Honda CRV Hybrid Review

[@ajs5018]

As a CRV Hybrid owner , I think this is a very honest and detailed review. One small point, most of my driving is in town and suburbs (45 miles daily between school run and work) but I do find that I get more and better mileage between tanks of fuel if I have some motorway driving in the middle . There is a preconceived idea that hybrids don't do well in motorways but in CRV's example, I am not so sure. Overall, great review. Thanks

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for your comment. Having only a week to review the CR-V I tend to see how the car reacts to my daily commute (around 7 miles!!) and then on a separate day enjoy a bit more motorway driving and see how it compares and feels in that environment. I do appreciate your comment as that is a scenario I was unable to replicate. Thank you.

[@RationalCreed]

Have you experienced any rattling from the engine when starting up in the morning? Some have said that they do with the Hybrid

[@ajs5018]

@@RationalCreed I do have critical eyes and always aware of any rattling noises. My previous Diesel CRV had a very weird rattling noise between 2500 and 2800 rpm , I had to make the honda mechanic with me because he couldn't spot it. All this to say that in regards to your Q, after 10000 miles, yet to get any rattling of any sort.

[@shieldaigbencher]

I love my 2022 ex model. Paddles work brilliantly when you get used to them. Very quiet car. Engine doesn’t flare up at all in normal driving. In real world driving a mixture of town, rural roads and motorways, I get 49mpg. Great seats, Apple car play used all the time. Much quieter and more comfortable than the RAV4 I also test drove (obviously) and an all round great car. New 2023 model is way more expensive and I expect brilliant but I am super happy with mine for now. Car is very colour sensitive. Mine is black but it looks best in white or rallye red. Metallic red and the greys are so dull.

[@TR4zest]

My take on the regenerative braking differs from yours. I see it a bit like selecting lower gears to slow the car. It can bring the car to an almost complete stop. The right hand paddle works in tandem with the left to finesse your resistance if cars in front start to roll on. I think I saw in the manual, but have not tried yet, is that when in sport mode, the regenerative braking does what you describe you want. Once set with the paddles, it does not reset. You can control the deceleration as road conditions require with the +/- paddles. (See Sport Mode section of manual. Page 217 in my UK version).

[@mambad1561]

That's exactly right. It's there to increse braking power , charging battery it's just extra benefit.

[@johnturner8467]

Setting and forgetting “Auto Hold” could be a real pain in the proverbial. When you come to low speed manoeuvres, having the brake grab on every time you touch it will drive you nuts.

[@andrewbrockway5857]

My hr-v has the auto hold and it doesn’t behave like this - only engages once completely stopped/braked. I’ve never had it interrupt slow manoeuvres

[@nathanwolf5547]

Try and get an Outlander PHEV on test Dave. It’s the forerunner of what’s in the Honda and then some. I had the first version for three years. An amazing car, once you’ve learned to drive it properly.

[@sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu6298]

So much info others don't mention. Good review. Thanks.

[@hansjansen3600]

Hans Jansen. Just bought a 2019 hybrid. Drives superb!

[@AutoBears]

I’m happy to hear that Hans. I hope you enjoy your CRV.

[@aldes16]

What mpg did you achieve while you had the car?

[@dansorescu5720]

Loved the review. Greetings from Timișoara, Romania.

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for the comment. I’m happy you enjoyed the review. Great to see AutoBears being watched in Romania!!

[@dansorescu5720]

@@AutoBears you're most welcome 😊

[@colinlambert791]

Just rewatched your excellent vid as contemplating buying CR-V. Had a test drive this morning. You are quite correct re the regen paddles. Are bluddy pointless IMHO. My HR-V e:HEV stays put at 4>>>> all the time as does brake hold! The only thing I did notice with the regen paddles is that having applied 4>>>> they WILL stay engaged as long as you do not touch the accelerator. This is fine going down a long hill as you will get max regen as long as you are going down the hill with foot OFF accelerator. My biggest gripe with this car (and ALL Hondas - apart from said HR-V is that F***ing AWFUL beepbeep horn. The most expensive car in the Honda line up and that pathetic grotty little toooter. HR-V HEV has a PROPER Horn as standard. I have told dealer I will not buy a CR-V unless he replaces it! The other horror is that around town this morning driving like a ballet dancer I got only 37 MPG from the AWD version I was in. this included copious use of the EV button, which the HR-V doesn't have. But It does manage SEVENTY MPG on the same route! The infotainment set up on the CR-V is out of the stone ages compared with the HR-V. THE CR-V RIDE, HOWEVER IS FAR SUPERIOR AS IS THE MUCH LESS TORTURED COW NOISE FROM THE ENGINE UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. Oh decisions, decisions!

[@AutoBears]

Hi there Colin. Thank you for your comment. It is a tough decision. Yes the pathetic horn needs to be addressed by Honda. No one will move with that beeping going on! I can look to review the facelift CR-V next year Colin if that helps? Thank you again.

[@shieldaigbencher]

@@AutoBears I hooted a Porsche today. I think he must have wet himself laughing.

[@pappap3788]

Within day one from dealership of the 2021 C-RV hybrid, the vehicle has been plagued with faults. The engine dies when the dial goes onto the charge, so when you slow down ar a junction or corner, the engine dies and stops. Very dangerous. All the warning lights come on and doesn't go off. Took it back to the dealership and the mechanic said that Honda haven't given out a software update for the issues and just to continue driving the car. Thus far, having done lots of research into these faults, there seems to be a major problem with the C-RV hybrid.

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for your comment and so sorry to hear your car has had many issues. I hope Honda UK are able to resolve it for you.

[@eagleethics6530]

worth a million like . continue

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@mjr7817]

Not car related - Citizen eco drive night hawk. Had that before. Lovely timepiece

[@AutoBears]

Hey there MJR. Thank you very much for the comment. Does this make me an influencer now?

[@frankiechissim6776]

What are the alternative options if you do alot of motorway driving? (Not diesall) and want to move towards electric but not fully?

[@kridgwell]

Another good one - I have been looking at the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - that would be a good review - just saying....LOL

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for your comment Kim. I will definitely look into a PHEV to review once some form of normality returns.

[@johnturner8467]

Why would say that you’re not supposed to go long distances in the CR V Hybrid.

[@Awiwi-ti899]

Informative review, mate! One quick Q: in the morning when you first turn the ignition on, how long do you wait before you drive off?

[@AutoBears]

Hi Carlos, thank you for the comment. When starting the CRV I’d be waiting around 30 seconds before departing as I’m usually setting up my phone and getting music ready to play. In response to your second comment, I believe there is an app for the Honda but have not used it at all.

[@TR4zest]

You can drive immediately. You are not required to wait or charge the battery or anything.

[@ericoler1]

you can buy a larger screen aftermarket if you want a 10"screen

[@LesJames57]

Where from?

[@geometryexplainseverything4926]

4:18secs "that's what she said" 😊👍

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

Do you think the second row is wide enough for one average size baby seat and two booster seats?

[@AutoBears]

Thankn you for the comment Cee and apologies for the late reply. I thing the rear seats should be able to handle the booster seats and child seat. However I always recommend taking a visit to the dealership to "try before you buy" as you'll get the opportunity to try out those seats in the comfort of the dealership. Hope this helps.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

@@AutoBears thanks, certainly helps. No problem about the late reply! I'm trying to minimise any interaction so looking for as much help without going to check in person, and on the look out for bargains in this economic climate. In Australia we can still test drive etc, but I want to be as sure as possible before I go out. At the moment I'm thinking about this, the CX-5, the Kodiaq. We have a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso so it's hard to find something as practical! Appreciate the help, and keep up the great work. About to watch the MG EV review as I'd like an EV or PHEV if I can afford it.

[@henryhonda8408]

Not sure how you can drive from the passenger seat.

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for the comment Henry. Luckily there’s a steering wheel on the ‘right’ side so I was ok.

[@Awiwi-ti899]

A follow up: Does Honda has an app for this vehicle?

[@AutoBears]

Hi Carlos. I do believe Honda use an App for the car. Honda Connect. It is something you can use on the new Jazz.

[@nathanwolf5547]

Both of the things you mention are safety issues. If you are expecting the car to brake in a certain way and it doesn’t there could be an accident. The Outlander regen stays in place until the car is turned off. As with the coast function on my Skoda it resets with the ignition in case you forget the car is going to roll rather than engine brake. Why do the Japanese have such a job with creating responsive, well designed in car systems?

[@FlightProgramAborted]

What car has fabric in the door bins???, and road noise intrusion!!. the petrol engine is 145 hp not 184, The Electric engine is 184hp

[@AutoBears]

Hi there Mike. Lots of cars have fabric in the door bins and road noise intrusion. It’s caused by the tyres on the road. The electric engine? You mean motor is 184bhp?

[@enigma1000]

@@AutoBears The electric drive motor is 184bhp. The petrol engine, which mainly drives the generator motor is 145bhp. It’s not clear, to me, what the maximum bhp applied to the wheels actually is because at about 65mph the petrol engine clutch locks the petrol motor to the driven wheels but presumably the electric motor can add further torque. There’s an excellent explanation of the drive system by Weberauto on KZbin. Also a fascinating explanation of the Toyota Rav4 system for comparison.

[@superfloyd1]

Your on the wrong side dude!

[@AutoBears]

of the road, the car or the Atlantic?

[@superfloyd1]

@@AutoBears maybe all three😆😆😆

[@webbswonderful]

YOU'RE

[@thejake8099]

Haters..🤦‍♂️

[@superfloyd1]

@@thejake8099 hey just humor here!

[@TazBo-wd2ig]

Getting the BMW X1 Msport instead CRV is still a bit to much of a dad car

[@pa1oalto]

A bit obsolete design, other than this, a pretty descent vehicle.

[@AutoBears]

Thank you for the comment. I understand what you mean but the CR-V is still quite a handsome SUV.

[@pa1oalto]

@@AutoBears Hope you'll do the Ford Puma too!

[@Fourwedge]

Rav 4 is uglier then sin. Kinda digging the CR-V

[@TR4zest]

I find the RAV4 has a very 'Angry Birds' look. I do not like it.

[@colinlambert791]

The RAV4 is SOOOO FUGLY. I wouldn't have one as a present. Talking of fugly, have you seen the new Kia Sportage? even WORSE!! Are these car designers BLIND? Or simply totally devoid of taste?