First Look: Honda CR-V Finally Goes Green with Hybrid Model Arriving in 2020

Expect more torque and quicker off-the-line performance.

Los Angeles, CA – The new electrified CR-V is Honda’s first hybrid-powered SUV in North America, joining its refreshed 2020 gas-engine sibling while beating it down at the pump offering a 50-percent higher city fuel economy rating, according to Honda. Making its official debut at the 2019 LA Auto Show and being produced out of the company’s Greensburg, Indiana plant, expect the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid to hit dealerships sometime in spring 2020; stay tuned for official pricing closer to the release date (here’s full pricing on the non-hybrid 2020 CR-V).

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid rear profile
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid. Photo: Amee Reehal

The popular little family hauler has been going strong in North America since 1995 — one of the original compact sport utilities currently in its fourth-generation since 2017. This PHEV version benefits from new CR-V updates including a spruced up exterior design, new cabin features, and standard Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology previously only found standard on CR-V EX and above trims. Aside from better fuel economy, expect the hybrid model to offer more torque and quicker off-the-line performance with a 1.5L turbocharged engine paired to the two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain when it arrives early 2020.

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Images and Specs

CategorySpecification
Engine2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine
Electric MotorAC Synchronous Permanent-Magnet Motor
Combined System Horsepower212 hp
TransmissionElectronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT)
All-Wheel DriveStandard (Honda Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System)
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)40/35/38 MPG (U.S. EPA estimates)
Seating Capacity5
Cargo Volume (Behind 1st/2nd Row)68.7 cu ft / 33.2 cu ft
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Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.