Could the 2024 Honda CR-V be the brand’s first new hybrid model in the Philippines?

The 2024 Honda CR-V is set to make its debut in Thailand on March 20, 2023. The new version of the seven-seater crossover brings revised styling, a new set of engines, and a new slew of features.

Aside from this, the 2024 Honda CR-V will reportedly be available with a 2.0-liter hybrid drivetrain. 

As Honda Philippines sources its vehicles from Thailand, we could see the 2024 Honda CR-V hit our shores reasonably quickly. 

It does raise the question, will the 2024 Honda CR-V be the brand’s first new-generation hybrid in the Philippines?

Also Read: The Hybrids are coming! 2023 Honda CR-V making ASEAN debut at Bangkok International Motor Show

First hybrid?

To recall, the Honda CR-Z was the Honda’s first hybrid vehicle in the country. However, it had a lukewarm welcome as few were interested in adopting the technology. The hatchback would later be pulled from the local lineup without any successor.

However, the car-buying market has changed since then, and hybrid vehicles have become more popular. So if the 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid were to enter the Philippines, it wouldn’t be the first hybrid, but it could be the first hybrid crossover.

As a backgrounder, the new 2.0-liter hybrid drivetrain comes with an electric motor with a total system output of 204 PS and 335 Nm of torque. It is mated to a CVT and could come in all-wheel drive. 

Now that the Honda Accord is out of the Philippine market, the Honda CR-V is the flagship model in terms of price. 

The new seven-seater crossover now takes the top hierarchy, which could be an ideal position to reintroduce hybrid technology into the Honda Philippines local lineup. 

Honda could then introduce other hybrid models soon after it to complete its hybrid lineup.

What are the other options?

Honda Philippines could bring other hybrid models into the local market before the arrival of the 2024 Honda CR-V. The Japanese automaker has choices between the Honda City hybrid and the Honda Civic hybrid, already available in Thailand.

The Japanese automaker could launch one of these models first to kick things off, then launch the 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid as the crowning jewel of its hybrid lineup.

Ideally, Honda should start with the Honda City, as it is a volume driver, then work its way up to the Honda Civic, as its local lineup has been reworked by dropping its entry-level model.

Streamlining the Civic’s variant lineup could indicate that the brand is ready to bring in the new RS e: HEV variant, which has replaced the RS Turbo as the new top-of-the-line model. 

Starting with the Honda City Hybrid

In the case of Honda City, it could pave the way for the segment for hybridization. Currently, the subcompact sedan segment does not have a hybrid vehicle available which opens Honda to be a pioneer in the segment.

The main rival of the City, the new DNGA-based Toyota Vios (Specs | News), does not currently have a hybrid version available. However, in other markets, there are talks of a hybrid version being available soon. 

Honda could wait for Toyota to make the first move, then fire off the Honda City hybrid as a response. 

Either way, it will be a waiting game to see what Honda Philippines will have in store once the 2024 Honda CR-V launches in the country. It could reignite the era of hybridization for the Japanese automaker, with a fresh lineup of hybrid vehicles entering the market soon.