Honda Makes the 2028 CR-V Hybrid-Only

Honda says the redesigned 2028 CR-V will be sold only as a hybrid, ending the gasoline-only option when the next generation arrives in 2027. The announcement marks a shift for the compact SUV, which currently comes with either a gasoline engine or a hybrid powertrain.

The 2028 model will begin the CR-V’s seventh generation and use a new two-motor hybrid system, Honda said. The company expects the system to improve fuel efficiency by more than 10 percent compared with the outgoing hybrid setup. That figure is a target from Honda; final fuel-economy ratings and power figures have not been announced.

Honda says more than half of CR-V sales are already hybrids. The company’s decision makes the hybrid powertrain standard across the redesigned lineup, rather than an option alongside a gasoline-only version. The 2028 model is expected to arrive in 2027.

The new hybrid system is also expected to provide more power, according to Honda. The company has said its revised system expands the range in which the engine operates efficiently. Further details about the vehicle’s specifications and design remain limited, though Honda has previewed a new badge. One report says the vehicle will have a...