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2020 Honda CR-V: Model overview, pricing, tech and specs

Honda gives the CR-V a new standard powertrain for 2020, and there's finally a hybrid model, too.

Sean Szymkowski
It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything with four wheels. Prior to joining the Roadshow team, he was a freelance contributor for Motor Authority, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. As for what's in the garage, Sean owns a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and yes, it has Holden badges.
Sean Szymkowski
3 min read
Honda CR-V Hybrid
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Honda CR-V Hybrid

A new hybrid model joins the CR-V range for 2020.

Honda

The is one of the automaker's most important models. Thus, isn't resting for the 2020 model year, giving its compact crossover a rather thorough freshening up.

While buyers may not really notice the small changes to the exterior and interior, the crossover sports a new engine, and now the CR-V comes in hybrid flavor for those seeking extra efficiency. The added upgrades don't add too much to the bottom line, either.

Click here to read our most recent Honda CR-V review.

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid joins the lineup

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Powertrain and specs

The 2020 CR-V comes with a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine that makes 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Not only is that slightly more power (6 hp), but the engine is more efficient than the old, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter base motor, as well. The CR-V should return an estimated 2 miles per gallon more in city, highway and combined driving scenarios over the previous model year. That brings the official EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings to 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined.

Launching at a later date is the 2020 CR-V Hybrid. Here, there's a 2.0-liter inline-four Atkinson cycle engine that works with two electric motors and a battery pack. It's the same system found in the , which is mighty impressive. Total power output is 212 hp. Honda expected the CR-V Hybrid to achieve 50% better fuel economy than the regular CR-V, but it fell a bit shy. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the new hybrid is 40 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined.

Front-wheel drive is the standard for the CR-V, though all-wheel drive is optional for each trim. The CR-V Hybrid is an AWD-only affair.

2020 Honda CR-V

Honda gave the cabin a freshening, too.

Honda

Interior

When it's time to pile everyone in, the CR-V provides room for five passengers -- two up front and three in back. While lower trim levels stick with cloth upholstery, leather is optional and even standard on more expensive CR-V trims.

Behind the rear passengers you'll find just shy of 40 cubic feet of cargo space, but folding the seat down will reveal 75.8 cubic feet instead. The CR-V Hybrid, meanwhile, still retains a flat-load floor and the same cargo area even with its hybrid system. All CR-Vs come standard with automatic climate control and USB connectivity. 

Technology

The big news for 2020 is that every single CR-V now features Honda Sensing. That's the title for the automaker's bundle of active safety equipment. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control. However, infotainment tech is light on the base LX model -- the EX trim is where a 7-inch touchscreen comes into play with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . There's also rear-cross traffic monitoring, HD Radio and a smart keyless entry system. Touring models add goods such as wireless phone charging and a factory navigation system.

2020 Honda CR-V

The rear of the CR-V gets darker element taillights.

Honda

Pricing

Prices for the 2020 CR-V start at $26,170 after a $1,120 destination charge, but the volume seller will absolutely be the EX trim, which starts at $28,680. Optioning a fully loaded CR-V Touring before other additions reveals a $34,370 price. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option on every trim, unless you opt for the Hybrid, which comes with all-wheel-drive.

A full pricing rundown is below and each figure includes the destination charge.

  • CR-V LX FWD: $26,170
  • CR-V LX AWD: $27,670
  • CR-V Hybrid LX: $28,870
  • CR-V EX FWD: $28,680
  • CR-V EX AWD: $30,180
  • CR-V Hybrid EX: $31,380
  • CR-V EX-L FWD: $31,170
  • CR-V EX-L AWD: $32,670
  • CR-V Hybrid EX-L: $33,870  
  • CR-V Touring FWD: $34,370
  • CR-V Touring AWD: $35,870
  • CR-V Hybrid Touring: $37,070  

Availability

The 2020 Honda CR-V is on sale now, while the 2020 CR-V Hybrid will go on sale in the coming months.

Originally published Nov. 16, 2019.
Update, Feb. 28, 2020: Adds fuel economy estimates and pricing for CR-V Hybrid. Prices for standard model reflect new destination charge figure.

Watch this: 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid makes its US debut