Overview
- Honda announced on Thursday that the seventh-generation CR-V will be sold only as a two-motor hybrid for the 2028 model year.
- The new CR-V rides on an all-new, lighter modular platform and adds an electric rear-axle AWD unit to improve rigidity and driving efficiency.
- Honda is targeting more than a 10% fuel-economy gain for the new hybrid system, with front-wheel-drive models theoretically approaching mid-40s MPG combined.
- North American production will stay at East Liberty, Greensburg and Alliston, while hybrid modules will be built in Ohio with capacity rising roughly 250% and the Anna Engine Plant retooled for a new Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder.
- The decision follows strong hybrid demand — hybrids now make up over half of CR-V sales and the model is about 30% of Honda's volume — but dropping a non-hybrid entry could raise starting prices and put pressure on platform cost savings to keep the CR-V affordable.