Honda CR-V Hybrid: Is it really too expensive?

Honda CR-V Hybrid: Is it really too expensive?
Front 3/4 view of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid driving on a road.

Is the 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid more expensive than the competition? Yes… and no. Although price often plays a decisive role in most buyers’ purchasing process, the CR-V hybrid does offer loads of features that are sure to please.

Your Honda Laval dealership explains why the CR-V hybrid is an excellent option, offered for much less than you might think!

Comparing prices with the competition

The 2023 Honda CR-V sells for a base price of $ 51,125 and comes in a Touring trim. Good news is that for the 2024 model year, Honda has improved the CR-V hybrid model by offering two trims instead of only one. This means that the all-new EX-L model is offered at a base price of $ 48,150 and that the already existing Touring trim will sell for a base price of $ 52,010.

When it comes to the price range for competing hybrid models, it goes as follows:

Model Price Range
RAV4 hybrid $ 34,850 –$ 45,850
Hyundai Tucson hybrid $ 40,099 –$ 42,499
Ford Escape hybrid $ 40,349 –$ 47,379
Kia Sportage HEV $ 39,459 –$ 46,159

To this list we could add the Toyota Venza, although it competes more directly with the Honda Passport; however, it is now only offered in hybrid trims, with a base price that ranges between $ 41,150 and $ 50,850.

By looking at these numbers, we can see that the CR-V is indeed more expensive than the competition; however, a more in-depth look at the features it offers helps us better understand that this gap, which might seem significant at first, really is not!

Front 3/4 view of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid driving on a road.

Honda Reliability

According to the annual rankings offered by Consumer Reports, only Honda and Toyota find their spot in the Top 5 Most Reliable Auto Brands; Kia (9th), Hyundai (13th) and Ford (18th) are much further down the list.

Reliability, quality of manufacturing and the brand image linked to Honda also are reasons that not only justify a higher price; they are also a guarantee of added peace of mind!

Impressive Interior Features

The interior space offered by the CR-V hybrid definitely places it at the top of the list; exterior dimensions also give it an advantage over several of its rivals.

  CR-V RAV4 Escape Tucson Sportage Venza
Length 4,695 mm 4,596 mm 4,605 mm 4,630 mm 4,660 mm 4,740 mm
Width 1,940 mm 1,854 mm 1,882 mm 1,865 mm 1,865 mm 1,854 mm
Height 1,690 mm 1,702 mm 1,679 mm 1,685 mm 1,665 mm 1,674 mm
Wheelbase 2,700 mm 2,690 mm 2,710 mm 2,755 mm 2,755 mm 2,690 mm
Head room front/rear 970/970 mm 991/958 mm 1,016/998 mm 968/990 mm 1,006/993 mm n. d.
Cargo Space 1,028 to 2,138 L 1,059 to 1,977 L 974 to 1,721 L 1,095 to 2,119 L 876 to 1,872 L 816 to 1,560 L
  CR-V RAV4
Length 4,695 mm 4,596 mm
Width 1,940 mm 1,854 mm
Height 1,690 mm 1,702 mm
Wheelbase 2,700 mm 2,690 mm
Head room front/rear 970/970 mm 991/958 mm
Cargo Space 1,028 to 2,138 L 1,059 to 1,977 L
  Escape Tucson
Length 4,605 mm 4,630 mm
Width 1,882 mm 1,865 mm
Height 1,679 mm 1,685 mm
Wheelbase 2,710 mm 2,755 mm
Head room front/rear 1,016/998 mm 968/990 mm
Cargo Space 974 to 1,721 L 1,095 to 2,119 L
  Sportage Venza
Length 4,660 mm 4,740 mm
Width 1,865 mm 1,854 mm
Height 1,665 mm 1,674 mm
Wheelbase 2,755 mm 2,690 mm
Head room front/rear 1,006/993 mm n. d.
Cargo Space 876 to 1,872 L 816 to 1,560 L

As you can see, the CR-V hybrid offers an amount of cargo space that is a lot more generous than what is offered by its rivals… which is a significant advantage.

Side view of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid driving down a city boulevard.

Compared to fuel trims

The 2023 CR-V hybrid might be more expensive than the competition, but it does sell for only $ 2,000 more than the equivalent fuel trim. This is not the case for several of the competing brands. In fact, if you want to enjoy a Ford Escape hybrid model, you will have to pay anywhere between $ 4,000 and $ 6,000 more, just for this type of powertrain.

An impressive array of technologies and amenities

The 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid offers a wide selection of on-board technologies and evolved safety features, which are not always standard offered on the competing models. Here is a sample of what you will find on your CR-V hybrid:

  • A reduced impact braking system
  • Front collision alert
  • Lane departure alert
  • Rear seat reminder alert
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Traffic Jam Assist
  • Road sign recognition
  • Driver attention monitor
  • Heated front and rear seats
  • A 12- speaker BOSE sound system
  • A navigation system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Wireless cellphone charging
  • And so much more.

Some of the CR-V hybrid’s competing models might be offered at a lower base price, but they do not offer all of this equipment; if we were to add it, then the difference in price would be much lower, and maybe even nonexistent. 

A person is holding a mobile with the Android Auto app, inside the 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid.

Takeaway

The 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid sells for a base price that is higher than the competition; to its credit, it offers numerous advantages its rivals do not:

  • A more generous amount of cargo space
  • Loads of equipment
  • Outstanding reliability
  • Honda high-standards for quality

Would you like to find out more about the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid or about the newest 2024 trims? Would you like to have more information regarding Honda financing options? Come and visit us at Honda Laval today!