designed to stabilize the body sitting in them. Fancy terms notwithstanding, they’re supportive and comfortable enough for long trips.

The most affordable CR-V Hybrid is the Sport trim, which is equipped to a decent level. But it also has a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, which seems a bit small these days. Even the 9-inch touchscreen in the Sport-L and Sport Touring is relatively modest. Honda is kind enough to supply an actual volume knob, though.

The driver information display’s sharp graphics and clean appearance are a visual delight. The black metal mesh strip running across the dashboard looks good. But we can also imagine an owner buying a small paintbrush to keep in the glove compartment, just so they can clean out that mesh from time to time. Thank goodness sticky-fingered kids will be sitting in the back.

Adults (with sticky hands or otherwise) will find plenty of space in the second row thanks to an expansive 41 inches of legroom — enough for a 6-footer to be comfortable and exceptional for the class. Rear seat belt reminders are standard.

Cargo space goes from “massive” with the rear seats up to “about twice as massive” when folded down. Seriously. The figures are 36.3 and 76.5 cubic feet, yet another way this Honda compares well against the competition. A low cargo floor eases the loading and unloading of heavier items.

After years of being a best-selling SUV, the styling of the CR-V has (to our eyes) finally gained a presence and maturity with this latest incarnation. Honda has also improved body rigidity over the previous generation, which allowed engineers to optimize the suspension’s setup and brings safety advantages.

Hybrid drivetrain
No-brainer, best of both worlds. However you want to phrase it, the CR-V Hybrid doesn’t sacrifice power for fuel economy or vice versa. It’s a big thumbs-up from us.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Whoever invented the way to integrate a smartphone and its apps into a car’s infotainment system, we salute you. This capability is standard across the CR-V Hybrid lineup, but the top Sport Touring has wireless Apple CarPlay.

Wireless charging
It’s great to go the whole wireless hog. The charging pad is in the center console of the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims.

All-wheel drive
Optional in Sport and Sport-L trims, standard in the Sport Touring, all-wheel drive earns its keep in bad weather. Every CR-V Hybrid also has a Snow driving mode, where throttle and transmission settings help combat wheelspin.

Hill descent control
A standard system with both FWD and AWD versions of the CR-V Hybrid, hill descent control works between 2 mph and 12 mph, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering down a slippery slope while the vehicle takes care of the throttle, brakes and transmission.

Traffic Jam Assist
As long as it senses an attentive hand on the wheel, the CR-V Hybrid can almost drive itself through a variety of traffic conditions up to 45 mph. We appreciate how it alleviates some of the grind of city driving.

The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid employs a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor working together to create a total of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. This energy goes through an automatic transmission to the road via FWD or available AWD (optional in Sport and Sport-L versions, standard in the top Sport Touring model).

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The CR-V Hybrid has a basic new-vehicle warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. This guarantee is typical for mainstream companies like Honda, although Hyundai and Kia offer longer terms. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles, while the hybrid battery has a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. Honda also includes complimentary maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Honda CR-V is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the agency’s second-highest accolade. It also took a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with a low-speed follow function.