First Look Review: The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid retains the feel-good factor

The all-new Honda CR-V Hybrid that debuted in July 2022 is a member of the sixth-gen Honda CR-V family, which will include a Honda CR-V Hydrogen FCEV. Prior to that, America’s top-selling crossover has received its first update and become a 2024 model. In this story, I take a close look at Honda’s compact SUV in the base, Sport grade. Here’s what I can tell you about the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid.

Design

I’ve been a fan of the CR-V’s humble looks for years, but with the full redesign in 2022, Honda amped up aggression and boldness while simultaneously strengthening its focus on the Hybrid variant by making it more significant in the trim line-up. The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid carries over the previous model year’s exterior, which I find just as impressive on the roads as here on the stage.

A tall radiator grille with chunky hexagonal mesh inserts, wide lower air intake, high-set hood, and slim headlamps lend the CR-V a striking appearance at the front. Honda has discreetly positioned the windshield wipers, resting them under the hood line. The radar is positioned behind the logo on the grille, and I think these contribute equally to the clean look of the front-end.

Compared to the previous-generation CR-V Hybrid, the new-generation model has a larger greenhouse. The base of the A-pillars lies further back and lower, and the mirrors, mounted below the windows on the doors, have been kept away from these pillars.

After sitting inside, I genuinely feel these revisions offer a radically improved outward visibility. The longer hood (I like how it’s held up by hydraulic struts unlike in the previous-generation model) gives the SUV a more upscale profile. The strong horizontal beltline that starts from the upper corner of the headlamps and stretches all the way to the rear cluster helps it look more confident.

The L-shaped clusters incorporate L-shaped light guides in the lower section. A small but noteworthy improvement here is the repositioning of the registration plate area from the bottom of the tailgate to the top, which I think will keep it cleaner and less prone to catching snow and dirt. Avoiding a chrome tailgate applique is a good move, as it gives the rear end a clean appearance.

Interior

Stepping into the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, I find that it offers an easy ingress, as its doors open to almost 90º. Visually, it has the same appearance as the previous model, which is not a bad thing at all.

The new-generation CR-V Hybrid has a simple interior that aligns with the brand’s new philosophy – “Simplicity and something.” Compared to the previous-generation model, it offers improved forward and rearward visibility, and I find it aesthetically more pleasing.

Honda has used a slimmer dashboard and cleaned up the center console, relocating the infotainment system screen and reducing the number of physical controls. The company has mounted the touchscreen panel atop the dashboard, and I had no trouble with its accessibility.

The center console houses a gearshift lever instead of a button- or dial-type gear selector, which, again, makes old-school customers feel that the 2024 CR-V Hybrid is easy to use. In times when automakers are going overboard with unnecessarily big touchscreens, a passenger display, capacitive buttons, digitally-controlled AC vents, etc., I find myself right at home in this model, which is modern yet familiar and intuitive.

I’m six feet tall, and I feel the legroom in the front adequate and the headroom sufficient. The under-thigh support in this model is more than sufficient. The leather steering wheel offers a good grip.

I find the rear seats also more relaxing, as there’s more legroom, and the seatbacks can be adjusted in not two but eight different recline angles – up to 10.5º. I’m 6 ft. tall, and I’ve comfortably sat behind someone even much taller in this hybrid compact SUV. There’s a little cut out on the roof, above where I sat, which I thought helped the headroom.

There’s 39.3 cu. ft. of cargo room behind the rear seats, enough to carry an adult bike, and it’s possible to achieve up to 76.5 cu. ft. of luggage space by folding the rear seatbacks folded flat. The cargo area can be accessed easily with a power tailgate, which is faster and quieter than that of the previous-generation model.

Driving impressions

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid drives the same as the previous model, as it has no mechanical changes. Its fourth-generation two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain produces the same, 204 horsepower, which allows it to be sufficiently fast, going by early online impressions. At low speeds, the punchy electric motors make the compact SUV feel very powerful, while at highway speeds, when even the gas engine is active, there’s enough power to overtake long vehicles confidently.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid feels quite poised and agile, on a level I’d normally not expect from a hybrid compact SUV, especially one not coming from a luxury brand, and it even soaks up undulations on the roads well. I’d never thought I’d say this, but the new-generation CR-V Hybrid is actually quite fun to drive, and when one wants to relax, it’s pleasant, too. That is, of course, until you put it in Sport mode, where a synthesizer streams loud engine acceleration through the car’s sound system!

Honda has engineered the 2024 CR-V Hybrid to offer impressive fuel efficiency as well, which, as per EPA, is 43 MPG (city)/36 MPG (hwy)/40 MPG (comb.) in two-wheel drive 40 MPG (city)/34 MPG (hwy)/37 MPG (comb.) in all-wheel drive. In my experience, reaching the official ratings requires taking it easy with the gas pedal and sticking mostly to the ECON (economy) drive mode. There’s 1,000 pounds of towing capacity, which is not a lot, but it’s better than nothing, which was the case in the previous-generation model.

Price

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s prices start at USD 34,050 and go up to USD 40,200, excluding a standard USD 1,350 destination charge.

Also Read: 5 minor features on the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid that you probably missed!

TopElectricSUV says

Admittedly, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid isn’t as affordable as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but I think it’s worth the premium for the advantages it offers in space, comfort and convenience, and driving dynamics. If you’re looking for an upscale commuter and are not hellbent on saving every dollar you can, I think it’s the Honda that offers the best bang for the buck.

2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid FAQs