The Hybrid Blog

This isn’t a post about the latest hybrid from Honda – rather, it’s about a hybrid that isn’t, but should be. One of the supposed benefits of Honda’s IMA hybrid system is the adaptability. Supposedly, the IMA system is easily adaptable to different vehicles, and it costs less to outfit these vehicles with the hybrid system. Why is it, then, that Toyota has far more models available with their more technologically advanced HSD than Honda has with their IMA?

The Honda CR-V is currently the bestselling SUV in America. A big part of the reason is that it gets excellent gas mileage, as far as SUV’s. go. 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway is great for an SUV – but terrible compared to what it could be. If Honda would take the time to offer a CR-V Hybrid, mileage would far exceed that of the conventional version, and likely exceed that of the popular Ford Escape Hybrid. Shooting from the hip, I don’t think it would be unreasonable to see mileage ratings of 31 city / 34 highway for a CR-V Hybrid. That’s on the new EPA scale, so with caution those numbers could easily be exceeded.

A Hybrid CR-V would likely cost you an extra $3,000 or so, compared to a comparable gas-only CR-V. Even with the upcoming diminished federal tax credit, I would consider that a bargain. Currently Honda would only have to compete with the Ford Escape Hybrid and it’s clones. I think anyone would agree that the CR-V is a much, much nicer vehicle than the Escape – nothing against Ford – thems just the facts.

So come on Honda – step up and give us what we want – a hybrid CR-V. Beat Toyota at the hybrid game, and do it in style. After all, I don’t see any hybrid RAV4′s around, do you?

Filed under: Honda

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