Honda is going all-in on electrification with its best-selling SUV. Honda has confirmed that the redesigned 2028 Honda CR-V will go on sale next year with an exclusively hybrid powertrain. With the new CR-V, Honda is killing off the traditional gas-only version of the CR-V in the U.S. The new CR-V will be offered in its seventh generation with a new platform, updated styling and the automaker’s next-generation two-motor hybrid system.
This announcement isn’t all that surprising, as the hybrid version of the Honda CR-V has become incredibly popular. More than half of all CR-V sales come from the hybrid models, and the number of CR-V hybrids sold per year has nearly increased tenfold since the model was introduced in 2020.
Under the hood, the 2028 Honda CR-V will be the first model to introduce Honda’s fifth-generation two-motor hybrid system. The new hybrid system promises improvements to performance and fuel efficiency. Honda has increased the operating range where the gasoline engine operates most efficiently, and has improved efficiency of the hybrid drive unit as well.
In addition, the CR-V will also debut a new, newly developed electric all-wheel-drive unit. Honda hasn’t announced any horsepower or torque figures for the new hybrid system, but it claims that the new CR-V hybrid will have more power than the current CR-V.
In terms of fuel economy, Honda is aiming for more than a 10% increase in efficiency from its next-generation hybrid technology. While it remains to be seen how much of this increase in efficiency will make its way to the production CR-V, the redesigned SUV could be quite a bit more fuel efficient than the current model.
The 2028 Honda CR-V will also introduce an entirely new platform for the SUV. The automaker claims that the new platform will improve rigidity while also making the vehicle lighter.
Honda hasn’t announced when it will reveal the 2028 Honda CR-V.
