Honda is hopeful that the new CR-V Hybrid will not
only successfully fill the void of the diesel-powered version in Europe, but
will account for half of the projected 60,000 annual sales as well. The new CR-V Hybrid marks the return
of Honda to the technology for the region, and is the company’s first hybrid
since the 2015 Jazz Hybrid to be offered in the Old Continent.
The new CR-V Hybrid is expected to have a similar
price to the discontinued diesel model. The self-charging hybrid powertrain
combines a 2.0-liter petrol engine with Honda’s Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD)
system.
It also features an innovative single fixed-gear
transmission, instead of the CVT usually found in other hybrid SUVs like the
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The powertrain’s maximum combined output is rated at 181 hp and 315 Nm of torque.
Honda’s hybrid SUV offers three driving modes: EV
Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. EV Drive powers the CR-V on electric
power alone but only for really short distances (around 2 km)
because of the small lithium-ion battery pack. It does, however, return up to
53.3 mpg UK (5.3lt/100km) combined, while CO2 emissions are rated at 120g/km
for the FWD version and at 126g/km for the AWD.
Honda will start selling the 2019 CR-V Hybrid in
Europe from March, alongside the already launched 1.5-liter turbocharged model.
