The Hybrid-Powered 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Is a Combined Bag on the Street

The driving expertise is a combined bag

We all know this powertrain is extra environment friendly within the metropolis, however sadly, our first drive was nearly totally on the freeway. And straight away, we encountered some unhealthy mannerisms. The primary hill pressured the engine to dig deep, conserving the revs pinned and introducing a less-than-stellar engine notice into the cabin. Any time we had been met with an incline, the engine felt overworked to produce energy.

Issues did not get higher on the descents both. It is nice that Honda consists of variable brake regeneration with the hybrid powertrain, however when the battery is accumulating energy (going downhill, for instance) the whine from the electrical motor is loud — actually loud. We really thought it was the engine kicking again on, however certainly it was the e-motor making its presence identified. A hybrid powertrain is meant to be seamless and quiet. Most of the time, the CR-V Sport Touring was neither of these two issues.

And that is unlucky as a result of the temporary time spent on metropolis streets was a very completely different story. From stoplight to stoplight the automobile was quiet and composed, spending a powerful period of time in electrical mode. Round city, this can be a nice automobile to drive, and the 13 additional miles per gallon (metropolis determine) over the gas-only mannequin is a big acquire.

Edmunds says

The excellent news is that Honda’s best-selling automobile is healthier, with a cushty inside and a extra energetic exterior design. The unhealthy information is that we nonetheless favor the fuel model to the hybrid. Our real-world gasoline financial system testing may be compelling sufficient to change that quickly, however after this hybrid first drive, we do not see sufficient of a change to suggest it.