The Hybrid-Powered 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Is a Mixed Bag on the Road

The driving experience is a combined bag

We know this powertrain is more economical in the metropolis, but regrettably, our 1st drive was pretty much fully on the highway. And ideal absent, we encountered some negative mannerisms. The very first hill pressured the motor to dig deep, keeping the revs pinned and introducing a considerably less-than-stellar motor observe into the cabin. Any time we have been fulfilled with an incline, the motor felt overworked to source power.

Factors didn’t get greater on the descents possibly. It is great that Honda contains variable brake regeneration with the hybrid powertrain, but when the battery is gathering power (likely downhill, for example) the whine from the electric powered motor is loud — definitely loud. We actually imagined it was the engine kicking again on, but in fact it was the e-motor building its presence recognized. A hybrid powertrain is meant to be seamless and silent. Far more normally than not, the CR-V Sport Touring was neither of people two issues.

And that’s unlucky for the reason that the quick time used on metropolis streets was a entirely various story. From stoplight to stoplight the automobile was peaceful and composed, shelling out an spectacular amount of money of time in electric powered manner. All over town, this is a excellent vehicle to push, and the 13 further miles for each gallon (metropolis figure) around the gasoline-only model is a massive get.

Edmunds suggests

The great news is that Honda’s finest-offering motor vehicle is superior, with a relaxed interior and a far more lively exterior design. The bad information is that we still like the gasoline model to the hybrid. Our authentic-environment gas economy screening may be persuasive ample to modify that before long, but right after this hybrid to start with generate, we will not see more than enough of a transform to propose it.