Excellent job in this video! You covered many things, like you said that other journalist do not cover. It was also very refreshing to hear your opinions from an actual owner of the Honda CRV.
Great review - heat pumps are not used because they don’t work very well below about minus 20 degrees. Being the biggest selling SUV in its class on Canada, ‘heat’ becomes an important factor, hence the regular engine block/radiator system. This also minimizes emissions in colder climates. As far as the inductive phone charging, cases get in the way, and separate the two coils, further than necessary, creating heat. Using the regenerative braking via the steering wheel paddle, you get more efficiency that the reduced amount of regen braking if you don’t use the paddles. Set your drive mode selector in B and you can dictate, and set the amount of regen braking without having to use the paddle. Then home link mirror is only available in the top trim. There’s no wiring in place for it in the lower trims. I wished you’d take the time to point out little features missing from a lot of other brands. For example, if your wipers are set to automatic (or on) and you are parking or shift into reverse, the rear wiper automatically comes on. There’s also the rear camera washer, so you’ve no more x uses for a dirty camera lens making things hard to see. Auto high beams also work well in this model. The 6th gen CRV uses a different form of AWD, where the system is always sending some torque to the rear wheels (This was not the case in the 5th gen and earlier models, where you only got drive when there was front wheel slippage). This means you also benefit from AWD even when in reverse in the 6th gen. There are, however, some differences between the Canadian model and the one for the US. Again, for example, the washer fluid tank on the US model is small at only about 1.6 litres where the Canadian model hold nearly 4.6 litres. I could go on and on, but will leave it too you to make other video covering these things. Again thank for making this ‘real’ review.
Thank you for the feedback and insights! I would be curious of all the differences between the Canadian and US versions. The Sport L is an interesting model, where it has about 75% of the Sport Touring features, but not all (no heated steering wheel, no automatic wipers, no wave your foot to open the lift gate, no built in navigation). I don't believe any US models have the rear camera washer, sadly. I am wondering if anything is missing on the Canadian model vs the US or if it just costs a little more to cover the few add-ons.
Thank you so much, excellent information that I have not heard anywhere else. I've often wondered about the differences in Canadian and American models of the same vehicle.
My CR-V Sport Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear washer for the camera. Only found on Touring models. Also the safety system on the new Honda’s are worse than previous models. My car always thinks someone is in front when they are beside or got off the interstate. The car then proceeds to hard brake or lightly brake depending on how it has read the car that’s beside or going on the off ramp. I’ve been disappointed with the CR-V mainly because of price not matching equipment offerings and the poor infotainment center that’s been messsing up so often I find myself hard rebooting the system 3-4 times a month. I get bad USB almost everyday when I get in the car to use wired CarPlay or Android and the Bluetooth technology Honda uses in the new CR-V is so old and outdated it’s not worth trying to connect my device to it that way because it doesn’t work or has such a lag in the connection. Something I haven’t seen before in other cars like Ford and Mazda and Nissan. Honda really said let’s see how much we can rip off our customers and find out how dumb they are. Turns out we’re blinded by the fake reassurance of Honda’s reliability that’s been tanking recently and the resell price that’s also on the down slope.
This was a great review! The location of the catalytic converter was super helpful as well as the door opening 90 degrees! 👍 BEST Review of in depth details 😊
Thank you for your practical review. I learned a bit more about this car that I didn't know before. I have owned my 2024 Sport L since the end of December '23 and like you I am very pleased with it. My only complaints are no spare ( yes I am old school ), the owner's manual could be larger print and better pics ( thank goodness for TH-cam helpful videos.) ****Would you please reply back to me if you know how to dim the dash board lighting (speed odometer and power gauge;etc.)....thank you & Yes, I know how to adjust the lighting on the control display...that's not my issue.
Good review. I learned some things I didn't know before watching your review. My wife literally purchased a 2024 CR-V Hybrid yesterday! I don't have any issues with my iPhone charging on my 2024 Pilot, but I made sure my case was MagSafe compatible. One thing I'm not thrilled with on the CR-V Hybrid is no spare tire! While they give you a can of foam to help with flats, it'll complicate repairs of punctures using a tire plug.
Keep the tire plug repair kit in your car, and a pump. Repair on-site. Slime repair kits work well, I keep small pliers in my kit to help pull out nail. Hope this helps.
Thank you for taking the time out to do this Honest to Goodness review, a real Life review from a User. Your description and explanation of the Guts is great. Despite some excellent reviewers on the InterWeb, I don't think I saw explanations like this !!
I have a 2023 sport touring i picked up in April 2023. It really is such a great suv. I average 39mpg. Your explanation of everything is great and I agree with everything you mentioned.
Thanks. I think it is an incredible car. You might get more gimmicks with a Hyundai or Kia, but a Honda gives you that peace of mind that it is not going to start having annoying issues after 50k miles, warranty or not. It seems very well built and well thought out.
Got my ‘24 CR-V Sport L last April. Been driving for almost 60 years and so far I would say this is the best car I’ve ever owned. Had a ‘19 RAD4 I traded in and the Sport L is MUCH quieter and has just as much power. Do agree about the iPhone recharger pad. It recharges VERY slowly.
I really like the kick switch on the tailgate. When I bought the car, I thought this was just fluff, but it really comes in handy when you come out to the car with your hands full--e.g. the grocery store or with a toolbox in one hand and a wrench in the other.
I have a 2025 Hybrid Sport L, average 38 mpg. But, I live in Seattle with lots of stop & go traffic (omg, the traffic) so it uses the electric motor quite often, gas motor for acceleration (depending on pedal pressure) or for going uphill. It’s all to do with your driving habits & traffic flow.
This was really helpful. I have owned a 2024 crv for 6 months and learned from you many features I knew nothing about. No serpentine belt? I hadn't even noticed. But that's cool. Thank you.
Great review. Done by a consumer, non-journalist, and it was the best, most comprehensive review to date for me. You answered a key question for me. No serpentine belt, which can save $1200-1700 depending on the quality of service. I have AAA and I want a spare tire. If you’ve ever waited for them over an hour and an hour and a half you know what I mean. I won’t buy it without a spare and I’m 67, in good shape and can change a spare. I’m also a two time Honda owner with 17’ Accord EXL V6. Honda should never have gotten rid of the V6 in the Accord. A mild Hybrid would have gotten 40 on the highway . No telling what in the city. I have gotten over 36 on the highway and I do not use Econ.
Thanks! Don't confuse the Serpentine (accessory) belt with the timing belt though. I imagine that is the service that your $1200 figure is coming from, since the serpentine belt should be about $75-200 depending on where you do it. To the best of my knowledge it has a timing chain and not a belt, which is the better option in my opinion. The more likely to leave you stranded at the side of the road is a broken serpentine belt so it is nice it doesn't have one.
what are some good suggestions for spare tire in the honda CRV hybrid. I just realized I dont have one in my new honda! dont want to pay a fortune. dont know where to store it. but dont want to be left stranded on the road
I’m actually curious if its pretty easy to change the battery out since its easy to access. The thing that bugs me is that you don’t have a spare tire. That’s pretty rough.
I think from a labor perspective it should be. It is around 300 volts with the ability to discharge amps very rapidly, so you would definitely want to respect that fact and take appropriate precautions
Great review. I learn more from your review than all the others put together. No one ever mention the type of engine performance other than it has the 2.0 liter, the catalytic converter feature under the hood and the unique air condition with the single battery charging. I bought the 2024 Sports Touring Hybrid in March. Love everything about the SUV. Keep up the good work.
Using econ, I am averaging 40.9 GPM driving this hybrid 10 months & love it. Had pilots before & just miss the storage in the rear. It' so well put together. Power seats function just fine. Remote start very valuable. Kick to open the trunk door really a big help when your hands are full.
Good video... It helped me end up buying basically the same car. A couple of things I noticed that are cool. 1.) Where the rear windshield wiper is located in its 'standby' state, Honda ran a square wave pattern of the defrost electrics under the wiper blade, good for unsticking a frozen blade quicker. 2.) If you have the front windshield wipers on, and put the car in reverse, the CR-V turns on the rear windshield wiper automatically. Two nice features that cost next to nothing to implement. 3.) In driving on backroads with modest ups and downs at around 40 mph I've been able to squeak out 50 MPG by small accelerator pedal moves. Kinda fun. 4.) I was able to eek out 38 MPG round trip on a 20 mile highway cruise up and down an I-90 mountain pass. Using the adaptive cruise control is simple, and makes drafting semi's easy. That MPG was obtained at 70 MPH and Semi following. The hybrid cannot outdo physics in some circumstances... A 1200 foot climb up the hill to my house yielded 14 MPG. However; going down the hill yields 129 MPG. >). Pretty remarkable little car, and thanks again for the video... The headroom specs for the car seem to understate reality by a fair amount. I wasn't even planning on going to the dealership until you mentioned your experience with headroom. Plenty of headroom, and comfortable seats. Think Honda did a great job of implementing the UI to the car as well. A good feature set that is easy to use. Thanks again for the video
I bought an Accord hybrid base model in 2014. I agree that it is the best car I've ever had with no issues. I have to check to see if the engine is similar to the one in the CRV.
Great video! Your take on the CR-V as an owner is refreshing-someone who owns the vehicle and has not borrowed the car from a dealership. Keep making videos, and all the best, ❤ 🙏🏼
Only grips so far (purchased 2024 Hybrid Sport in August 2023) is the faulty EPS rack (recalled in civic) that creates a “sticky” steering feel. Fake shift/engine noise is also unnecessary for a car like this. Last issue is the driver side wiper arm leaves a vertical line of water/film 2-3” from the A pillar. Other than that is super comfy and practical. 29,000 miles thus far. It’s surprisingly handsome for a mass produced grocery getter
On the remote, press unlock once, press it again and hold and it will open all the doors and moonroof. Great for cooling down the car. Can be disabled in the settings. Pull the door handle to reveal the hidden door keyhole. The door arm rests are a bit hard to me. No 360 camera. No ventilated seats. But I think the ride is great and I get 43mpg on my commute. I put my keyfob in a faraday cage when not used.
Oh yeah, that is cool. I think you mean "open all the windows", lol. I actually find that my CRV, which is urban gray with black interior, doesn't get nearly as hot as my Subaru which is white with beige interior, so I don't end up using that feature much. I am wondering if the glass is more uv protected, or maybe the battery does some periodic venting (to keep cool) which also helps the cabin keep cool.
@CoolStuffGuysLike lol, yeah, windows not doors. I live in the south and we'll see how hot it gets this summer. I thought about getting the front window clear tinted to block infrared rays.
We have had our CR-V sport hybrid since July of 2023 and love it. I personally don't care for hearing the car changing gears, when there is no gears to change. Also the engine is loud when entering an interstate or going up a steep road. Great review!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for covering some of the under the hood info that as a owner was unaware of. I love our 2024 sport l also, but there are some things I wish were better! Maybe I am unaware of how to configure some personal items, but I have an older Ridgeliner and prefer the steering wheel controls to the newer setup. The newer controls are difficult to operate while driving since they are smaller and laid out in a poor arrangement. Setting the cruise control at night is a venture in itself! I would much prefer the larger paddles for the cruise control and the smaller toggle for the generative braking function which I never use! Also for a vehicle that has a driver1 and 2 function, why do I have to set up my i phone and disconnect my wife's every time I drive! Even my older GM product could handle that function better. quirks I can live with but could be improved!
I hate that it doesn't have two things that the RAV4 Hybrid does: 1. a spare tire - in the CRV if you get a flat, you only have a patch kit and have to get towed, 2. 360 degree camera - could help in parking I have a 2007 CRV and am looking for my next vehicle. I want the quieter ride of the CRV plus the degree of self-sufficiency that the RAV4 provides with the spare tire.
I did have to clean it once. It is right above the license plate and can get pretty dirty if you are on a dirt road. I just wiped it off with my finger...
Miss the fog lights. Thanks for the video - I have owned my 2025 for a few months, and I really like it. I do miss the garage door opener in the mirror. Good to know I can buy it after market with Honda.
16 months into my '23 Sport Touring Hybrid, and it's mixed for me. For the top of the line, it should have a moonroof, and how does 2023 vehicle NOT have homelink to program to your garage door opener?!? Drives and handles very well, never feels twitchy or unsure, and it's a Honda, so I expect at least 250,000 miles. Currently about 29,000 miles and no issues, except weirdly the dealership said my battery tie down is missing, but they are the only ones who have ever opened the hood.
I recently sold my 2009 Honda CR-V that I bought new and it had 60K miles on it. I advertised it on the Internet and it sold within 2 hours. It was a great vehicle, but I thought that it was time for something new. I was interested in a Toyota Grand Highlander, but none of the local dealers had one in stock and they wouldn't even take orders for one. Sales are all based on dealer allotment. I found a Honda dealer that had a 2024 Honda Pilot Sport so I decided to buy it. I really like the vehicle and it has plenty of power for my needs. I'm retired, so fuel economy is not a big concern for me. I really like Android auto and I'm glad that I have two 12 v / 180 watt outlets to charge my power stations. I hope that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of your CR-V.
Never understood why someone would by new if they drive such low miles. A 2009 with 60k ? You barely drive lol I put 60k every 2 years on my vehicles. I don't see how people can not drive so much. In America.
@@LBCosmicConcerns Cos Retired. Driving to the market/errands meeting fam/friends etc. Otherwise probably enjoying the home, hobbies etc. I'm basically retired and I'm mainly enjoying the comfort of my home and love the days I don't need to drive anywhere or leave the house. Last job had me driving in 3 states so was always on the road.
So good to hear about the catalytic converter, it not under the car, I had my 2007 Accord stolen twice. Lol. Thanks for giving more info about this car. Great review.
Been thinking about getting a CRV hybrid. Your review was very helpful. Quick question: how do you feel about the lack of a spare tire? I think the fix a flat kit Honda provides would be pretty sketchy to fix a flat. Thanks!
I don't really worry too much about not having a spare. I never run on old or bald tires and haven't had a real blow out since I was a broke high school kid 20 some years ago. I get a slow leak about once every couple years but nothing that warrants the spare tire coming out. I have also made a point to try to buy good quality tires and not slam into any large objects on the road.
Thank you for your practical review. I learned a bit more about this car that I didn't know before. I have owned my 2024 Sport L since the end of December '23 and like you I am very pleased with it. My only complaints are no spare ( yes I am old school ), the owner's manual could be larger print and better pics ( thank goodness for TH-cam helpful videos.) ****Would you please reply back to me if you know how to dim the dash board lighting (speed odometer and power gauge;etc.)....thank you & Yes, I know how to adjust the lighting on the control display...that's not my issue.
How many spare tires have you used in your life? For those times, would you have used the spare if you had a cell phone at the time and had insurance to cover the tow?
Terrific job! Question: I have a 2023 Sport Touring, which has extra soundproofing then exclusive to that trim. Does the Sport-L have the same soundproofing? I ask, because the 2023 Sport, while quiet, was not as quiet as the Sport Touring...you could tell the difference.
I was actually trying to find an answer to that question but came up short. I do believe that the sport touring uses acoustic glass and the sport L and sport do not. In most cases the sport L is very quiet but I believe the sport touring will be a bit better.
I too am a actual owner. I have the touring hybrid and I traded a Acura MDX base modle in on it. I also live in the Pittsburgh Pa. area. I'm 71 years old so I've been driving since I was 16. this is the best car I've ever owned. everything is so wright, power,ride,fit and finish. I don't miss the Acura at all, especially the gas mileage. low twenties mid grade. :(. One more thing I'd like to share with you is the type of gas I use. My mileage was in the low to mid 30's useing cheap gas, if there is such a thing anymore. Sheetz, getgo etc. then I tried BP, it got better, then Sunoco, got better still. THEN I tried Shell. I get 37.5 mpg almost all the time now. and when I keep it at the posted speed limits, I'm seeing 40 mpg!. the little extra I spend on Shell gas more than makes up for the extra cost. Actually in my area armstrong county. Shell is .10 cents per gallon cheaper than Sheetz. Looking forward to seeing more vids from you. Can't seem to figure out how to get tire pressure readouts in the dash display, is that possible?
chaz, I'm in your "school". I'm 73 (in Oct.) currently driving a 22 MDX Advance. I truly enjoy the MDX , it's comfortable, excellent road manners of ride & handling, the features, the ELS Stereo is top notch, however, the MPGs are awful. I drive around suburbia primarily as a Retiree, making mostly local runs with the 2X a month South Jersey haul to visit family (3 Grandkids there). My wife drives a 2016 CRV Touring which only has about 46K miles on it, totally Trouble Free since May 2016. I'm being "tempted" to trade in the wife's CRV for a New 2025 CRV Hybrid Sport Touring model. My 22 MDX lease just expired and I am extending it for 6 months at the same monthly rate. The Buyout for the MDX in January will be $35,400 Plus Taxes. I'm thinking that I may buy it then OR trade the MDX for a new CRV Hybrid ???? Either way, I will pursue getting out of leasing cars, if possible. At our age, God Forbid, but being real, anything healtth wise could aris forcing a chnage in car ownership. Leasing Locks You In - very expensive to get out of lease early.
For Sacramento weather this summer.. is it worth it to buy brand new CRV hybrid and parking it on the driveway? Cos I’m only renting.. no carport or garage..
Thank you for this video. For me, with daily driving and, perhaps, more importantly, daily street parking, this makes sense over more expensive vehicles with better 0-60 and other performance numbers. Driving is a joy, but day-to-day it is an essential task, and reliability and predictability are paramount. I kept my last CRV for over 10 years, and only began to have power train problems past the decade mark. It was paid off in 5 years, so I had 5 more years of use, only paying for routine maintenance. The leather on this new intermediary model is a welcomed feature. If you like the taller seat position and you are not that tall, the constant in-and-outs into the vehicle will wear down the fabric seats and eventually disintegrate the foam underneath. Smooth, durable leather should mitigate that wear and tear.
Thanks for this deep dive into the little grey areas that most buyers will only discover after living with the vehicle. I had no idea that these had no serpentine belts! Or that the catalytic converter was in the engine well! Regenerative braking has been a bit of a mystery to me until now, so thank you for that. I will say that I was surprised by your reply to another commenter about the lack of a spare tire (due to the hybrid battery usurping that space). You are able to explain technical topics in easy to understand terms, which makes me believe that you can understand why a spare tire is essential to many of us who do not live in areas bristling with tow trucks, for those times when a can of fix-a-flat is insufficient for repairing a tire. There don't seem to be any definitive videos out there to provide a detailed explanation of this condition, or to discuss all the pros and cons (for me, it's all cons) and to include a lot of good shots to show what I would describe as "the problem". It's frustrating to have this complaint dismissed out of hand, as it's a dealbreaker keeping me out of this otherwise fantastic vehicle. I hope you'll consider covering this issue from all angles and perspectives in a future video? You'll probably get some attention if you do it well! Thanks again for the review, I rarely reply to videos 😂
Not having a spare tire is keeping you out of the vehicle? There are spares you can purchase all over the the internet that you can use or take with you on road trips.
Thanks! I don't believe I responded to a commenter about a spare tire, so you may be confusing it with another responder. It would be nice if it had one but I am a little less worried than most people seem to be. With modern, good quality tires a full on flat seems pretty rare unless you physically hit something. I get a slow leak (a few psi a day) once in a while but haven't had a flat that disabled the car in probably 20 years (when I was using junk, dry rotted tires). I do carry a tire repair kit that I like better than the slime that Honda gives you. It is the slime "plug" kit which is what I have used to repair all of my slow leaks and all have lasted the life of the tire. It is pretty easy to do, even if you were on the side of the road. If you frequent construction sites, I'd probably just get a spare and strap it down in the back. If you go to a U-Pull style salvage yard you can get an older CRV tire and rim, and also grab the scissor jack and tire wrench from it while you are there
@@CoolStuffGuysLike thanks, I love that you responded. Although I do live in a major metropolitan area I do travel in the hinterlands and am old enough to feel that the lack of a spare is a dealbreaker, and that carrying a spare in the cargo area defeats the utility of that area - it's just a cascade of considerations that end up with me saying "no (for now)". I do wonder if automakers will ever return to installing spares in hybrids once they establish that the customer-base is willing to forego that equipment? I could bore a room full of people with a dissertation about the ever-diminishing level of technical ability in our culture, but no one will sign up for my Ted Talk! I have shared the information about no-serpentine belt and the location of the catalytic converter with several friends, so your video was super useful in that regard so thank you again! (and if you do make a video with an overview of the movement away from spare tires, it might generate some traffic - who knows?) - :)
@@justinstewart3248 indeed there are. They take up cargo space that I would need to use on a daily basis, and for safety it is imperative that you tie the spare down in the event of an accident. It is absolutely a solution for many people! It is not the solution for my use case. And staking out a position about spare tires does seem to generate a bit of controversy in internet forums. I have been in several situations where I learned that I can never depend on a timely rescue from AAA, which does make this a checkmark on my must-have list. I hope that going without a spare works for most people and wish them the best of luck in their travels :)
@@CoolStuffGuysLike Knock on wood but it has been 34 years since my last full-on flat tire. I've been traveling across the US once a year for the past 7 years without one incident. If a lot of travel is in store for you, don't keep tires longer than 3 year (maybe 4). Again, knock on wood. Good video by the way. Cheers
I had a blow-out at 70 mph, a shredded tire, and no spare in our 2024 hybrid CRV. I wish that there was an easy cartop spare option offered at the dealer. Big trips out west. Too far to rely on AAA and hope of a distant tow truck esp for what is an SUV, not a city commuter car. Otherwise a great car.
Very good review by a real owner. Thank you. I never have a hybrid car before, but I drove couple time Toyota Prius from rental. My next car probably will be the Honda CRV Hybrid. Actually I am not very interested to all the Hybrid Sport L gimmicks. More than that, I do not really like the leather seats which is in my opinion will not last as long as the fabric, also it will need more maintenance. The only thing that I really miss from the Hybrid Sport is the power rear gate.
I have a Honda Jazz Sport with the controls mainly the same as the CR-V. Regarding the heating in winter I tend to use the heated seats (and steering sometimes) for 5 minutes or so before switching the climate system on which saves fuel.
I have the2023 hybrid touring edition, I’m enjoying it, thanks for your video, you cover so much, two more strange things about this car, it has no starter and no alternator
No spare tire is the only thing that has me looking at other vehicles. Honda's tiny sun-roof is also a let down. I don't know why Honda always seems to mess up on the simplest of features.
Have a '23 Ridgeline and it has a heated windshield. I just got a '24 Sport Touring and was disappointed it didn't have it, especially since Honda offers it in other models (and, from what I've read, in Canada). The garage door opener, or the lack of it, is annoying. It feels like a bit of a cash grab. The various proximity sensors seem hyper-sensitive. Otherwise - super happy with it. And...thanks for clearing up why the engine was running on cooler days (we live in Minnesota). That makes complete sense.
I bought a 24 Ridgeline RTL. I wish it had the front end sensors that the CRV Sport Touring does. It would make it a lot easier when I have to park behind someone that has one of the big extended trailer hitches
That is the auto dimming mirror, so that when somebody behind you blasts their high beams, it isn't so bright. If I turn that function off (which I don't), the green light turns off
thanks, it is awesome the way you described the engine design like a mechanics i am just waiting for Honda to release the plug in version cuz it has 17.7 kwh batteries vs 1.4 kwh
@@afcgeo882you don’t get my point, regular car, when you floor it, it down shift to get you power to pass on highway. If Hybrid switched to only 2.0 engine, then it will not have any power to over take
No spare tire = no road trips = deal breaker here. And no, we don't want to have an aftermarket spare tire in a bag taking up space in the cargo area. Otherwise a fantastic Hybrid.
Thank you. 2025 doesn't have a spare either. Maybe in 2026 the body will be built around the battery. No spare+ flat anxiety like the range anxiety of e-cars.
I just got a 2024 sport touring & I love it. I had a 300 hp car before so it feels sluggish. The mileage is great but drops significantly going uphill. I lose 50 miles on a tank going to Tahoe once
What would be the best alternative for not having a spare tire? What could be done to have this problem solved? I’m pretty concerned as it can be a problem if the tire deflates while on the road!
I bought a 2023 crv exl in April 2023 and was not satisfied with the gas mileage...traded it in April 2024 for a 2024 crv exl hybrid....big improvement...happier now
Just a heads up. The CRV has an electric heater. The reason the engine runs is that the heater drains the battery faster. Thus, the gas engine runs more. A heat pump is a different thing that only applies to EV's its a heat scavenging device. Every one talks about how great "heat pumps" are. The fact is that when its really cold they are useless since their benefits below 32F rapidly decrease.
I don't think the injectors typically get plugged on direct injection, but the intake valves do get caked in carbon, since the gas is no longer spraying on them and washing them. This is better than most direct injection engines thanks to the Atkinson cycle. It leaves the intake valve open for the first portion of the compression stroke, which blows some of the fuel/air mix into the intake port and across the valve. On the next intake stroke, microseconds later, it is sucked back into the cylinder and back across the valve again. The engine also runs about half as much as a non-hybrid would. So at 100k miles, your engine may have as many run hours as a 50k mile non-hybrid engine.
@@CoolStuffGuysLikeThis is the Honda 2.0 NA engine and it has port injection, not direct. You’ll also find it in the Civic and HRV, just in Otto cycle instead of Atkinson.
@@afcgeo882 These 2.0 engines are very different and why CSGL called out the CRV Atkinson engine as possibly keeping valves cleaner than regular otto direct injection motors. Pretty much the only things in common ae the number of cylinders and number of ports. Car Care Nut shows off the hybrid system - th-cam.com/video/sP6Pp2RTTJg/w-d-xo.html NAUS shows off his Civic 2.0 Hatch - th-cam.com/video/sP6Pp2RTTJg/w-d-xo.html Just looking at the engine bays, the engine blocks, the head configuration, totally different generations. Civic 2.0 vs CR-V Hybrid BorexStroke - 86.0x85.9 vs 81.0x96.7 Displacement - 1996 vs 1993 Compression - 10.8:1 vs 13.9:1 Fuel Injection - Multiport vs Direct among other things like valves, belts, etc
7:50 please note that Honda e:hev system does have Li-ion high voltage small 1kWh battery pack which cannot output significant amount of energy when cold. So basically Honda e:hev hybrids become ICE-vehicles with electric transmission until it heat up its HV-battery. And they seem to heat it up with electricity generated by ICE. In practice every car suffer from shot 2-3mi distance drives.
It definitely loses series mpg for those first few miles in the winter. The heat for the heater is a traditional heater core so the engine coolant needs to come up to temp to get the hot air blowing. It runs the engine unnecessarily on a cold morning. If you turn the heater temp way down it won't need to warm up the engine as much but that is getting a little extreme for the half cup of gas or whatever it uses to heat up a little more.
I have not experienced that and I live in a very hilly area. I also notice, even on the highway, that it will sometimes go into EV mode, so I think even at high speeds the electric motors will contribute. I'll have to watch and see when it shows the engine to be coupled to the wheels (a little gear symbol on the power flow screen), if I am still seeing the battery charge fluctuate. What does sometimes happen on a big long hill is that the EV battery will get low enough to need recharged while the CRV is already working hard, so the engine rpms will run noticeably high when that happens. Normally you won't hear the engine at all unless you are flooring it, but on a big long hill you will once in a while. This will make it feel like it is working hard (which it is). If you were towing more than the 1000lb limit, I could see it really slowing you down.
It runs out of battery pretty fast on a gradient. The car doesn’t run out of steam as much as the gas engine get noisy like it’s straining which it isn’t - it’s just the way the “e-CVT” transmission works
@@angusmacdonald5300will the car stop if it runs out if battery? Can engine not provide power for generator to drive the car? Will the horsepower drop to
@@harrytej no it won’t stop, it just doesn’t get that boost from the battery and on a long gradient the engine has to work harder just to keep the car moving and not much torque left over for keeping the battery supplied with power
Funnily enough Toyotas ecvt, which is not a traditional cvt, is more similar to a cvt. Hondas direct drive system is essentially the i3 Rex with the ability to drive the wheels through 2 clutches ( low and high for 2023). Hondas system very simple compared to toyotas and drives more like a electric vehicle than a hybrid, which the only way it drives under 50mph as a serial hybrid. This is where you see the delta between honda and toyotas systems. Toyotas ecvt will always be splitting power but with different "ratios" from the planetary gears. Where as hondas system is one of their generators with "Normal, Eco, and Load mode" that can drive the wheels. As some have mentioned hills are a jarring. This varies based on grades up or down; as you mentioned Atkinson engines trade power for efficiency when going up hill torque is needed to pull the vehicle up so in these instances the electric motor has more torque vs Atkinson engine meaning the engine will decouple from the wheels to generate power directly to electric motors aka coffee grinder mode When going downhill for along time the engine will spin up to burn off extra electicity it can't store in the 1.3 kwh battery. The plus side is blended brake feel is the same regardless in battery state of charge. This is why toyotas hybrids have inconsistencies in brake feel as the ecvt is alway in connected in parallel to engine + motor so when the battery is full no regen braking can occur so friction brakes are used
In our family, we had two Priuses (Prii?) where the hybrid battery failed in just over 8 years and under 90K miles. It was just outside the Toyota warranty at that time. The dealership quoted close to $5K to replace the batter. It would be a great benefit if Honda's charge is significantly less. By the way, Toyota corporate basically discounted the cost for each vehicle around $2K since both vehicles were just out of warranty. Toyota's currently warrantees their hybrid battery warranty for 15 years, 150K miles. Honda's warranty of 10 years, 100K miles is disappointing.
I have a 2025 Sport Hybrid L, Best vehicle ever, over 34 mpg and I don’t even try!!! Comfy and just enough style inside, leather seating is perfection!
I have a 2024 & do not understand the + paddle shifter ..... what does it do ??? I know the - shifter slows the car down but the + ???? Can some one help me understand this >
I got the 2023 Accord Sport Hybrid that has this exact same engine, exept for the final drive ratio but, I must say that everything you said about your crv also applies to this car. I had to rebooth the radio twice cause it lost the phone conection, but that's about the only issue that I had so far. It's a smooth ride, I really like the torq from the electric motor that you get straight from the start😎
Thanks for the video. I would have included "10-month owner's perspective" in the title. The audio levels could have been a bit higher. I appreciated your user's perspective! I would have hoped for better real world mileage in town. Would you speculate that Pittsburgh's hills are too steep to capture full energy from regen braking, and resort to physical breaking? Also, do you do much parallel parking? Backup cam fairly standard?
Thanks! I normally get about 32-35mpg around here which is really great considering the conditions. All of our other vehicles get substantially worse than the EPA estimates with the hills and stop and go. Once in a while the battery will be full towards the bottom of a hill and will mostly stop regen-ing. That only seems to happen if it is already past about 2/3 at the top of the hill. There is no perceivable difference when it transitions, but you will notice if you are watching the Regen meter. The backup cam is great it is a fairly wide angle so you can see quite a ways left and right. You can change it in the settings to narrow the field of view also if you want. It will also warn you if a car is approaching from the side, like if you are backing out of a parking spot at a grocery store and a car is coming.
Excellent job in this video! You covered many things, like you said that other journalist do not cover. It was also very refreshing to hear your opinions from an actual owner of the Honda CRV.
AWESOME REVIEW, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST INFORMATIVE AND NO BLAH REVIEWS OUT THERE! NICE LOOKING VEHICLE.
Great review - heat pumps are not used because they don’t work very well below about minus 20 degrees. Being the biggest selling SUV in its class on Canada, ‘heat’ becomes an important factor, hence the regular engine block/radiator system. This also minimizes emissions in colder climates.
As far as the inductive phone charging, cases get in the way, and separate the two coils, further than necessary, creating heat.
Using the regenerative braking via the steering wheel paddle, you get more efficiency that the reduced amount of regen braking if you don’t use the paddles. Set your drive mode selector in B and you can dictate, and set the amount of regen braking without having to use the paddle.
Then home link mirror is only available in the top trim. There’s no wiring in place for it in the lower trims.
I wished you’d take the time to point out little features missing from a lot of other brands. For example, if your wipers are set to automatic (or on) and you are parking or shift into reverse, the rear wiper automatically comes on. There’s also the rear camera washer, so you’ve no more x uses for a dirty camera lens making things hard to see. Auto high beams also work well in this model.
The 6th gen CRV uses a different form of AWD, where the system is always sending some torque to the rear wheels (This was not the case in the 5th gen and earlier models, where you only got drive when there was front wheel slippage). This means you also benefit from AWD even when in reverse in the 6th gen.
There are, however, some differences between the Canadian model and the one for the US. Again, for example, the washer fluid tank on the US model is small at only about 1.6 litres where the Canadian model hold nearly 4.6 litres.
I could go on and on, but will leave it too you to make other video covering these things.
Again thank for making this ‘real’ review.
Thank you for the feedback and insights! I would be curious of all the differences between the Canadian and US versions. The Sport L is an interesting model, where it has about 75% of the Sport Touring features, but not all (no heated steering wheel, no automatic wipers, no wave your foot to open the lift gate, no built in navigation). I don't believe any US models have the rear camera washer, sadly. I am wondering if anything is missing on the Canadian model vs the US or if it just costs a little more to cover the few add-ons.
Thank you so much, excellent information that I have not heard anywhere else.
I've often wondered about the differences in Canadian and American models of the same vehicle.
My CR-V Sport Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear washer for the camera. Only found on Touring models. Also the safety system on the new Honda’s are worse than previous models. My car always thinks someone is in front when they are beside or got off the interstate. The car then proceeds to hard brake or lightly brake depending on how it has read the car that’s beside or going on the off ramp. I’ve been disappointed with the CR-V mainly because of price not matching equipment offerings and the poor infotainment center that’s been messsing up so often I find myself hard rebooting the system 3-4 times a month. I get bad USB almost everyday when I get in the car to use wired CarPlay or Android and the Bluetooth technology Honda uses in the new CR-V is so old and outdated it’s not worth trying to connect my device to it that way because it doesn’t work or has such a lag in the connection. Something I haven’t seen before in other cars like Ford and Mazda and Nissan. Honda really said let’s see how much we can rip off our customers and find out how dumb they are. Turns out we’re blinded by the fake reassurance of Honda’s reliability that’s been tanking recently and the resell price that’s also on the down slope.
This was a great review! The location of the catalytic converter was super helpful as well as the door opening 90 degrees! 👍 BEST Review of in depth details 😊
Thank you for your practical review. I learned a bit more about this car that I didn't know before. I have owned my 2024 Sport L since the end of December '23 and like you I am very pleased with it. My only complaints are no spare ( yes I am old school ), the owner's manual could be larger print and better pics ( thank goodness for TH-cam helpful videos.)
****Would you please reply back to me if you know how to dim the dash board lighting (speed odometer and power gauge;etc.)....thank you & Yes, I know how to adjust the lighting on the control display...that's not my issue.
We bought a 2024 CRV hybrid as well and I have to say we love it.
3rd Honda- they rock! Bought our son a hybrid 2023! He loves it! Feels like he never has to get gas!
Bought your son? 😣 🚁
Nepo baby?
Good review. I learned some things I didn't know before watching your review. My wife literally purchased a 2024 CR-V Hybrid yesterday! I don't have any issues with my iPhone charging on my 2024 Pilot, but I made sure my case was MagSafe compatible. One thing I'm not thrilled with on the CR-V Hybrid is no spare tire! While they give you a can of foam to help with flats, it'll complicate repairs of punctures using a tire plug.
yes no spare!! Can you install a trunk hitch gate ?
Keep the tire plug repair kit in your car, and a pump. Repair on-site. Slime repair kits work well, I keep small pliers in my kit to help pull out nail. Hope this helps.
Thank you for taking the time out to do this Honest to Goodness review, a real Life review from a User. Your description and explanation of the Guts is great. Despite some excellent reviewers on the InterWeb, I don't think I saw explanations like this !!
Great to see different views fron an owner. Thanks!
I have a 2023 sport touring i picked up in April 2023. It really is such a great suv. I average 39mpg. Your explanation of everything is great and I agree with everything you mentioned.
Thanks. I think it is an incredible car. You might get more gimmicks with a Hyundai or Kia, but a Honda gives you that peace of mind that it is not going to start having annoying issues after 50k miles, warranty or not. It seems very well built and well thought out.
Got my ‘24 CR-V Sport L last April. Been driving for almost 60 years and so far I would say this is the best car I’ve ever owned. Had a ‘19 RAD4 I traded in and the Sport L is MUCH quieter and has just as much power. Do agree about the iPhone recharger pad. It recharges VERY slowly.
Not to concern yourself, I have a Wireless Phone charger in my 22 MDX , it is fickle and yes, that too is slow and the phone does get warm!.
One big thing I liked, he's around Pittsburgh. So that gives me a pretty accurate idea of what my experience would be just an hour south.
I really like the kick switch on the tailgate. When I bought the car, I thought this was just fluff, but it really comes in handy when you come out to the car with your hands full--e.g. the grocery store or with a toolbox in one hand and a wrench in the other.
We own a 2025 CRV Hybrid Sport and we're averaging 40.9mpg and we've gotten the truck up to 49.8 at one point. It's a great mid size and we baby it.
How? I can't get not more than 32MPG
Same here@@Yona-z1t
I have a 2025 Hybrid Sport L, average 38 mpg. But, I live in Seattle with lots of stop & go traffic (omg, the traffic) so it uses the electric motor quite often, gas motor for acceleration (depending on pedal pressure) or for going uphill. It’s all to do with your driving habits & traffic flow.
Keep using regenerative braking and you'll all get close to, if not right at, 40 mpg.
Nice! I have the 2024 CRV Hybrid Sport and just hit the 45.1 MPG. Lots of traffic in my area but use it every day in the highway. Love my car!!!!
Thanks for this review! It's always more helpful to hear owner reviews than reviewers who've oftentimes been paid by the manufacturer for the review.
This was really helpful. I have owned a 2024 crv for 6 months and learned from you many features I knew nothing about. No serpentine belt? I hadn't even noticed. But that's cool. Thank you.
Great review. Done by a consumer, non-journalist, and it was the best, most comprehensive review to date for me. You answered a key question for me. No serpentine belt, which can save $1200-1700 depending on the quality of service. I have AAA and I want a spare tire. If you’ve ever waited for them over an hour and an hour and a half you know what I mean. I won’t buy it without a spare and I’m 67, in good shape and can change a spare. I’m also a two time Honda owner with 17’ Accord EXL V6. Honda should never have gotten rid of the V6 in the Accord. A mild Hybrid would have gotten 40 on the highway . No telling what in the city. I have gotten over 36 on the highway and I do not use Econ.
Thanks! Don't confuse the Serpentine (accessory) belt with the timing belt though. I imagine that is the service that your $1200 figure is coming from, since the serpentine belt should be about $75-200 depending on where you do it. To the best of my knowledge it has a timing chain and not a belt, which is the better option in my opinion. The more likely to leave you stranded at the side of the road is a broken serpentine belt so it is nice it doesn't have one.
What do you use for a spare? Can you add a trunk hitch gate?
what are some good suggestions for spare tire in the honda CRV hybrid. I just realized I dont have one in my new honda! dont want to pay a fortune. dont know where to store it. but dont want to be left stranded on the road
I’m actually curious if its pretty easy to change the battery out since its easy to access. The thing that bugs me is that you don’t have a spare tire. That’s pretty rough.
I think from a labor perspective it should be. It is around 300 volts with the ability to discharge amps very rapidly, so you would definitely want to respect that fact and take appropriate precautions
@@CoolStuffGuysLike Maybe 2026 Honda will engineer a spot for a spare.
Great review. I learn more from your review than all the others put together. No one ever mention the type of engine performance other than it has the 2.0 liter, the catalytic converter feature under the hood and the unique air condition with the single battery charging. I bought the 2024 Sports Touring Hybrid in March. Love everything about the SUV. Keep up the good work.
I just bought the hybrid and i love it.
I’m hearing about $2,000 for the main lithium ion battery plus labor. A lot less than I expected.
We love our 2024 crv hybrid L. Best car ever!!
Using econ, I am averaging 40.9 GPM driving this hybrid 10 months & love it. Had pilots before & just miss the storage in the rear. It' so well put together. Power seats function just fine. Remote start very valuable. Kick to open the trunk door really a big help when your hands are full.
Good video... It helped me end up buying basically the same car. A couple of things I noticed that are cool. 1.) Where the rear windshield wiper is located in its 'standby' state, Honda ran a square wave pattern of the defrost electrics under the wiper blade, good for unsticking a frozen blade quicker. 2.) If you have the front windshield wipers on, and put the car in reverse, the CR-V turns on the rear windshield wiper automatically. Two nice features that cost next to nothing to implement. 3.) In driving on backroads with modest ups and downs at around 40 mph I've been able to squeak out 50 MPG by small accelerator pedal moves. Kinda fun. 4.) I was able to eek out 38 MPG round trip on a 20 mile highway cruise up and down an I-90 mountain pass. Using the adaptive cruise control is simple, and makes drafting semi's easy. That MPG was obtained at 70 MPH and Semi following. The hybrid cannot outdo physics in some circumstances... A 1200 foot climb up the hill to my house yielded 14 MPG. However; going down the hill yields 129 MPG. >). Pretty remarkable little car, and thanks again for the video... The headroom specs for the car seem to understate reality by a fair amount. I wasn't even planning on going to the dealership until you mentioned your experience with headroom. Plenty of headroom, and comfortable seats. Think Honda did a great job of implementing the UI to the car as well. A good feature set that is easy to use. Thanks again for the video
#2 is on my 2007 CRV
Hi do you recommend a Mazda cx5 or Honda CRV hybrid? Thanks
I bought an Accord hybrid base model in 2014. I agree that it is the best car I've ever had with no issues. I have to check to see if the engine is similar to the one in the CRV.
Nice job on the review. I just got mine about a week ago. I like the brake hold feature when going through drive throughs.
Great video! Your take on the CR-V as an owner is refreshing-someone who owns the vehicle and has not borrowed the car from a dealership. Keep making videos, and all the best, ❤ 🙏🏼
Very smooth and useful presentation, you did better than many TH-camrs
Only grips so far (purchased 2024 Hybrid Sport in August 2023) is the faulty EPS rack (recalled in civic) that creates a “sticky” steering feel. Fake shift/engine noise is also unnecessary for a car like this. Last issue is the driver side wiper arm leaves a vertical line of water/film 2-3” from the A pillar. Other than that is super comfy and practical. 29,000 miles thus far. It’s surprisingly handsome for a mass produced grocery getter
Interesting and useful review. You are right, I have seen a few crv hybrid reviews but I have not seen these aspects covered.
Glad it was helpful!
On the remote, press unlock once, press it again and hold and it will open all the doors and moonroof. Great for cooling down the car. Can be disabled in the settings.
Pull the door handle to reveal the hidden door keyhole.
The door arm rests are a bit hard to me. No 360 camera. No ventilated seats. But I think the ride is great and I get 43mpg on my commute.
I put my keyfob in a faraday cage when not used.
Oh yeah, that is cool. I think you mean "open all the windows", lol. I actually find that my CRV, which is urban gray with black interior, doesn't get nearly as hot as my Subaru which is white with beige interior, so I don't end up using that feature much. I am wondering if the glass is more uv protected, or maybe the battery does some periodic venting (to keep cool) which also helps the cabin keep cool.
@CoolStuffGuysLike lol, yeah, windows not doors.
I live in the south and we'll see how hot it gets this summer. I thought about getting the front window clear tinted to block infrared rays.
I just got 2025 Cr-v Sport touring, love it so far
The wireless charger in my 2024 is amazing! Always charges, it sure does make my phone a little warm but works!
We have had our CR-V sport hybrid since July of 2023 and love it. I personally don't care for hearing the car changing gears, when there is no gears to change. Also the engine is loud when entering an interstate or going up a steep road.
Great review!!!!!!!!!!
Great video! Thanks for covering what most reviews don't!
thanks for covering some of the under the hood info that as a owner was unaware of. I love our 2024 sport l also, but there are some things I wish were better! Maybe I am unaware of how to configure some personal items, but I have an older Ridgeliner and prefer the steering wheel controls to the newer setup. The newer controls are difficult to operate while driving since they are smaller and laid out in a poor arrangement. Setting the cruise control at night is a venture in itself! I would much prefer the larger paddles for the cruise control and the smaller toggle for the generative braking function which I never use! Also for a vehicle that has a driver1 and 2 function, why do I have to set up my i phone and disconnect my wife's every time I drive! Even my older GM product could handle that function better. quirks I can live with but could be improved!
Are they rain sensing wipers?
I hate that it doesn't have two things that the RAV4 Hybrid does:
1. a spare tire - in the CRV if you get a flat, you only have a patch kit and have to get towed,
2. 360 degree camera - could help in parking
I have a 2007 CRV and am looking for my next vehicle. I want the quieter ride of the CRV plus the degree of self-sufficiency that the RAV4 provides with the spare tire.
Have you had any issues with the backup camera being blurry
I did have to clean it once. It is right above the license plate and can get pretty dirty if you are on a dirt road. I just wiped it off with my finger...
Nice review. Have the same CRV. Do you have any issues with rear camera view when misting or raining outside?
Miss the fog lights. Thanks for the video - I have owned my 2025 for a few months, and I really like it. I do miss the garage door opener in the mirror. Good to know I can buy it after market with Honda.
16 months into my '23 Sport Touring Hybrid, and it's mixed for me. For the top of the line, it should have a moonroof, and how does 2023 vehicle NOT have homelink to program to your garage door opener?!? Drives and handles very well, never feels twitchy or unsure, and it's a Honda, so I expect at least 250,000 miles. Currently about 29,000 miles and no issues, except weirdly the dealership said my battery tie down is missing, but they are the only ones who have ever opened the hood.
Got the same model recently and loving it. Thanks for your thoughts about it.
I have a crv and love it , Just wanted to say you did a fantastic job on your video . Way better than many so called pros .
Thank you, I appreciate you watching!
Great explanation about engine and Atkinson design / compression ratio.
I recently sold my 2009 Honda CR-V that I bought new and it had 60K miles on it. I advertised it on the Internet and it sold within 2 hours. It was a great vehicle, but I thought that it was time for something new. I was interested in a Toyota Grand Highlander, but none of the local dealers had one in stock and they wouldn't even take orders for one. Sales are all based on dealer allotment. I found a Honda dealer that had a 2024 Honda Pilot Sport so I decided to buy it. I really like the vehicle and it has plenty of power for my needs. I'm retired, so fuel economy is not a big concern for me. I really like Android auto and I'm glad that I have two 12 v / 180 watt outlets to charge my power stations. I hope that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of your CR-V.
How much did you sell it for?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is enormous. You love the CRV.
I have 2023 Sports Touring and get 38 mpg. It's drops off in winter. I had a concern for lack of spare but was able to buy one
Never understood why someone would by new if they drive such low miles. A 2009 with 60k ? You barely drive lol I put 60k every 2 years on my vehicles. I don't see how people can not drive so much. In America.
@@LBCosmicConcerns Cos Retired. Driving to the market/errands meeting fam/friends etc. Otherwise probably enjoying the home, hobbies etc. I'm basically retired and I'm mainly enjoying the comfort of my home and love the days I don't need to drive anywhere or leave the house. Last job had me driving in 3 states so was always on the road.
Does having no spare cause any issue?
So good to hear about the catalytic converter, it not under the car, I had my 2007 Accord stolen twice. Lol. Thanks for giving more info about this car. Great review.
Been thinking about getting a CRV hybrid. Your review was very helpful. Quick question: how do you feel about the lack of a spare tire? I think the fix a flat kit Honda provides would be pretty sketchy to fix a flat. Thanks!
I don't really worry too much about not having a spare. I never run on old or bald tires and haven't had a real blow out since I was a broke high school kid 20 some years ago. I get a slow leak about once every couple years but nothing that warrants the spare tire coming out. I have also made a point to try to buy good quality tires and not slam into any large objects on the road.
How is the interior noise level when driving? I heard it was loud but is it tolerable?
Thank you for your practical review. I learned a bit more about this car that I didn't know before. I have owned my 2024 Sport L since the end of December '23 and like you I am very pleased with it. My only complaints are no spare ( yes I am old school ), the owner's manual could be larger print and better pics ( thank goodness for TH-cam helpful videos.)
****Would you please reply back to me if you know how to dim the dash board lighting (speed odometer and power gauge;etc.)....thank you & Yes, I know how to adjust the lighting on the control display...that's not my issue.
How many spare tires have you used in your life? For those times, would you have used the spare if you had a cell phone at the time and had insurance to cover the tow?
A more informative review than most I come across
Terrific job! Question: I have a 2023 Sport Touring, which has extra soundproofing then exclusive to that trim. Does the Sport-L have the same soundproofing? I ask, because the 2023 Sport, while quiet, was not as quiet as the Sport Touring...you could tell the difference.
I was actually trying to find an answer to that question but came up short. I do believe that the sport touring uses acoustic glass and the sport L and sport do not. In most cases the sport L is very quiet but I believe the sport touring will be a bit better.
Really like the review and info from a users perspective
I too am a actual owner. I have the touring hybrid and I traded a Acura MDX base modle in on it. I also live in the Pittsburgh Pa. area. I'm 71 years old so I've been driving since I was 16. this is the best car I've ever owned. everything is so wright, power,ride,fit and finish. I don't miss the Acura at all, especially the gas mileage. low twenties mid grade. :(. One more thing I'd like to share with you is the type of gas I use. My mileage was in the low to mid 30's useing cheap gas, if there is such a thing anymore. Sheetz, getgo etc. then I tried BP, it got better, then Sunoco, got better still. THEN I tried Shell. I get 37.5 mpg almost all the time now. and when I keep it at the posted speed limits, I'm seeing 40 mpg!. the little extra I spend on Shell gas more than makes up for the extra cost.
Actually in my area armstrong county. Shell is .10 cents per gallon cheaper than Sheetz. Looking forward to seeing more vids from you. Can't seem to figure out how to get tire pressure readouts in the dash display, is that possible?
Hi Chaz the Honda’s don’t show tire pressure, it will warn you when pressure is low. They reserved that feature to the Acura’s.
chaz, I'm in your "school". I'm 73 (in Oct.) currently driving a 22 MDX Advance. I truly enjoy the MDX , it's comfortable, excellent road manners of ride & handling, the features, the ELS Stereo is top notch, however, the MPGs are awful. I drive around suburbia primarily as a Retiree, making mostly local runs with the 2X a month South Jersey haul to visit family (3 Grandkids there). My wife drives a 2016 CRV Touring which only has about 46K miles on it, totally Trouble Free since May 2016. I'm being "tempted" to trade in the wife's CRV for a New 2025 CRV Hybrid Sport Touring model. My 22 MDX lease just expired and I am extending it for 6 months at the same monthly rate. The Buyout for the MDX in January will be $35,400 Plus Taxes. I'm thinking that I may buy it then OR trade the MDX for a new CRV Hybrid ???? Either way, I will pursue getting out of leasing cars, if possible. At our age, God Forbid, but being real, anything healtth wise could aris forcing a chnage in car ownership. Leasing Locks You In - very expensive to get out of lease early.
I just purchased 2025 Honda - Hybrid CrV Sport L and I luv it !
For Sacramento weather this summer.. is it worth it to buy brand new CRV hybrid and parking it on the driveway? Cos I’m only renting.. no carport or garage..
Thank you for this video. For me, with daily driving and, perhaps, more importantly, daily street parking, this makes sense over more expensive vehicles with better 0-60 and other performance numbers. Driving is a joy, but day-to-day it is an essential task, and reliability and predictability are paramount. I kept my last CRV for over 10 years, and only began to have power train problems past the decade mark. It was paid off in 5 years, so I had 5 more years of use, only paying for routine maintenance.
The leather on this new intermediary model is a welcomed feature. If you like the taller seat position and you are not that tall, the constant in-and-outs into the vehicle will wear down the fabric seats and eventually disintegrate the foam underneath. Smooth, durable leather should mitigate that wear and tear.
Thanks for this deep dive into the little grey areas that most buyers will only discover after living with the vehicle. I had no idea that these had no serpentine belts! Or that the catalytic converter was in the engine well! Regenerative braking has been a bit of a mystery to me until now, so thank you for that. I will say that I was surprised by your reply to another commenter about the lack of a spare tire (due to the hybrid battery usurping that space). You are able to explain technical topics in easy to understand terms, which makes me believe that you can understand why a spare tire is essential to many of us who do not live in areas bristling with tow trucks, for those times when a can of fix-a-flat is insufficient for repairing a tire. There don't seem to be any definitive videos out there to provide a detailed explanation of this condition, or to discuss all the pros and cons (for me, it's all cons) and to include a lot of good shots to show what I would describe as "the problem". It's frustrating to have this complaint dismissed out of hand, as it's a dealbreaker keeping me out of this otherwise fantastic vehicle. I hope you'll consider covering this issue from all angles and perspectives in a future video? You'll probably get some attention if you do it well! Thanks again for the review, I rarely reply to videos 😂
Not having a spare tire is keeping you out of the vehicle? There are spares you can purchase all over the the internet that you can use or take with you on road trips.
Thanks! I don't believe I responded to a commenter about a spare tire, so you may be confusing it with another responder. It would be nice if it had one but I am a little less worried than most people seem to be. With modern, good quality tires a full on flat seems pretty rare unless you physically hit something. I get a slow leak (a few psi a day) once in a while but haven't had a flat that disabled the car in probably 20 years (when I was using junk, dry rotted tires).
I do carry a tire repair kit that I like better than the slime that Honda gives you. It is the slime "plug" kit which is what I have used to repair all of my slow leaks and all have lasted the life of the tire. It is pretty easy to do, even if you were on the side of the road.
If you frequent construction sites, I'd probably just get a spare and strap it down in the back. If you go to a U-Pull style salvage yard you can get an older CRV tire and rim, and also grab the scissor jack and tire wrench from it while you are there
@@CoolStuffGuysLike thanks, I love that you responded. Although I do live in a major metropolitan area I do travel in the hinterlands and am old enough to feel that the lack of a spare is a dealbreaker, and that carrying a spare in the cargo area defeats the utility of that area - it's just a cascade of considerations that end up with me saying "no (for now)". I do wonder if automakers will ever return to installing spares in hybrids once they establish that the customer-base is willing to forego that equipment? I could bore a room full of people with a dissertation about the ever-diminishing level of technical ability in our culture, but no one will sign up for my Ted Talk! I have shared the information about no-serpentine belt and the location of the catalytic converter with several friends, so your video was super useful in that regard so thank you again! (and if you do make a video with an overview of the movement away from spare tires, it might generate some traffic - who knows?) - :)
@@justinstewart3248 indeed there are. They take up cargo space that I would need to use on a daily basis, and for safety it is imperative that you tie the spare down in the event of an accident. It is absolutely a solution for many people! It is not the solution for my use case. And staking out a position about spare tires does seem to generate a bit of controversy in internet forums. I have been in several situations where I learned that I can never depend on a timely rescue from AAA, which does make this a checkmark on my must-have list. I hope that going without a spare works for most people and wish them the best of luck in their travels :)
@@CoolStuffGuysLike Knock on wood but it has been 34 years since my last full-on flat tire. I've been traveling across the US once a year for the past 7 years without one incident. If a lot of travel is in store for you, don't keep tires longer than 3 year (maybe 4). Again, knock on wood. Good video by the way. Cheers
I had a blow-out at 70 mph, a shredded tire, and no spare in our 2024 hybrid CRV. I wish that there was an easy cartop spare option offered at the dealer. Big trips out west. Too far to rely on AAA and hope of a distant tow truck esp for what is an SUV, not a city commuter car. Otherwise a great car.
Very good review by a real owner. Thank you.
I never have a hybrid car before, but I drove couple time Toyota Prius from rental. My next car probably will be the Honda CRV Hybrid. Actually I am not very interested to all the Hybrid Sport L gimmicks. More than that, I do not really like the leather seats which is in my opinion will not last as long as the fabric, also it will need more maintenance. The only thing that I really miss from the Hybrid Sport is the power rear gate.
I have a Honda Jazz Sport with the controls mainly the same as the CR-V. Regarding the heating in winter I tend to use the heated seats (and steering sometimes) for 5 minutes or so before switching the climate system on which saves fuel.
No spare tire on the hybrid?
A feature you didn't mention was having remote start (with auto 71 degree temp) without using an app or subscription.
I have the2023 hybrid touring edition, I’m enjoying it, thanks for your video, you cover so much, two more strange things about this car, it has no starter and no alternator
What wiper blades fod you use? I've bought various and none fit.
No spare tire is the only thing that has me looking at other vehicles. Honda's tiny sun-roof is also a let down. I don't know why Honda always seems to mess up on the simplest of features.
Have a '23 Ridgeline and it has a heated windshield. I just got a '24 Sport Touring and was disappointed it didn't have it, especially since Honda offers it in other models (and, from what I've read, in Canada). The garage door opener, or the lack of it, is annoying. It feels like a bit of a cash grab. The various proximity sensors seem hyper-sensitive. Otherwise - super happy with it. And...thanks for clearing up why the engine was running on cooler days (we live in Minnesota). That makes complete sense.
I bought a 24 Ridgeline RTL. I wish it had the front end sensors that the CRV Sport Touring does. It would make it a lot easier when I have to park behind someone that has one of the big extended trailer hitches
What’s the green light on mirror for ?
That is the auto dimming mirror, so that when somebody behind you blasts their high beams, it isn't so bright. If I turn that function off (which I don't), the green light turns off
Which color is this one!!
It is Urban Gray
and thats how car reviews supposed to be! well explained where things matter the mosts!
Thank you!
One question reviewers don’t talk about is when you are on highway
how much passing power since it runs on one gear gas engine
It seems like plenty of passing power to me. I often have trouble keeping it under 80 on the freeway since it is so smooth.
thanks, it is awesome the way you described the engine design like a mechanics
i am just waiting for Honda to release the plug in version cuz it has 17.7 kwh batteries vs 1.4 kwh
In a regular car you’re in the overdrive gear on the highway anyway.
@@afcgeo882you don’t get my point, regular car, when you floor it, it down shift to get you power to pass on highway.
If Hybrid switched to only 2.0 engine, then it will not have any power to over take
No spare tire = no road trips = deal breaker here. And no, we don't want to have an aftermarket spare tire in a bag taking up space in the cargo area. Otherwise a fantastic Hybrid.
Thank you. 2025 doesn't have a spare either. Maybe in 2026 the body will be built around the battery. No spare+ flat anxiety like the range anxiety of e-cars.
@@davidanderson8469 You can blame the EPA for that. These car companies are scrambling for ways to save weight to meet their mpg goals.
You need a small truck like the Toyota Rav-4. Toyota is becoming the best quality control company in the world.
Hesh up
Dr. Honda has a low cost donut spare for the trunk Fixed it. 😊
I just got a 2024 sport touring & I love it. I had a 300 hp car before so it feels sluggish. The mileage is great but drops significantly going uphill. I lose 50 miles on a tank going to Tahoe once
agreed, I have this too. The hills are the biggest downside. but cost/benefit is still there considering gas mileage
We bought this car last August and love it.
Good video. He actually covers things that we wanted to know, like the car seat.
What would be the best alternative for not having a spare tire? What could be done to have this problem solved? I’m pretty concerned as it can be a problem if the tire deflates while on the road!
In the unfortunate situation that a tire gets slashed by an exposed cast iron grid, or a rock, the tire repair kit will be useless.
I bought a 2023 crv exl in April 2023 and was not satisfied with the gas mileage...traded it in April 2024 for a 2024 crv exl hybrid....big improvement...happier now
Well, that 23 came with a lawn mower engine. What did you expect???
So is it better to buy the rav4 hybrid instead?
Just a heads up. The CRV has an electric heater. The reason the engine runs is that the heater drains the battery faster. Thus, the gas engine runs more. A heat pump is a different thing that only applies to EV's its a heat scavenging device. Every one talks about how great "heat pumps" are. The fact is that when its really cold they are useless since their benefits below 32F rapidly decrease.
Will these have issue with injectors being plugged up by carbon?
I don't think the injectors typically get plugged on direct injection, but the intake valves do get caked in carbon, since the gas is no longer spraying on them and washing them. This is better than most direct injection engines thanks to the Atkinson cycle. It leaves the intake valve open for the first portion of the compression stroke, which blows some of the fuel/air mix into the intake port and across the valve. On the next intake stroke, microseconds later, it is sucked back into the cylinder and back across the valve again. The engine also runs about half as much as a non-hybrid would. So at 100k miles, your engine may have as many run hours as a 50k mile non-hybrid engine.
@@CoolStuffGuysLikeThis is the Honda 2.0 NA engine and it has port injection, not direct. You’ll also find it in the Civic and HRV, just in Otto cycle instead of Atkinson.
This is a port injection engine, so no.
@@afcgeo882 These 2.0 engines are very different and why CSGL called out the CRV Atkinson engine as possibly keeping valves cleaner than regular otto direct injection motors.
Pretty much the only things in common ae the number of cylinders and number of ports.
Car Care Nut shows off the hybrid system - th-cam.com/video/sP6Pp2RTTJg/w-d-xo.html
NAUS shows off his Civic 2.0 Hatch - th-cam.com/video/sP6Pp2RTTJg/w-d-xo.html
Just looking at the engine bays, the engine blocks, the head configuration, totally different generations.
Civic 2.0 vs CR-V Hybrid
BorexStroke - 86.0x85.9 vs 81.0x96.7
Displacement - 1996 vs 1993
Compression - 10.8:1 vs 13.9:1
Fuel Injection - Multiport vs Direct
among other things like valves, belts, etc
7:50 please note that Honda e:hev system does have Li-ion high voltage small 1kWh battery pack which cannot output significant amount of energy when cold. So basically Honda e:hev hybrids become ICE-vehicles with electric transmission until it heat up its HV-battery. And they seem to heat it up with electricity generated by ICE.
In practice every car suffer from shot 2-3mi distance drives.
It definitely loses series mpg for those first few miles in the winter. The heat for the heater is a traditional heater core so the engine coolant needs to come up to temp to get the hot air blowing. It runs the engine unnecessarily on a cold morning. If you turn the heater temp way down it won't need to warm up the engine as much but that is getting a little extreme for the half cup of gas or whatever it uses to heat up a little more.
The car has become a bit more expensive, but it's worth every penny! It's such a great car that you don't want to get out.
Thank you!!!
Is that your ez-pass so low on the passenger side?
Because this uses fixed direct drive at high speeds, I read that it can run out of steam on uphill climbs. True?
I have not experienced that and I live in a very hilly area. I also notice, even on the highway, that it will sometimes go into EV mode, so I think even at high speeds the electric motors will contribute. I'll have to watch and see when it shows the engine to be coupled to the wheels (a little gear symbol on the power flow screen), if I am still seeing the battery charge fluctuate.
What does sometimes happen on a big long hill is that the EV battery will get low enough to need recharged while the CRV is already working hard, so the engine rpms will run noticeably high when that happens. Normally you won't hear the engine at all unless you are flooring it, but on a big long hill you will once in a while. This will make it feel like it is working hard (which it is). If you were towing more than the 1000lb limit, I could see it really slowing you down.
It runs out of battery pretty fast on a gradient. The car doesn’t run out of steam as much as the gas engine get noisy like it’s straining which it isn’t - it’s just the way the “e-CVT” transmission works
@@angusmacdonald5300will the car stop if it runs out if battery? Can engine not provide power for generator to drive the car? Will the horsepower drop to
@@harrytej no it won’t stop, it just doesn’t get that boost from the battery and on a long gradient the engine has to work harder just to keep the car moving and not much torque left over for keeping the battery supplied with power
Funnily enough Toyotas ecvt, which is not a traditional cvt, is more similar to a cvt. Hondas direct drive system is essentially the i3 Rex with the ability to drive the wheels through 2 clutches ( low and high for 2023).
Hondas system very simple compared to toyotas and drives more like a electric vehicle than a hybrid, which the only way it drives under 50mph as a serial hybrid.
This is where you see the delta between honda and toyotas systems. Toyotas ecvt will always be splitting power but with different "ratios" from the planetary gears. Where as hondas system is one of their generators with "Normal, Eco, and Load mode" that can drive the wheels.
As some have mentioned hills are a jarring. This varies based on grades up or down; as you mentioned Atkinson engines trade power for efficiency when going up hill torque is needed to pull the vehicle up so in these instances the electric motor has more torque vs Atkinson engine meaning the engine will decouple from the wheels to generate power directly to electric motors aka coffee grinder mode
When going downhill for along time the engine will spin up to burn off extra electicity it can't store in the 1.3 kwh battery. The plus side is blended brake feel is the same regardless in battery state of charge.
This is why toyotas hybrids have inconsistencies in brake feel as the ecvt is alway in connected in parallel to engine + motor so when the battery is full no regen braking can occur so friction brakes are used
Huge +1 to heat pump for hybrids. That would also enable dog mode for Hybrid cars
In our family, we had two Priuses (Prii?) where the hybrid battery failed in just over 8 years and under 90K miles. It was just outside the Toyota warranty at that time. The dealership quoted close to $5K to replace the batter. It would be a great benefit if Honda's charge is significantly less. By the way, Toyota corporate basically discounted the cost for each vehicle around $2K since both vehicles were just out of warranty. Toyota's currently warrantees their hybrid battery warranty for 15 years, 150K miles. Honda's warranty of 10 years, 100K miles is disappointing.
I really liked the look of the CRV , but we ended up with a 2024 Rav 4 Hybrid Limited instead.
Best suv in the row ..i like it elegant and durability brand honda ❤❤
Leaning towards this vehicle for a hybrid! Wondering how the 2025 is and if i should wait for that
My dealer here in NJ has 2025's out already, I didn't see much difference from ny 2024.
I am told they no longer have 2024. only delta is a modest price increase
I have a 2025 Sport Hybrid L, Best vehicle ever, over 34 mpg and I don’t even try!!!
Comfy and just enough style inside, leather seating is perfection!
Thx for this relatable share !
I have a 2024 & do not understand the + paddle shifter ..... what does it do ??? I know the - shifter slows the car down but the + ???? Can some one help me understand this >
The + paddle reduces the regen braking level. The - paddle increases it.
No spare because Honda crammed the battery into the gasser body. Maybe 2026 will find a spare tire in the rear. Still no spare on the 2024 Hybrid.
I’ve have never changed out a transmission - bad comparison to cost of changing battery.
I got the 2023 Accord Sport Hybrid that has this exact same engine, exept for the final drive ratio but, I must say that everything you said about your crv also applies to this car. I had to rebooth the radio twice cause it lost the phone conection, but that's about the only issue that I had so far. It's a smooth ride, I really like the torq from the electric motor that you get straight from the start😎
Thanks for the video. I would have included "10-month owner's perspective" in the title. The audio levels could have been a bit higher. I appreciated your user's perspective!
I would have hoped for better real world mileage in town. Would you speculate that Pittsburgh's hills are too steep to capture full energy from regen braking, and resort to physical breaking?
Also, do you do much parallel parking? Backup cam fairly standard?
Thanks! I normally get about 32-35mpg around here which is really great considering the conditions. All of our other vehicles get substantially worse than the EPA estimates with the hills and stop and go. Once in a while the battery will be full towards the bottom of a hill and will mostly stop regen-ing. That only seems to happen if it is already past about 2/3 at the top of the hill. There is no perceivable difference when it transitions, but you will notice if you are watching the Regen meter. The backup cam is great it is a fairly wide angle so you can see quite a ways left and right. You can change it in the settings to narrow the field of view also if you want. It will also warn you if a car is approaching from the side, like if you are backing out of a parking spot at a grocery store and a car is coming.
I like it. One thing I don't like is the lack of a spare for it.
Thank you! Great Job!!!
If you buy the extended warranty is the battery covered?
Battery has 8 years or 100.000 mil warranty