Used 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

For good reason, Honda’s CR-V is the go-to compact SUV for many consumers. And for 2021, the CR-V Hybrid makes a compelling case for itself as the best of the CR-V line-up.

Over more than two decades, Honda has matured the CR-V into the well-rounded 2-row SUV it represents today. With the arrival of the CR-V Hybrid, Honda reinforces its authority in the popular and highly contested market segment.

We like the refined, competent nature of the CR-V Hybrid. While it aims to save consumers money at the pumps, it does not ask for sacrifices in comfort, convenience, practicality, or driving characteristics. Such a combination is tough to deliver, but Honda has made it happen.

The fuel economy boost is the biggest selling point for the CR-V Hybrid, but it’s not the model’s only advantage.

The hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors to produce a total of 212-horsepower (hp). That extra power (over the non-hybrid CR-V’s 190-horsepower engine), coupled with quick initial acceleration provided by the electric motors, is enough to make the CR-V Hybrid a little more fun to drive.

The Honda hybrid won’t push you back in your seat under full acceleration, but it is not embarrassingly slow, like hybrids from a few years ago. Driven hard, the Honda CR-V Hybrid does become noisy, as the gasoline engine ‘surges’ while the vehicle accelerates. But sound-deadening materials in the CR-V Hybrid cabin mitigate the problem, which is not as bad as it is in vehicles equipped with continuously automatic variable transmissions.

Lighter foot drivers will find the CR-V Hybrid pleasing, especially in city streets where the car’s virtually seamless transitions between electric and gasoline engine assisted propulsion is impressive.

We are also smitten with the smooth and linear feel of the brake pedal in the CR-V Hybrid. Hybrids use braking action to feed energy back into the battery, and uneven brake pedal feel is a common problem in such vehicles.

In the CR-V, drivers can use steering wheel-mounted paddles to adjust the amount of regenerative braking in four steps from mild to strong.

The CR-V does not have the sportiest handling on the compact SUV block. That prize goes to the Mazda CX-5. But for a small hybrid SUV, the Honda CR-V comports itself well through twists and turns, with a welcome combination of agile road manners and comfortable ride.

There’s a lot to like inside the CR-V Hybrid. For a compact SUV, this Honda feels surprisingly upscale, with high-quality trim materials and a comfortable, spacious cabin environment.

The 5-passenger cabin offers the same overall space as the non-hybrid CRV (reviewed separately), and rear-seat occupants will not feel short-changed on legroom or headroom.

The 60/40 split rear seat folds flat, despite the location of the under-floor battery. That’s not the case with some hybrid rivals. On the other hand, cargo space behind the CR-V Hybrid’s 2nd-row seat is compromised, losing 6 cubic feet compared to the non-hybrid version.

The CR-V also excels at providing small storage spaces around the cabin for odds and ends, a welcome attribute in a small utility-oriented vehicle.

We are not fans of the CR-V’s infotainment system, which has fallen well behind the competition in terms of functionality and responsiveness. At least the CR-V Hybrid EX trim comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen in place of the meager 5.0-inch display in the now discontinued Hybrid LX model.

The CR-V Hybrid projects a purposeful visual aesthetic that’s appropriate for a sport utility vehicle. From the side, the vehicle’s styling flows smoothly back to an elegant looking rear design, which counterbalances the CR-V’s tough front-end face.

Chromed exterior trim around the windows and along the bottom of the doors, plus sporty alloy wheels, add an upscale touch to the Honda’s curb appeal.

Unique to the hybrid in the CR-V line-up is the design of the front and rear bumpers, as well as 5-element LED fog lights, blue Honda grille logo, and Hybrid badges on the grille and fenders.

STYLISH CABIN
Honda has not skimped with dressing up the CR-V Hybrid cabin. The interior is roomy, comfortable, practical, and trimmed out with quality materials.

HONDA SENSING SAFETY AIDS
 It’s reassuring to know the CR-V Hybrid provides as standard a comprehensive suite of safety systems, including forward-collision warning, lane departure alert, emergency braking, and more.

The CR-V Hybrid line starts with EX, which comes with 18-inch wheels, a power moonroof, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, 8-way power driver’s seat, remote engine start, and heated front seats.

Stepping up to the Hybrid EX-L trim adds a heated steering wheel, leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, power tailgate, and 4-way power passenger seat.

The range-topping Hybrid Touring trim substitutes 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, a premium 9-speaker audio system, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors. The combined output of the system is 212-horsepower. In most driving situations, power is distributed to the front wheels alone, but at any time or speed, power can be sent to the rear wheels when the system senses the need for more traction.

For example, the rear wheels are engaged when starting from a stop, even on dry pavement. On slippery or snow-covered roads, the AWD system will direct power to the rear wheels before they start to slip, in order to maximize available grip. The system can also tell when the CR-V Hybrid is going uphill and will send more power to the rear.

Inside, the CR-V Hybrid driver can select from three drive modes: Sport, Econ, and EV. Instead of the usual shift lever, the CR-V Hybrid has buttons for engaging drive and park and buttons for the mode selection, all mounted on the center console.

As one would expect, econ mode manages the powertrain for maximum fuel efficiency, while sport mode delivers more aggressive response to throttle pedal inputs. In EV mode, the CR-V Hybrid can go for about a mile under a fully charged battery power alone.

Honda claims the CR-V Hybrid improves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy rating in the city by 48 percent and by 31 percent combined. We think those are somewhat unrealistic numbers, but the CR-V Hybrid is definitely significantly more fuel efficient than the non-hybrid version in real-world use.

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