Whether that performance leads to improved driving emotions is a story for another day, but in regular cars the improvements often result in a vehicle that is better and more engaging to drive. That is the case here with the hybrid SUV. The hybrid version is undeniably the better car to drive, while also being efficient and practical enough to be one of America’s outright best-selling nameplates.
This Honda hybrid SUV does a lot right
To be fair, most hybrid SUVs on sale today get a lot right. Which of them is right for you will be very subjective and whether or not you prefer certain aspects of a vehicle. In our case, the hybrid SUV that undeniably does many things well is the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid.
A dose of sportsmanship
The excellence of the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid starts with the e:HEV hybrid system. e:HEV, like Toyota’s, is a series-parallel hybrid, meaning the engine can act as a generator or drive the wheels. However, Honda’s version gets even crazier. You see, even though Honda uses an “e-CVT,” it’s just called that for simplicity’s sake. At low speeds or low power, the engine only charges the battery at most. Only during high speeds or high power demands does the e:HEV system use one of two lock-up clutches to connect the engine to the wheels.
As a result, the pure electric drive at low speed makes it feel very responsive and smooth. At high speeds, the motor connected to the drivetrain is linked to what Honda calls Linear Shift Control. Basically, this feature adds simulated gear changes to the powertrain, reducing the engine buzz that sometimes spoils the hybrid driving experience. All these measures ensure that the Honda e:HEV system is responsive, smooth and with a dose of sportiness.
Fuel efficiency is taken into account
And yet, as a well-designed hybrid system, the e:HEV hybrid system also makes the CR-V Hybrid extremely efficient. Opt for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and you’ll get a combined fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. This gives it a slight advantage over the RAV4 Hybrid, whose standard electronic all-wheel drive (AWD) means the combined MPG figure is 39 MPG. Comparing apples to apples, however, the CR-V Hybrid AWD’s 37 MPG combined economy rating is slightly less than the RAV4 Hybrid, as Honda favors a mechanical AWD setup over Toyota’s electronic system.
Owning a CR-V hybrid
Now that we’ve explained how the hybrid system works in the CR-V Hybrid, here’s what you need to know about how this car drives and handles.
Balanced, thoughtful drive
From the moment you start the car, you’ll immediately notice the smoothness. From the predominantly electric drive to the responsiveness of the powertrain, there’s a different kind of finesse here with Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system. Even the driving behavior is well-tuned, balancing comfort and a certain degree of sportiness.
Honda always does well in terms of ride quality, with the long-travel suspension keeping the CR-V from bottoming out. There’s also just enough firmness to maintain a stable body, even in highway undulations, while promoting balance in handling.
Speaking of which, the CR-V Hybrid’s steering is also sharp. The fast ratio gives an impression of agility and precision. While it doesn’t offer the most road feel, it’s still one of the sharpest in the segment. Where the Honda CR-V Hybrid reveals some of its shortcomings is in its suppression of road noise. While not noisy and chaotic by any means, at least relative to its segment, the CR-V series seems to have the least sound insulation overall.
Practical and functional at heart
Now, for the boring stuff: usability and functionality. Design-wise, the CR-V won’t win any style awards, but it does get a relatively handsome but simple design inside and out. For 2026, Honda has added the new TrailSport variant, and while it looks tougher and more rugged, the only upgrade it gets that actually adds improved off-road capabilities is a set of all-terrain tires. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid also gets more standard equipment, as a 9-inch infotainment system is now offered as standard. All sports hybrids, except the base version, also get a larger 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a power tailgate, while premium features spread across the higher variants include:
A Bose sound system
Google built-in
Heated steering wheel
Hands-free tailgate
19 inch gloss black wheels
In terms of space itself, the CR-V offers plenty of storage space around the cabin, while the overall interior feel exudes a rugged feel without feeling overly utilitarian. There’s a fair amount of soft-touch materials and satin silver finishes to ensure everything feels premium. The upright design also ensures the CR-V offers plenty of interior space, although one limitation of opting for the hybrid model is the removal of the spare wheel. That’s because the CR-V Hybrid’s battery pack eats up the underfloor storage space.
The upcoming 2026 RAV4 hybrid is worth mentioning
But if you’re looking for a hybrid SUV that does almost everything well, you might be better off waiting for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Completely redesigned for the next model year, the RAV4 Hybrid takes on a significant polish that’s hard to ignore.
Significant redesign
Although the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid uses the same TNGA-K platform as the outgoing model, it does not remain unchanged. In addition, the new sheet metal gives the RAV4 Hybrid a much sharper and sportier appearance, especially if you look at the plug-in hybrid GR Sport variant. The hybrid system is also (somewhat) new and now uses the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS V), which brings an improved output to 226 hp for FWD or 236 hp with AWD, compared to the 219 hp produced by the older model.
With the significant chassis improvements of the TNGA-K platform, we can expect the new RAV4 Hybrid to offer better handling and ride characteristics. Toyota even promises that the GR Sport variant’s unique suspension and steering tuning will help turn the evergreen RAV4 into a sporty crossover SUV.
Technology first
Another huge improvement over the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is its generous standard features. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is offered as standard, while there is also a choice of a 10.5 or 12.9-inch touchscreen, both of which use the new Arene operating system. In fact, it is the lower versions that get the biggest upgrade in terms of features. Let’s hope the price increase won’t be too dramatic.
Sources: The EPA, JD power
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