First Drive: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Boosts Fuel Economy With Electrification

It's a new option in the growing world of hybrid SUVs

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Wesley Allison

The CR-V is among the most popular compact SUVs available, and that’s understandable. It’s roomy, has an impressive assortment of advanced safety features that come standard, gets good fuel economy, and fits five adults comfortably.

For 2020, Honda has expanded the CR-V lineup by adding a hybrid, the first electrified version of this SUV. It joins the new Ford Escape Hybrid as another challenger to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which is now in its second generation.

Ford returned to the small hybrid SUV category this year with the 2020 Escape Hybrid. That automaker offered hybrid versions of the Escape from 2005 to 2007, and again from 2008 through 2012.

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We purchased our own CR-V Hybrid, an EX trim with all-wheel drive. We’re currently putting it through our required 2,000 break-in miles before we conduct more than 50 tests at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, including those that evaluate acceleration, braking, fuel economy, handling, car-seat fit, and controls. CR members will get access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.

If you're not a CR member, you can get our full assessment of the new CR-V Hybrid by clicking below to join, which also gives you full access to exclusive ratings on all the products we evaluate.

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What we bought: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX
Powertrain: 212-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor; continuously variable transmission; all-wheel drive
MSRP: $30,260
Destination fee: $1,120
Total cost: $31,380

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