New large SUV proved pretty pleasing in plug-in form. Now for the regular hybrid
ILLYA VERPRAET
The headline news about the sixth generation of Honda’s family SUV, the CR-V, is the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 51 miles of electric-only range. Cue cheers from fleet managers around the country.
We tried that car (called the e:PHEV) in the UK last month and rather liked its roomy, stress-free interior, easygoing nature and impressive economy.
However, Honda still expects most CR-V sales (about 75%) to go to the regular hybrid (called the e:HEV). So that’s what we’re looking at this week.
It looks identical and the only difference in the interior is that the e:HEV loses 72 litres of boot space, because its battery is under the boot floor rather than under the passenger compartment.
The engine and gearbox are the same as well, combining with an electric motor to serve up 181bhp.
Of course, the e:HEV makes do with a much smaller battery than the e:PHEV. Another difference is that with no battery under the passenger compartment, there’s space for a propshaft and four-wheel drive. In fact, Honda UK is choosing not to even offer the front-wheel-drive version here. It says most buyers of the previous CR-V went for the 4WD anyway.
Having tried both the 2WD and 4WD versions, we can tell you that they drive almost exactly the same on the road. However, the 4WD is rated for 5mpg less.
At the end of our test route, th
