Skip to main content

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid offers 38 mpg combined for $28,870

Honda’s bestselling model is going hybrid. Announced in 2019, the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is hitting dealerships with a gas mileage rating of 38 mpg combined and a base price of $28,870.

That base price buys a base LX model. The CR-V Hybrid is also available in EX ($31,380), EX-L ($33,870), and Touring ($37,070) trim levels. All trim levels get standard all-wheel drive and a host of driver aids, including: Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. However, you have to upgrade to the EX to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The CR-V Hybrid LX carries a $2,320 premium over a non-hybrid all-wheel-drive CR-V (non-hybrid models get front-wheel drive standard). The gap shrinks to $1,225 for the EX, EX-L, and Touring models.

The main reason to buy a hybrid is fuel economy, and in that area the CR-V Hybrid falls a bit short of the competition. The Honda’s 38 mpg combined (35 mpg city, 40 mpg highway) can’t quite match the 40 mpg combined (41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The CR-V does beat the all-wheel-drive Ford Escape Hybrid’s highway fuel economy rating of 37 mpg, but the Ford surpasses it in the other two categories. The Escape Hybrid is also available with front-wheel drive, achieving 41 mpg combined.

The CR-V Hybrid’s powertrain is based on the one used in the Accord Hybrid, but adapted for all-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine works with two electric motors in an arrangement that eliminates the conventional transmission. When extra traction isn’t needed, the rear wheels are uncoupled from the powertrain to save fuel.

Total system output is 212 horsepower. That’s more than you get in a non-hybrid CR-V or Ford Escape Hybrid, but slightly less than the 219 hp of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The Escape and RAV4 will soon be available with plug-in hybrid powertrains as well, allowing drivers to go a greater distance on electric power alone to save even more fuel. Honda hasn’t discussed plans for a CR-V plug-in hybrid, but such a vehicle would be a logical competitor to the Ford and Toyota, as well as a more attractive option than the tepid Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Honda extends the warranty of select CR-Vs, Civics after finding problem
2019 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe

The turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in Honda's CR-V and Civic models, two of America's best-selling cars, has a fuel leakage problem, according to industry watchdog Consumer Reports. The Japanese automaker has quietly extended the powertrain warranty of over one million cars to reassure owners that they won't need to cover an expensive repair bill if they encounter a mechanical problem.

The issue is seemingly limited to CR-Vs made during the 2017 and 2018 model years, and Civics manufactured between the 2016 and 2018 model years. Consumer Reports published a memo Honda sent to its American dealers that blames the problem on software settings or hardware failures, without providing additional information. Owners of affected cars will be able to tell that they have a problem right away; the defect causes cars to misfire, lose power, and run more loudly than usual. It might trigger a check engine light, and some owners have even complained that their car stalled, which can lead to a hazardous situation. The last thing you want is your car turning off when you're turning left across a busy road.

Read more
Honda recalls 119,000 2019 CR-V crossovers over fears of airbag deployment
honda cr v airbag recall 2019

A manufacturing defect in select 2019 Honda CR-V crossovers may cause the airbag to malfunction and unexpectedly deploy, leading the automaker to recall 118,598 vehicles in the U.S., the carmaker says. The issue affects vehicles manufactured between October 3, 2018, and April 1, 2019, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Honda says that every CR-V manufactured during this time carries the defect, which involves burrs in the inside of the CR-V's metal steering wheel. These burrs can cause damage to the sub-harness that runs inside the steering wheel, potentially causing a short circuit. If this occurs, the steering wheel controls and horn may stop working or the horn may sound unexpected, the airbag warning light may come on, or it may deploy without warning.

Read more
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more