Goodbye turbo? Next-gen Honda CR-V may be hybrid-only

Honda may be taking a leaf out of Toyota’s playbook with its next-generation Honda CR-V, as a report by Automotive News claims that the new C-segment SUV could adopt a hybrid-only powertrain strategy.

For context, the current XA60-generation Toyota RAV4 adopts a hybrid-only approach, with Toyota’s long-standing C-segment SUV offering both HEV and PHEV options, depending on the market.

Currently, the Honda CR-V’s powertrain options are rather diverse, including a turbocharged petrol engine, a petrol-electric hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and even a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) with plug-in capability.

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The Automotive News report claims that Honda is planning to switch all its core models to a hybrid-only configuration, with the CR-V included in this strategy.

Closer to home, the numbers are strong too. Year-to-date (YTD) sales of the Honda CR-V stand at 2,382 units. Breaking down that figure, there is almost an even 50:50 split between the turbocharged petrol and hybrid powertrains, with 1,193 units of the former and 1,189 units of the latter.

Since the sixth-generation model’s launch, however, things have become a little more interesting.

From 2024 to 2025, the hybrid continued to account for around 20% of overall CR-V sales. However, that figure rose to 49.9% during the first seven months of 2026. Granted, there are still a couple of months left before the year ends, but if this trend continues, it could be a sign that Honda customers in Malaysia are gradually warming to the idea of a hybrid Honda CR-V.

Currently, the sixth-generation Honda CR-V is priced as follows:

• Honda CR-V 2.0 e:HEV E: RM 178,200
• Honda CR-V 1.5L V: RM 181,900
• Honda CR-V 2.0 e:HEV RS: RM 195,900