Used 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V is already an efficient compact crossover. It gets even more useful when you add an efficient hybrid powertrain and standard all-wheel drive. That’s what you get when you opt for the compelling Honda CR-V Hybrid. It has many of the virtues of the non-hybrid CR-V, like a roomy interior and modern safety tech, while netting an impressive combined fuel economy rating of 38 mpg.

The CR-V Hybrid first arrived in the U.S. for the 2020 model year, and there won’t be any significant changes for the 2022 model. It will continue to compete with other big names in this segment, like the hybrid versions of the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, plus the new-for-2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. These are all tough competitors with slight differences in fuel economy, price, and feature content. Choosing the right compact hybrid crossover for you primarily comes down to personal preference, but the CR-V Hybrid should be on your shopping list.

If you associate hybrid cars with being slow and dull to drive, think again. The Honda CR-V Hybrid has more power and torque than the non-hybrid CR-V while also being more fuel-efficient. It isn’t turbocharged like the regular CR-V is, but the hybrid model has two electric motors that give it plenty of pep and low-end torque. Acceleration is quick, but it can get a bit noisy if you step on it.

Some SUVs in this segment are more fun to drive, but the CR-V is among the most agile when it comes to hybrid crossovers. The handling is better than you might expect in tight corners. The CR-V Hybrid is a versatile SUV that drives like a compact car.

The ride in the Honda CR-V Hybrid is smooth and comfortable. It’s agreeable in around-town errand running, long-distance highway cruising, and everything in-between. Its gentle ride and hushed cabin make for a pleasant experience for the driver and passengers alike.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid is plenty roomy for passengers. The first and second rows have ample headroom and legroom to seat four adults comfortably. Like every 5-passenger SUV in this class, it gets a little tight in the back if all three seats are occupied. The roomy passenger space of the CR-V Hybrid makes it suitable as a small family vehicle.

The cargo area is pretty roomy as well, but the hybrid battery means there’s a bit less cargo space than the non-hybrid CR-V. There’s an extra 6 cubic feet of space in the regular CR-V. You can expand the cargo hold by folding down the 60/40 split back seats to create a maximum of 68.7 cubic feet of space (vs. 75.8 in the standard CR-V).

The interior design is excellent and gives the CR-V Hybrid a modern feel. Some of the controls take a bit of getting used to, like the vertical gear shift buttons and the sometimes frustrating infotainment system.

The exterior of the Honda CR-V Hybrid is just about identical to the non-hybrid CR-V. If you want to drive a hybrid without making a statement, that’s a good thing. It’s a good-looking SUV, but it does not exactly stand out in traffic since it’s so common. Its more stylish elements include nice-looking wheels and a sleek LED light signature in front and back.

In terms of size, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is almost identical in size to its closest rivals. It’s right in line with the compact SUV class, and is similar in size as the hybrid variants of the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, and Hyundai Tucson.

EFFICIENT HYBRID POWERTRAIN
This frugal hybrid system returns 40 city/35 highway mpg while delivering 212 horsepower.

HONDA SENSING
The Honda Sensing safety tech suite comes standard on every CR-V Hybrid, making your daily drive safer and more convenient.

The standard feature content of the base CR-V Hybrid EX is similar to the non-hybrid CR-V EX. It comes standard with the Honda Sensing safety tech suite, which includes forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.

Other standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, LED headlights and foglights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, push-button start, and more.

The standard infotainment system is a 7-inch screen loaded with Bluetooth streaming audio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay with 8-speaker audio.

Unlike the non-hybrid CR-V, all-wheel drive comes standard on the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

Upgrading to the EX-L trim adds several premium features to the CR-V Hybrid. It adds leather seats, power liftgate, heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming mirror.

The Touring trim is at the top of the model range. It adds a hands-free power liftgate, wireless charging, 19-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, roof rails, and satellite navigation.

The sole powertrain option in the Honda CR-V Hybrid is a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine mated to two electric motors. These twin electric motors provide standard all-wheel drive on every CR-V Hybrid, which is excellent for snowy climates, but this isn’t much of an off-roader.

This hybrid powertrain returns impressive fuel economy numbers of 40 city/35 highway/38 combined mpg. That combined fuel economy rating makes it a little less efficient than the RAV4 Hybrid and Escape Hybrid and tied with the most efficient version of the Tucson Hybrid.

Every CR-V Hybrid is equipped with an e-CVT automatic transmission, which makes it both efficient and responsive.

2.0-liter Atkinson cycle inline-4, dual electric motors
212 horsepower total
232 lb-ft of torque total
EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 40 mpg/35 mpg/38 mpg