The Honda CR-V
has had a hybrid powertrain since 2020, but there’s speculation that the 2023 model may come with a plug-in hybrid option. Unfortunately, it looks like the PHEV will only be available on the European market—at least to start. The Honda CR-V may be the first PHEV the Japanese manufacturer releases in Europe—but until the 2023 model comes out, we won’t know if it’ll make it overseas to North America. However, the prospect of a partially electric SUV from Honda is exciting, to say the least!
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2023 Honda CR-V Plug-In Hybrid
Maybe you’ve seen the early release photos of the 2023 Honda CR-V—a white exterior camouflaged by black spirals. The details of the highly-anticipated SUV are hazy, but there are rumors of a plug-in hybrid option.
If this rumor is true, the sixth-generation CR-V will be Honda’s first PHEV in Europe. Let’s take a look at what we know so far about the possible plug-in option on the 2023 CR-V.
Pricing
Car and Driver predicts that the 2023 Honda CR-V will cost somewhere between $27,000 and $38,000 based on similar models and the CR-V’s price tags in the past. The plug-in option will probably fall somewhere on the higher end of the price scale.
Unfortunately, the CR-V will likely only be available overseas to start with, so you may have to wait to buy one until the PHEV makes it to America.
Performance and fuel economy
Details about the CR-V PHEV’s powertrain and fuel economy specs are still mostly conjecture at this point. The 2023 CR-V in general will most likely use the same platform as the Honda Civic hybrid, with compact electric motors and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. A CVT gearbox is expected, with available two or four-wheel-drive.
In terms of the CR-V PHEV’s powertrain, we have even fewer certainties—the closest existing Honda plug-in hybrid is the Clarity, which has a 181-hp electric motor, a 17.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
To compete with current PHEVs, the Honda CR-V is going to need to produce a range of around 35 miles with a fuel economy of 200 mpg.
Exterior styling
Honda has been keeping the exterior of the 2023 CR-V under literal wraps. The only changes we know for sure are that the body will be longer, the grille design will be sleeker, and the headlights will be slimmer and more modern.
Interior and comfort
We know a little bit more about the interior of the 2023 Honda CR-V. The long air vent along the dashboard is spruced up with a honeycombed grill. Also on the dash are physical climate control buttons and knobs, with a center console including a wireless charging pad and a traditional automatic shift lever.
The higher trim levels seem to include black leather upholstery and orange stitching. As we get closer to the release date, more details are sure to emerge!
Technology
No news yet on the safety features and tech components that will be included in the 2023 CR-V PHEV. Here are some driver-assistance technology features that have come standard in past iterations of the CR-V:
Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning
Warranty coverage
Honda will likely provide the same warranty coverage for the 2023 CR-V as for previous models:
Limited warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
These warranty coverages are competitive with most manufacturers. If the CR-V does come with a PHEV option, there may be added warranty coverage on the battery and other electronic components as well.
Trim levels and options
It’s likely that the Honda CR-V PHEV will be its own trim level. For the rest of the 2023 CR-V trims, Car and Driver predicts that they will be similar to the previous CR-V offerings:
The bottom line
With so much mystery around the Honda CR-V Plug-In Hybrid, it’s easy to get excited! However, it’s unlikely that the PHEV will be available in America, at least for a model year. Plug-in hybrid enthusiasts in Europe will get the first taste of the CR-V—if there is a plug-in option at all.
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