Honda Hybrid CRV - EX trim

[Anonymous]

I am looking hard at this vehicle and am about to pull the trigger on a 2021, but wanted to get DCUM's wisdom/recent experiences with the car.

Pros for me are: CRV is vastly more comfortable than the RAV 4 & Rogue. The RAV 4 seats are a deal breaker, even though I have more faith in Toyota's hybrid system. CRV cabin seems quieter and the ride a bit smoother. CRV feels roomier. Acceleration is adequate. Not planning to tow anything.

Cons are no spare tire (WTF?) and clumsy/dated audio screen. Looks like the battery takes up the space where a spare would go.

I've not driven the Forester, but I have concerns about Subaru's recent reliability issues. I've not test driven the Mazda, American or Korean entries in this space either.

Appreciate any observations/advice, including no-B.S. dealers in NoVa or MD beltway.

[Anonymous]

Has Honda figured out their CVT issues? That's what pushed us toward the RAV4. I'd take look at Mazda CX5 too.

[Anonymous]

I have had several Accords, including a hybrid. For me, the EX-L trim has always been the sweet spot on Hondas. If you like cloth seats, the EX is totally fine. The hybrid system on my current Accord is still churning out 40+ MPG combined after 5 years and I drive it hard without eco mode.

I don't know that there's such a thing as a no-BS car dealer, but Honda of Chantilly is certainly a good low-BS dealer to contact.

[Anonymous]

To PP - Any Honda CVT issues are irrelevant, because the CR-V Hybrid does not have a transmission. Their conventionally powered CR-Vs do use CVTs, and I haven't heard of any issues with those.

To OP - I'm a deeply loyal Honda owner, and I now have the 2020 CR-V Hybrid EX-L. I really like it. My understanding is it's the same hybrid system that the Accord has been using for several years.

You're correct that the battery is in the spot where the spare would be (although my last CR-V had it mounted on the tailgate, to give you an idea for how long I keep Hondas). I've never used a spare in my life.

I don't think the info screen is clumsy at all. I agree that it's smaller than the competition, however, I think that's partly because it offers a lot of your high-use functions on buttons and knobs, whereas the other cars might have bigger screens, but that could mean that every time you want to change something on the climate control, you've got to bring up that on-screen menu. With the Honda design, it's an easier physical button or knob. Just my thoughts on it. The screen and interface work great with Apple CarPlay.

I'll check back for any questions you have. IMO, the price premium for the hybrid is pretty small now, so I think choosing it is a no-brainer.

[Anonymous]

We're also considering a Hybrid CRV or a Rav-4 Hybrid and I'm having a really tough time deciding between the two! Any other insights people have to share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To PP - Any Honda CVT issues are irrelevant, because the CR-V Hybrid does not have a transmission. Their conventionally powered CR-Vs do use CVTs, and I haven't heard of any issues with those.

To OP - I'm a deeply loyal Honda owner, and I now have the 2020 CR-V Hybrid EX-L. I really like it. My understanding is it's the same hybrid system that the Accord has been using for several years.

You're correct that the battery is in the spot where the spare would be (although my last CR-V had it mounted on the tailgate, to give you an idea for how long I keep Hondas). I've never used a spare in my life.

I don't think the info screen is clumsy at all. I agree that it's smaller than the competition, however, I think that's partly because it offers a lot of your high-use functions on buttons and knobs, whereas the other cars might have bigger screens, but that could mean that every time you want to change something on the climate control, you've got to bring up that on-screen menu. With the Honda design, it's an easier physical button or knob. Just my thoughts on it. The screen and interface work great with Apple CarPlay.

I'll check back for any questions you have. IMO, the price premium for the hybrid is pretty small now, so I think choosing it is a no-brainer.

Um, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're also considering a Hybrid CRV or a Rav-4 Hybrid and I'm having a really tough time deciding between the two! Any other insights people have to share?

Toyota is ranked ahead of Honda (with the Highlander ahead of the RAV) here: https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/hybrid-suvs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To PP - Any Honda CVT issues are irrelevant, because the CR-V Hybrid does not have a transmission. Their conventionally powered CR-Vs do use CVTs, and I haven't heard of any issues with those.

To OP - I'm a deeply loyal Honda owner, and I now have the 2020 CR-V Hybrid EX-L. I really like it. My understanding is it's the same hybrid system that the Accord has been using for several years.

You're correct that the battery is in the spot where the spare would be (although my last CR-V had it mounted on the tailgate, to give you an idea for how long I keep Hondas). I've never used a spare in my life.

I don't think the info screen is clumsy at all. I agree that it's smaller than the competition, however, I think that's partly because it offers a lot of your high-use functions on buttons and knobs, whereas the other cars might have bigger screens, but that could mean that every time you want to change something on the climate control, you've got to bring up that on-screen menu. With the Honda design, it's an easier physical button or knob. Just my thoughts on it. The screen and interface work great with Apple CarPlay.

I'll check back for any questions you have. IMO, the price premium for the hybrid is pretty small now, so I think choosing it is a no-brainer.

You need to stop giving any sort of advice about cars.