2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid VS 2023 Honda CR-V Turbo: Which Powertrain Is Best?

Today I compare a 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid to a 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L Turbo!

Instagram: ben_hardypl
Facebook: @benhardycar

[rogerluli]

It looks as if I have to keep my 2014 CR-V forever with it's 2.4l NA motor, 5 spd auto, spare tire, and gets 26 mpg in all city driving and it's paid for, with 127k miles everything works perfectly...

[carlosinsf]

I noticed you had the hybrid in Sport mode when you said it was noisier. That is because the sport mode in the hybrid pipes sound into the cabin to make it sound more aggressive. If you didn’t have it in sport mode it would have been quieter than the 1.5 turbo.

[mickc]

There’s only one CVT option and it comes with the 1.5 turbo

The hybrid dose not have a CVT it has 2 electric motors one driven by the engine like a generator and one by the battery + generator.
At highway speeds it has a direct drive mode with the engine powering the wheels directly but only in a certain speed range 🤙

[heyzooz]

Great review. I'm looking to get one end of the month. Was excited for hybrid but you made a great point about driving situations. I live in rural area in New York and 90% of my driving is a 20 minute drive to work on the highway. Think I'll get the EXL. I prefer the 2L but 1.5L with Turbo should do the trick. I'm pretty excited. I had a 2007 AWD and 2012 AWD CRVs loved those then got a 2018 BMW X1 early midlife crisis haha, now I'm back to reality. This will be my first brand new car looking to keep it for a long long time. I'd love an Acura RDX A Spec but that's not happening haha. CRV for the win.

[pigxstix]

Getting an EX-L AWD, I was attracted to the Hybrid at first but the mileage isn't that much better on road trips and no spare is a deal killer for me traveling throughout the southwest US deserts and other long road trips.

[Cletus_the_Elder]

This was an excellent video. I think for most people, the decision between the hybrid and turbo is a much more difficult decision than deciding between the CR-V and other companies' competing models. Gearheads seem to be split on the engine: Some like the simplicity of the non-hybrid and others do not like anything that has a turbo attached to it. I hope you do a refresh comparison with the 2024 CR-V's, even if they haven't changed much from 2023. Honda will toss in some meaningful subtle tweaks when there are no substantial changes.

[jeffrobodeen]

on that hybrid..when you had the back liftgate open and couldn't lift up the trunk lid...let folks know...there's NO spare tire in the car...just a can of spray tire seal..which may not work....Also at 8 years or 100, 000 miles a new battery is going to cost $2, 000 to $5, 000.

[Tapered]

I think I decided on the exl and one of the drawbacks is that the hybrid does not have a spare tire, greetings, and happy new year!😊

[Traveler-PKK]

Hybrid battery can cost upto $8K. So, you get a saving then after 8 years you have to buy a new battery or get rid of the CRV.

[modernsoccer]

I like the noise, it's not droning, it mimics sports cars, trading my 2020 crv hybrid for thos one

[jmm]

Thanks Ben,
Very interesting review. We are looking for a replacement of our '18 NA Mazda CX-5, its a great handling SUV, the steering wheel feeling is great, drives like a sporty sedan. Just hate that it does not have enough power when crossing heavy traffic, the brakes take to long to stop compared to my Honda Accord V6. The rear seats do not incline as needed. Has a lovely sporty look and is very reliable with good MPG. We had a prior Honda '08 CRV and a '04 Pilot that we loved, so maybe we would come back to a new Honda CRV, they look attractive, just need to decide between the Turbo and the Hybrid, for sure better torque would be a deciding factor and good braking.👍

[Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan]

I'll perfur both of these Honda CR-V's Ben.

[yotasavage]

I wish Honda would have dressed the 1.5t a bit more. They def geared a bit more styling options on the hybrid.

[lorrainecolerealestate]

We went for the EXL because I hated the orange stitching and all black interior, just ghastly, (though guys don't seem to mind). I totally fell in love with the light leather interior of the EXL. If there was a choice of interiors I would have gone for the Hybrid because of the fuel economy. It was heart over head ;). The EXL drives like a dream and the power steering and turn circle is an improvement on the Honda 19 CRV which we traded in. We looked at the 2023 RAV 4 Toyota but it looks too ugly, kind of like a tank. I wish Honda sold dog car barriers but they don't, so it's trawling the net for a universal one from Amazon.

[HuskerLifer]

Thanks for the nice review! With regards to the “noise” in the Sport Hybrid, it’s interesting how you, as well as some others, complain/comment about the added acceleration sound in Sport mode. A) Aside from doing it for shits and giggles, is the demographic for the CRV even going to use sport mode much? B) Although I would like an option to toggle the added acceleration noise on/off, it kind of adds to the “Sport Mode” experience, if that’s what you want.

[tommymas]

Needed to do a 0-60 and actual highway driving comparison.

[veersoutlet]

This new design is awesome
More solid look

[Fadic]

The Touring has more sound insulation than other trims, the side windows are thicker and there is more insulation material in the engine bay.

The reason for the engine being louder is because there is fake engine sound from the speakers, not sure if that can be turned off.

[charliek]

Ben, how would you compare these for fast & high mountain roads, such as Salt Lake to Park City or Denver to Vail? Also, how would you compare these for passing on 2 lane roads, say 50-70 mph?

[jayray]

Come on Ben look underneath the hybrid there is only one exhaust