We all know that saying “better late than never.” It holds true with many things: life goals, fortunes, hitting my review deadlines, and the 2024 Honda CR-V EX-L Hybrid.
What is so late about this CR-V, you ask? Well, in Canada, Honda has not only trailed its key competitors — mainly the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape — in offering a hybrid version of their popular compact crossover, but also managed to lag behind their own counterparts in the U.S., who have been selling a CR-V with a hybrid powertrain since 2020.
Well, the hybrid powerplant finally arrived last year as part of the debut of the sixth-generation CR-V, but there was another problem. Despite the redesigned CR-V looking good inside and out, Honda locked the hybrid powertrain behind the CR-V’s most expensive trim level, again unlike most of its competitors. That finally changes this year: you no longer have to drop $50,000-plus on a fuel-sipping CR-V.
Over time, the CR-V matured into a sophisticated-looking crossover, and this latest version brought back some of the ruggedness we have not seen in over a decade. While the silhouette remained largely the same, this newest one is a little more squared-off and the CR-V’s overall size is visibly larger. The slim headlights and oversized front grille look trendy, and I love that Honda kept the now-iconic vertical tail light treatment. [It’s a little Volvo-like with the new, squared-off look. Not a bad thing. —Ed.] For the EX-L trim, 18-inch wheels are standard and look properly sized on the CR-V while also offering an additional level of comfort, thanks to the beefier tires compared to the 19s on the top-level Touring.
By combining a 2.0L normally aspirated four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, the CR-V Hybrid manages 204 horsepower all-in. That figure may not look like much, but the CR-V feels rather swift getting off the line thanks to its 247 pound-feet of peak torque arriving instantaneously. The surge does drop off after the midrange, but no one will be upset with how the CR-V Hybrid accelerates around town. I especially like that the gas engine does not feel overly buzzy under load.
No one buying a CR-V Hybrid does so for its handling prowess, but they will enjoy the light and easy steering, and its overall nimbleness for urban driving. Drivers will also enjoy the combined fuel economy rating of 6.4 L/100 kilometres, which is about 2 L/100 km better than the gas-only CR-V with its 1.5L turbo-four. My observed figure came in a little higher at 7.4 L/100 km given the winter weather, and the CR-V Hybrid accepts regular-grade gas for its 53-litre tank.
Practicality is always the main selling point for Honda CR-Vs, and the latest generation has only improved upon that even more. There is an abundance of space for five adults, and the wide opening doors make it a breeze not only to enter and exit, but to wrangle child seats as well. The seats themselves are fairly comfortable with power adjustability for both front chairs, and all four outbound seats are heated on the EX-L trim. The CR-V Hybrid does have a bit less space than the gas-only models to accommodate for the 1.4 kWh battery below the cargo floor, but at 1,028 L with the seats up, it is still very usable.
Interior has been vastly improved in the new generation; the design is clean and crisp, the physical shortcut keys and climate control unit are much appreciated seeing the current trend of touchscreen integration, and we particularly love the use of the metal vent design that spans across the dashboard to give it a more upscale appearance. Infotainment is fairly easy to use with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and there are four USB ports as well as a wireless charging tray to keep everyone’s device going.
In terms of driver assists, the EX-L is fairly well-equipped with features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and lane-keep assist standard. The gas-only EX-L starts at $44,275, and the hybrid powertrain adds $2,500, bringing the as-tested total to $46,775. The RAV4 Hybrid may be a better value considering you can get the hybrid across all trims, but the CR-V Hybrid feels more refined and the extra grunt can be invaluable for those with long-distance commutes or avid road-trippers. Plus, given that the hybrid was previously exclusive to the top-trim Touring, the EX-L represents an appreciable savings.
The 2024 Honda CR-V EX-L Hybrid is making up for lost time by bringing out the bells and whistles, mixing them with unbeatable utility, expansive features, and above-average fuel efficiency. Despite the higher sticker price compared to a RAV4 Hybrid, it’s still a good buy, and we think this EX-L Hybrid trim will become the volume seller in no time.
