2020 Honda CR-V gets a Hybrid Electric version

America’s best-selling crossover of the past two decades gets a major boost with the introduction of the 2020 Honda CR-V, sporting freshened styling, new features and upgraded powertrains—including a new CR-V Hybrid to be built in the company’s Greensburg, Indiana plant.

The 2020 CR-V Hybrid is the first electrified SUV from the Honda brand in America, joining the Accord Hybrid and Insight as the third electrified Honda manufactured in the US as the company moves to apply its advanced two-motor hybrid-electric system to all of its core US models in the years ahead.

In addition to the new hybrid-electric variant, major upgrades to the 2020 CR-V include bolder front and rear styling, re-designed wheels and standard Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology (previously available only on EX and above trims). The 2020 CR-V Hybrid will go on sale early next year.

Production of the CR-V Hybrid for the US market will take place at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana plant alongside CR-V and the Insight hybrid sedan. The company will invest $4.2 million and add 34 new jobs in the plant to support production of the CR-V Hybrid. Honda's Russells Point, Ohio, plant will manufacture the CR-V Hybrid's two-motor power unit, and the company's Anna, Ohio, engine plant will produce its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine.

“The Honda CR-V is the best-selling CUV over the past two decades and the updates we've made to the 2020 model, including a new hybrid-electric variant, solidify its position as a leader in the compact SUV market,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., Senior Vice President of Automobile Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The CR-V Hybrid also signifies our direction to bring Honda hybrid-electric technology to all core models and to invest in the production of electrified vehicles in America.”

Honda is targeting two-thirds of its global automobile sales to come from electrified vehicles by 2030. In North America, Honda is focusing on the expanded application of its advanced two-motor hybrid-electric technology as the most effective means to meet customer needs while realising significant near-term gains in fuel efficiency and accompanying reductions in CO₂ emissions that contribute to global climate change.

US sales of electrified Honda vehicles are on track for a third consecutive year of growth. For the first eight months of 2019, sales of Accord Hybrid, Insight and Clarity have reached 42,270 combined sales, propelling Honda electrified vehicle sales to year-over-year gains of 67.9%. In 2018, Honda set a new record of 49,914 electrified vehicle sales in the US, which were nearly double 2017 results.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid promises substantially improved fuel efficiency while maintaining CR-V's award-winning balance of interior space, driving dynamics and comfort that has made CR-V such a success with American buyers. The CR-V's advanced two-motor hybrid powertrain, shared with the current Accord Hybrid, combines two electric motors with a 2.0-litre, 16-valve DOHC Atkinson cycle engine with greater than 40% thermal efficiency, the highest for any mass-produced Honda engine.

The CR-V's two-motor system operates without the need for a conventional automatic transmission for smooth and seamless power delivery similar to a pure electric vehicle, and boasts a broad range of electric-only operation. The compact intelligent power unit (IPU), containing the hybrid battery pack and its control systems, is mounted under the cargo floor, allowing the new CR-V Hybrid to retain excellent cargo utility, including a 60/40 split rear seatback with a flat load floor. Peak total system horsepower is 212, up from 190 HP on the CR-V, along with an anticipated 50% increase in the EPA city fuel economy rating compared to the CR-V.

The CR-V Hybrid also marks the first application of all-wheel drive to Honda's two-motor hybrid system in the US. When available traction is low, an electronic clutch activates, sending the appropriate level of power from the electric motor to the rear wheels.

Exterior styling updates to the 2020 Honda CR-V result in a more upscale and rugged appearance. In front, broad openings for the fog lights are fully integrated into the bumper, giving the 2020 CR-V a more aggressive look, while the chrome grille is more pronounced. CR-V Hybrid EX, EX-L and Touring trims get distinctive bar-type fog lights with five LEDs.

CR-V Hybrid models will also get hybrid badging and a distinctive blue Honda logo in the centre of the grille. In the rear, all CR-V trims feature sophisticated new dark-tinted taillights and a new dark chrome treatment for the garnish below the rear glass, better integrated with the more darkly tinted rear window. In addition to hybrid badges on the hatch, CR-V Hybrid Touring trims receive a unique rear bumper. CR-V Hybrid also has a hidden tailpipe. All CR-V EX and EX-L trims, including Hybrid, get newly designed 18-inch wheels with a dark gray and machined finish, and Touring trims get a new, larger 19-inch wheel and tyre.

Inside, the new CR-V Hybrid is distinguished from non-hybrid models through its unique interior trim. Most apparent is the new push-button gear selector flanked by three switches for Econ, Sport or EV mode. Econ mode alters throttle inputs to help drivers maximise fuel efficiency, while Sport enhances throttle response for a more aggressive feel, with the engine sound enhanced by Active Sound Control for a sportier note. EV Mode allows the CR-V Hybrid to operate under electric-only power when the hybrid battery has a sufficient charge.

The instrument panel also is unique to CR-V Hybrid models, and features a display for power/charge status, as well as a driver-selectable display for power distribution and regeneration. CR-V Hybrid models also receive deceleration selector paddles on the steering wheel. By clicking the left paddle, drivers can increase the amount of regenerative braking from the hybrid system's electric motor when decelerating.

With the 2020 model year, all Honda CR-Vs now come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional driver-assistive technologies include the available blind spot information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam headlights.

CR-V Hybrid models benefit from a new Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) designed to increase awareness by pedestrians when travelling under electric-only power. A speaker mounted in the front bumper generates a distinct audible alert that varies in volume depending on vehicle speed and is easily noticeable to pedestrians, but nearly inaudible to the driver or passengers under most circumstances.

The 2020 Honda CR-V also incorporates Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, helping CR-V achieve the highest possible collision safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and targeting a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintain the same agile and confident handling, greater refinement, additional ground clearance and superior overall versatility versus its competition. Its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension use specially tuned low-friction dampers, with both FWD and AWD models including tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars that promote responsive turn-in and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V's direct and satisfying steering feel. For CR-V Hybrid, an electronic servo brake pedal maintains a firm and linear brake feel like its non-hybrid sibling.