The Hybrid Blog » Honda

2009 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Leroy Brown — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:30:46 +0000

Honda hasn’t yet announced such a vehicle, but they should. Rather than wait for Honda to make the announcement, I’ve decided to give my take on what the 09 CR-V Hybrid should be all about. The opportunity is huge, and the potential ridiculous. Read on to get the specs.

2009 Honda CR-V Hybrid Specs

125 HP 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine
30 HP electric motor
Combined 150 HP IMA System
Curb weight: 3640 lbs
EPA Ratings: 33 MPG city / 34 MPG highway

The Civic Hybrid ( the only other vehicle currently using Honda’s excellent IMA hybrid system ) gets a 60% city MPG boost and a 25% highway MPG boost over the gas only civic. Translating those numbers over to the CR-V hybrid gets us a whopping 33 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. Realistically those numbers are extremely conservative. For the 09 CR-V hybrid I chose to use the Civic 1.8 liter engine, rather than the conventional 2.4 liter engine in the CR-V. Why, you ask? Well, the current 166 HP is an awful lot, and the CR-V has no problem getting up and going. It has power to spare, without a doubt. Using the smaller 1.8 liter engine will not reduce the power to a dangerous level, and it will improve efficiency.

Also, given the larger size of the CR-V, I accounted for a 50% larger battery pack ( reflected in the weight ), and a 50% more powerful electric motor. A special lightweight, aerodynamic 16″ rim will replace the regular 17″ alloys as well. Leaving out the sunroof will also help keep the weight increase in check.

Estimated pricing for the 2009 CR-V Hybrid will start at $27450. That’s $4500 more than the CR-V EX – a reasonable premium given the huge MPG increase. For comparison, the Escape Hybrid starts at $26,640.

To jump from 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway all the way to 33 MPG city and 34 MPG highway is a huge feat. The price jump of $4500 is just an estimate, but it could well be way too high. As Honda builds more hybrids and begins to enjoy an economy of scale, IMA parts will begin to cost less. Within a short time, the premium could be down as low as the $2500-$3000 range. Honda – you’ve had a huge amount of success with the CR-V. Don’t keep us waiting for a CR-V Hybrid. I’d be in line to buy one as soon as you announce it.

2008 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Leroy Brown — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:33:07 +0000

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?

Honda Civic Recall

Leroy Brown — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:49:31 +0000

The recently announced 2006-2007 Honda Civic Sedan recall does include hybrids, by the looks of things. If you’re a proud owner of an HCH-II, then you might want to keep any eye on your mailbox for a notice from Honda.

Honda Hybrid Tax Credits Going Away

Leroy Brown — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:24:41 +0000

Honda announced that they should hit the magic number of 60,000 hybrid sold sometime in the 4th quarter this year. What does it mean to you? Well, the full tax credit will end at the end of this calender year, and will quickly drop over the next year, until it is gone completely. If you’re in the market for a Honda Hybrid ( I strongly recommend the Civic Hybrid ), now would be the time. Well, at least before the end of the year. As long as you qualify, a tax credit is free money, and you shouldn’t pass it up. I’d recommend not waiting until the very end of the year, as there may be a rush on the Civic Hybrid, which could limit availability.