2020 Honda CR-V gets a new hybrid powertrain

MANILA: SUVs and crossovers are all the rage these days. And, the automakers are very keen on bringing out newer and revisited models one after the other to cater to the rising demand. Honda's CR-V, one of the more popular crossovers out there, was due for its share of fresh air since 2016 when the Japanese automaker put the car under the hammer for the last time.

Moreover, it was 2018 when the refreshed crossover made its way to the Philippines courtesy of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI). While the previous-generation Honda CR-V was a potent competitor in the segment itself, Honda has pulled the wraps off the 2020 model of its much-popular and high-selling crossover.

Having a look at the 2020 Honda CR-V, we can say that the changes are rather complicated to be noticed by a common man. The Japanese automobile manufacturer has taken the same path that it took for the 2020 Civic, i.e., Honda has made fewer, subtle, and only the needful changes.

At the front, there is an updated grille that looks much more striking and defining than before. At the corner, the crossover flaunts new Civic-like vertically stacked LED fog lamps. Sporty exhaust finishers, chrome trim, and a pair of new dark-tinted taillights make up the rear end. The side profile of the 2020 Honda Civic gets its share of newness in the form of new 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Moving inside the 2020 Honda CR-V, we find the crossover featuring a revamped instrument cluster, leather upholstery, USB charging ports for passengers at the back, faux wood trim, Qi wireless smartphone charging, powered front seats, three-spoke steering wheel, push-button start/stop, push-button gear selector, dual-zone climate control, and a touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V gets its power from a 1.5-litre turbocharged i-VTEC engine that generates 190 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 243 Nm. An Earth Dreams-developed CVT channels the power to the wheels. As we mentioned before, the refreshed Japanese crossover has also got hybrid tech under its hood for the 2020 model.

A 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine that works in conjunction with an electric motor makes up the powertrain on the hybrid variant of the crossover. A total of 212 PS of maximum power that is produced by the internal combustion and the electric combined is transferred to the wheels via a single fixed-gear ratio transmission.

On top of the standard safety equipment that includes multiple SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, and other safety features, the 2020 Honda CR-V also flaunts the Honda Sensing safety suite. The high-end safety package equips the crossover with the likes of the forward collision warning with pedestrian sensing, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist,  adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. Also making their way to the 2020 Honda CR-V are features like blind-spot information, auto high beam headlights, and rear-cross traffic monitor. Honda should soon bring the all-new 2020 CR-V to the ASEAN. However, the chances of the hybrid variant arriving in the region are pretty slim.

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