When it comes to buying a vehicle, there are a lot of options out there, and even more so when you have models that offer hybrid or electric options, such as the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The latest model year of this popular compact SUV is one of those vehicles that are available as a hybrid, and this gives shoppers plenty of options when it comes to buying based on their driving, economic, and eco-conscious habits. It’s a great way to get the best of all worlds, if that’s what you want.
For those of you undecided about what makes a hybrid CR-V so good or why you should consider one of the hybrid trims, get ready to learn some of the benefits of going that route. While it’s probably obvious why some people might want to stick with a combustion-only configuration, some of the benefits of going hybrid may be lost on potential shoppers. But not today! We’ll break down exactly what the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid models have to offer as a benefit to consumers and why you might consider going that route if you’re considering going with the CR-V.
#4 – Travel Distance
The main reason most people want to get their hands on a 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is because it has some of the best fuel mileage you can get from a compact SUV. The Hybrid manages up to 40 miles per gallon in the city, which is better than most other vehicles out there, including sedans. You get some very impressive highway mileage as well, at 35 miles to the gallon.
The 14-gallon tank for the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid should net you an estimated range of over 500 miles in daily driving – further if you spend most of your time in stop-and-go city traffic. Those are great numbers if you can hit those figures on a full tank. No matter how you look at it, the CR-V Hybrid earns some really high marks both in estimated and tested ranges.
This has been a focused aim of Honda when it comes to the compact SUV, and it works really well for consumers looking for a vehicle that’s designed around getting a lot of range out of city travel. As far as an SUV that nets you a lot of travel distance on a single tank of gas, there’s really no going wrong with the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid. It makes for a great vehicle for anyone who does a lot of urban or highway driving and needs something with enough room and functionality to accommodate their lifestyle.
#3 – Fewer Trips To Gas Pumps
In connection with the fuel economy, another big benefit of the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is that given the efficiency of the powertrain, it means you get more range on a single tank of gas, which in turn means fewer trips to the pump. Unlike some other hybrids out there, the Honda CR-V isn’t a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). What this means is that not only do you not have to venture frequently to the gas pump, but you don’t have to expend time keeping the CR-V Hybrid charged.
The way it works is that the CR-V Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 143 horsepower at 129 pound-feet of torque that’s combined with a permanent-magnet electric motor that delivers 181 horsepower and up to 232 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. A second electric motor is connected directly to the gas engine and works to keep the battery pack charged. In addition to the second motor helping charge the batter, the battery pack also maintains its charge thanks to regenerative braking.
Regenerative braking transforms the kinetic energy from braking into electric charge for the battery pack. By simply driving in stop-and-go traffic reduces fuel consumption and allows for the CR-V to maintain charge of its battery to operate the electric motor. The fine balance between electric and combustion power reduces the need to rely as much on fuel consumption. In turn, depending on how you drive with the CR-V Hybrid means that you can avoid visiting the pump as often as with other vehicles. And that’s a huge benefit to consumers being able to limit trips to the gas pump.
#2 – Highly Reliable
Reliability is one of the biggest concerns a lot of people have when it comes to considering a hybrid vehicle. In Honda’s case with the CR-V, there’s not only the reluctance due to the electric motors and 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powering a compact SUV, but there’s also the fact that it runs on an electronic continuously variable transmission, also known as an eCVT. Many CVTs don’t have the most beloved outlook from enthusiasts and potential shoppers, and that’s mostly due to not having traditional transmission parts and operation, so working on them is not the same as standard gear-based transmissions.
However, even with an eCVT and a hybrid motor setup, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is known for being a very reliable vehicle. In fact, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid was given the stamp of approval from critics for being highly reliable with very few expenses on upkeep and service. After over 30,000 miles, only $306 was spent on service during Car and Driver’s long-term test, with no unscheduled maintenance being required.
Even if there are those who have complained about not wanting vehicles with CVTs in them, the Honda CR-V Hybrid has proven to be quite the exception. Honda CR-Vs also hold their value and are considered some of the most reliable SUVs on the market. In fact, Repair Pal has ranked the Honda CR-V with a 4.5-star rating in terms of reliability and annual cost efficiency. It’s considered one of the most reliable vehicles in its segment and is actually ranked in 2nd place out of 26 other vehicles within the segment.
#1 – Quiet Ride
One of the recurring comments of praise that the Honda CR-V Hybrid has received over the years is that it’s a very quiet-riding SUV. This is one of the areas where you may not think much of it, but unlike a sports car, a muscle car, or a pickup truck, where the aim is to indulge oneself in the grumbling noise of a powerful engine, most people buy SUVs for the opposite reason. Most people who have kids or have to travel with multiple passengers would probably prefer a quiet, comfortable ride to their destination. With the Honda CR-V Hybrid, you get just that.
The combination of the engine having its work shared with an electric motor is one factor. But combined with the cabin insulation to reduce sound from the outside, rattle, vibrations, and noise from the engine bay are all kept to a minimum. The noise-canceling technology has been one of the highlights that reviewers have consistently pointed out about the Honda CR-V Hybrid.
In combination with the fuel-saving features, the limited trips to the gas pump, and the reliability, having a quiet and comfortable ride makes the 2022 Honda CR-V a choice compact SUV among potential shoppers. If you have to drive through noisy areas or deal with little kids in the backseat, having a quiet trip from one destination to the next can help make traveling much more tolerable. A quiet ride may not be at the top of everyone’s list from a compact SUV, but there are certain SUV shoppers who will more than appreciate the feature.
