One of the automotive industry’s worst-kept secrets is that the 2028 Honda CR-V will be offered only with a hybrid powertrain.
Honda has been pursuing hybridization as a way forward when it comes to electrification, especially after plans to build EV models fell through. Toyota, Honda’s biggest rival, has made its popular Camry and RAV4 models hybrid only.
The next CR-V, which will be the seventh generation and mark the compact crossover’s 30th anniversary, will have a two-motor hybrid setup.
"With a 100% hybrid powertrain, the next-generation Honda CR-V will further expand the appeal of America's most popular SUV as demand for hybrid-electric vehicles reaches record levels," said Luis Guerra, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales, in a press release.
Cutting through the corpo-speak in the press release, it appears Honda’s fifth-generation two-motor hybrid system will be more efficient — Honda says its aiming for a goal of 10 percent more efficiency. A new electronic all-wheel-drive system will be part of the package.
It’s not just about the hybrid. The CR-V will ride on an all-new modular platform that will make it easier to share parts from model to model. The platform will, according to Honda, be more rigid but also lighter weight, which in theory would make it more fun to drive. Honda doesn’t say, but having a modular platform can make it easier for more than one model to make use of said platform — and it appears the Element will be returning on the CR-V platform.
The next CR-V will be built in Ohio, Indiana, and Canada.
Tim’s Take
Honda’s EV retreat was a little disappointing to those of us who’d like to see a greener market overall (I am neither an EV advocate or hater, but I generally like the advancement of smog-free vehicles), but hybridization seems like a good bridge until such time that better charging, longer ranges, and lower sticker prices make EVs more attractive to consumers. Range anxiety is still a thing. Hybrids are easier for customers used to internal-combustion engines to adapt to — they don’t require any changes in how one operates the vehicle and they don’t require plugging in. They get better fuel economy.
So it makes sense that Honda would take this approach with most of its vehicles, and outside of purely sporty vehicles like the Honda Civic SI/Type R (and related Acuras) the move away from regular ICE vehicles shouldn’t be upsetting. I do have some minor concerns about a hybrid’s towing abilities in the next Ridgeline truck, but I worry about that less with the CR-V, since I suspect relatively few CR-V owners are towing anything heavier than a Jetski or ATV.
As long as the next CR-V looks good inside and out and retains the sportiness that tends to exist throughout the Honda brand — even the Odyssey minivan is kinda sporty — it should sell just fine.
[Image: Honda]
