Honda had missed the target by introducing the CR-V hybrid engine on our market for the 2023 model year. During my first contact with the vehicle, I had considered it technically outdated and, above all, sold far too much compared to its main competitors, namely the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Ford Escape hybrid or, again, the twin Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage hybrids.
One of the reasons why the hybrid powertrain was so expensive for the CR-V was because consumers only had access to it on the Touring version, the one that caps the range at a price of $51,890. including all costs. However, Honda seems to want to correct things for 2024, because it has just introduced the hybrid in a more affordable version, the EX-L.
Really cheaper?
Indeed, on the Honda Canada site, it is now possible to configure a CR-V hybrid EX-L from a starting price of $48,390, or $3,500 less than a Touring. In addition to the absence of a few elements such as automatic windshield wipers, a Bose audio system with 12 speakers and 19-inch black wheels exclusive to the Touring, the CR-V EX-L still arrives very well equipped. It includes, among other things, front and rear heated seats, two additional USB connections in the rear seats, perforated leather seats and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connections, in particular.
This is therefore good news for consumers who want to buy a hybrid CR-V without necessarily having to break their wallet. However, in reality, the EX-L version is not much more affordable. On the Honda Canada site, we can read that, on a 60 month lease at an interest rate of 7.59%, there is only a difference of $11.29 on the weekly payment.
Then there’s the fact that, for just over $5,000 less, consumers can upgrade to a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE that offers a similar level of equipment. The situation is all the more alarming when you consider that the most equipped version of the RAV4 Hybrid, the Limited AWD, costs about the same price as a CR-V Hybrid EX-L ($48,794 or $161.49 per week on a 60 month lease at 7.99% interest.)
Conclusion
It’s good to see Honda align itself better with the realities of Canadian consumers. Understandably, the automaker was hit hard by parts supply issues and sudden inflation, which forced it to quickly raise the price of its models, but there are limits to taking consumers to suitcases.
It’s all the more shocking when you see that, in terms of fuel efficiency and GHG emissions, the hybrid CR-V lags behind its main competitor, even if it is sold at a higher price.
Although I appreciated the general quality of the product during my test and this engine has proven itself in terms of reliability in other brand products, the combined consumption of 6.4 litres/100 kilometers announced Natural Resources Canada (8.7 litres/100 kilometers during my test) remains higher than that of a hybrid RAV4 (6 litres/100 kilometers), not to mention higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, i.e. 151 grams of CO2 per kilometer against 141 for the Toyota.
