Honda has announced the first details of an all-new CR-V, set to arrive next year as a 2028 model. Considering that the current, sixth-generation CR-V is the best-selling SUV in America this year (so far), launched just over four years ago, and is Autoblog’s top-rated compact SUV for 2027, it’s somewhat of a surprise that the seventh-gen model will arrive so early. It will go on sale in 2027, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the CR-V nameplate. By far the main development is that the next CR-V will switch over to hybrid power exclusively, just like the Toyota RAV4 did last year.
New Platform, Powertrain, and Design
Honda
The current CR-V Hybrid already accounts for over half of all CR-V sales, so perhaps it’s not a huge surprise that Honda is going the hybrid-only route for the new one. Toyota has already done so with the RAV4 and Camry, while Lexus recently switched to an all-hybrid lineup for the NX.
The new two-motor Honda Hybrid System promises better performance and efficiency, with the engine able to operate over a broader range. No outputs have been mentioned, but it’s expected to improve upon the 204-horsepower effort of the existing model. A new electric AWD system will accompany the upgraded powertrain.
The next CR-V will also mark the debut of a new Honda platform, promising enhanced rigidity and a sportier driving experience. This will be a modular architecture, so we can expect it to be shared with other Honda models in the near future.
“With a 100% hybrid powertrain, the next-generation Honda CR-V will further expand the appeal of America’s most popular SUV as demand for hybrid-electric vehicles reaches record levels,” said Luis Guerra, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales.
A Bolder Design
Honda
Since the sixth-generation CR-V went on sale, the segment has welcomed all-new competitors like the latest RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. Hyundai recently unveiled a completely revised Tucson, which makes the current CR-V appear quite staid. Without sharing any design teasers other than a new CR-V badge, Honda has said we can expect a “bold new design” from the next model.
Nothing was said about the next CR-V’s interior, but expect the latest infotainment tech. We hope Honda doesn’t go the touchscreen-only route taken by Mazda with the CX-5, as the current CR-V’s cabin is refreshingly gimmick-free.
No other information has been shared, but Honda did confirm that the seventh-generation CR-V will still be built at three plants in North America, including factories in Ohio and Indiana.
Why It Matters
James Riswick
The CR-V is Honda’s most important product in the U.S. by far, accounting for a large percentage of the brand’s sales. Confirmation of an all-new, hybrid-only model immediately puts every other brand in the compact crossover segment on notice.
The next model will arrive just as the CR-V is riding a massive wave of momentum. It’s on track to sell over 400,000 units for the third consecutive year, adding to the more than 7.5 million CR-Vs that have been sold in America since the nameplate launched in the 1990s.
A big question mark for us is how Honda ends up pricing the 2028 CR-V Hybrid. The 2027 model starts at $36,030, which is thousands more than the RAV4 and numerous other electrified rivals. With the gas models to be discontinued, we expect the next CR-V range to start with a more basic hybrid trim that will at least match its rivals on price.
