Long Term Test: 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Editor’s note: Watch for our full long term test review coming soon to Vicariousmag.com.

There’s a quiet confidence to the 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the kind that doesn’t need big wings, booming exhausts or oversized badging to make its point. Instead, it wins you over kilometre by kilometre, through refinement, ease of use, and the kind of balanced driving experience that simply feels right. And when finished in Radiant Red Metallic with a black leather interior, as our tester was, the CR-V Hybrid adds just enough visual flair to match its polished road manners.

Honda introduced the hybrid powertrain to the Canadian market a few years ago, and it has quickly become the most compelling version of the CR-V lineup. The 2025 model doesn’t reinvent its winning formula, but it does sharpen it. With more Canadians choosing electrification for both efficiency and capability, the CR-V Hybrid offers a practical middle ground; effortless, smooth, and capable in all four seasons thanks to standard all-wheel drive.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the hood is Honda’s well-proven 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with a two-motor hybrid system and an e-CVT. Combined output feels stronger than the numbers suggest, thanks to 247 pound-feet of torque delivered early and smoothly. Around town, the hybrid system is especially impressive. It glides away from stoplights with quiet assurance, often running on electric power alone before the gas engine joins in seamlessly.

Hard acceleration does create a noticeable engine hum, typical for hybrid systems of this type, but it never overwhelms the cabin, and most drivers will appreciate the linear, predictable response. The CR-V Hybrid won’t out-sprint the turbocharged competition, but that’s not its mission. What it offers instead is a sense of ease: immediate torque for merging, composed passing power, and terrific low-speed drivability.

On the highway, the CR-V Hybrid settles into a relaxed rhythm. The hybrid assistance is less dramatic at higher speeds, but fuel savings remain respectable, and the cabin remains pleasantly quiet. Wind and road noise are impressively subdued for a vehicle in this class, reinforcing the sense that Honda tuned this SUV for comfort, not conflict.

Ride & Handling

Honda has long excelled at building everyday vehicles that feel more premium than their class suggests, and the CR-V Hybrid continues that tradition. The ride quality is supple without being soft, firm without being harsh. Rough pavement around the outskirts of Niagara presented no challenge; bumps were smoothed out with confidence, and body motions remained controlled.

Steering feel is another highlight. While not sporty, it’s accurate and nicely weighted, helping the CR-V Hybrid feel stable on the highway and predictable in corners. It’s a crossover that doesn’t mind being pushed a little on winding roads, though it’s just as happy cruising comfortably at a steady pace. Winter drivers will appreciate the standard Real Time AWD system, which reacts quickly when road conditions deteriorate.

Interior & Comfort

Step inside and the CR-V Hybrid continues its theme of quiet refinement. Honda’s black leather interior gives the cabin a purposeful, upscale atmosphere, accented by contrasting stitching and metallic trim. The seats, heated in both front and rear in hybrid trims, are supportive enough for long drives, with generous adjustability for the driver.

The overall layout is clean and functional. Honda’s mesh-accented air vent design stretches across the dash, adding a touch of modern simplicity, and the physical climate controls remain refreshingly easy to use. Everything is where you expect it to be, no learning curve, no fuss, just intuitive usability.

Rear-seat space is excellent. Adults fit comfortably with plenty of legroom and headroom, and the wide-opening doors make child-seat installation straightforward. Cargo capacity is another strength, offering ample space for weekend getaways, Costco runs, or road-trip luggage. Fold the rear seats and the CR-V Hybrid becomes an even more versatile companion.

Technology & Features

Our Radiant Red Metallic tester was equipped with Honda’s 9.0-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad. The interface is clear and responsive, though Honda’s menu design remains more functional than flashy. The audio system delivers good clarity, and the hybrid trims include a full suite of Honda Sensing safety technologies, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more.

While the CR-V Hybrid doesn’t chase the ultra-luxury technology trend with oversized screens or elaborate ambient lighting, its tech story is grounded in reliability and ease of use. Everything works the way you expect it to, which is exactly what most owners want from their daily driver.

Fuel Economy

Efficiency is one of the CR-V Hybrid’s greatest strengths. City driving is where it truly shines, with the electric motors doing much of the work during low-speed acceleration and coasting. Highway consumption is a little less dramatic; hybrids generally benefit more in urban environments, but the overall picture is compelling. For families, commuters, and road-trip regulars, the fuel savings will add up quickly.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid doesn’t flaunt its abilities. Instead, it wins over drivers through thoughtful refinement, practical features, and a balanced driving experience that rises above many of its rivals. The hybrid system adds smoothness and efficiency without complicating the driving experience, while the interior offers comfort and simplicity in equal measure.

In Radiant Red Metallic with black leather, it’s a sharp-looking vehicle that carries itself with understated confidence, an ideal companion for the everyday Canadian driver who wants a crossover that simply gets everything right.

If the future of mainstream crossovers is hybrid-powered, quiet, comfortable, and capable in all weather, then Honda is already there. The 2025 CR-V Hybrid is proof.

2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Price as Tested: $50,300 CAD
Engine: 2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder + two-motor hybrid
Transmission: e-CVT
Drivetrain: Real Time AWD
Horsepower: 204 hp (combined system output equivalent)
Torque: 247 pound-feet of torque
Fuel Economy (est.): 6.0–6.4 L/100 km city; 6.9–7.2 L/100 km highway
Seating: 5
Cargo Capacity: 1,028 L behind 2nd row; 2,030 L with seats folded
Colour Tested: Radiant Red Metallic
Interior: Black leather with contrast stitching
Warranty: 3-year/60,000 km comprehensive; 5-year/100,000 km powertrain
Website: Honda Canada

Fun Fact: The CR-V Hybrid’s two-motor system is so seamless that at low speeds, the gas engine often shuts off entirely, letting the SUV glide silently through city traffic on electric power alone. Most drivers don’t even notice the transition.