Honda Cars Philippines Inc. said on March 2023 that it would bring in a hybrid model this year, following the phaseout of the Honda Legend luxury sedan a few years ago.

The Japanese carmaker has made good on its promise with the launch of the all-new 2024 Honda CR-V on Sept. 13, 2023. AutoFun Philippines was the first to report that the brand’s venerable crossover would be launched with an electrified powertrain.

The top-spec CR-V RS e:HEV packs a 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. The combined output is 184 PS and 355 Nm of torque, coursed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The e:HEV full hybrid system also has an EV Drive Mode that lets the vehicle run solely on battery power. 

Meanwhile, the non-hybrid CR-V V and VX variants get a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 190 PS and 240 Nm of torque. This is likewise mated to a CVT, with standard all-wheel drive for the VX model.

HCPI president Rie Miyake called the latest CR-V "a generation of many firsts."

“As a mobility manufacturer dedicated to the environment, Honda has for decades been engaged in developing a full range of vehicle electrification technologies,” she said.

“It is the first CR-V with e:HEV technology, which delivers outstanding driver pleasure and exceptional environment performance, and i-VTEC Turbo power, which provides agile acceleration and a sophisticated driving experience with also a much environmental performance,” Miyake added.

More refined looks

Unlike Hyundai with its all-new Santa Fe, Honda Cars decided not to “reinvent the wheel” with the latest generation of the CR-V.

Up front, the standard LED headlights have grown a bit, flanking a hexagonal grill. All models come with LED foglights, but the RS e:HEV model gets body-colored trim and red RS badges for a sleeker yet sportier appearance.

Down the side, the all-new CR-V features a high beltline with an upward kink in the rear quarter windows. All models get 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with the RS e:HEV getting gloss-black mags to match the piano-black accents.

The rear end features the model’s distinctive styling cue – high-mounted LED taillights that extend into the D-pillar. An electric tailgate is standard on all variants.

The all-new CR-V is available in five colors – Lunar Silver Metallic, Metoroid Gray Metallic, Ignite Red Metallic, Canyon River Blue Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl for an additional ₱20,000.

7 seats available

Another big piece of news with the all-new CR-V is the return of the third-row seat.

AutoFun Philippines was likewise the first to report that all non-hybrid variants would come with seven seats, with the RS e:HEV being a strict five-seater because the battery pack is placed under the rear cargo floor.

 The interior design is identical to what is available on the Honda Civic. All variants get a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Non-hybrid variants get an 8-speaker sound system and the RS e:HEV comes with a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system.

Dual-zone climate control is standard in the RS e:HEV, while the non-hybrid models get tri-zone climate control with air-conditioning vents for the third row.

Other luxuries include leather upholstery and electrically adjustable front seats, with the RS e:HEV getting a heads-up display.

Packed with safety, convenience tech

As with most other Honda Cars models, all CR-Vs come standard with the excellent Honda SENSING active-safety suite with features like:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System

• Lane Keeping Assist System

• Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow

• Auto High Beam

• Adaptive Driving Beam (exclusively for the RS e:HEV CVT variant) – an intelligent LED headlight that helps enhance visibility and adjusts the height of the light beam to avoid dazzling the car in front and pedestrians

• Lead Car Departure Notification System

The all-new CR-V will also feature the app-based Honda CONNECT system. It allows customers to communicate with their vehicle, check its status and even be notified of alerts with a smartphone.

Honda CONNECT incorporates helpful features like:

• Automatic Collision Detection – automatically calls for help to ensure timely assistance

• Security Alarm Detection – sends an alert when the alarm is triggered by trespassers

• Speed Alert – allows the owner to keep an eye on how their vehicle is being driven through a series of notifications if the speed limit is exceeded

• Find My Car – helps avoid situations where the owner has difficulty locating his or her vehicle by sending a pin location to the mobile device

• Geofencing Alert – notifies the owner if the car was taken beyond a set area limit

• Emergency Calls – makes it easier to access emergency contacts through the app

• Car Status – alerts the owner of anything that requires attention and doubles as the vehicle’s diagnostic support system. This feature can also remotely check the fuel level, battery, lock and airbag status.

• Remote Vehicle Control – allows the owner to control various limited functions of his or her vehicle via the smartphone app. It includes Remote Engine Start & Stop, Remote Air Conditioner Control, Remote Lock & Unlock, and Remote Light Control

• Service Reminder – automatically reminds the owner when maintenance is due and can schedule an appointment with the nearest official service center

“More than an application, it’s a communication system with your Honda vehicle and with us,” Miyake said. “There is no doubt that the Honda CR-V is an SUV that is close to Filipino hearts, and we are confident that the all-new model will continue that legacy.”

Three variants

Pricing for the 2024 Honda CR-V is as follows:

• 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT – ₱2,590,000

• 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD – ₱2,280,000

• 1.5 V Turbo CVT – ₱2,100,000

HCPI said the CR-V V and VX variants will arrive on September 2023, with the RS e:HEV coming the month after.

You can also check out the all-new CR-V for yourself at HCPI’s Drive the Future event at the SM Mall of Asia Central Atrium on September 21 to 24, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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