knew I wouldn’t get away
with it. You caught me. In
the opening report on our
long-term Honda CR-V
Hybrid, I omitted the car’s towing
limit. It was with good reason.
Paying the issue the necessary lip-
s e r v ic e w a s a l w ay s i n my pl a n s , but I
h a d n’t e x p e c t e d t he f lu r r y of le t t e r s
and emails that would arrive from
our scrupulous readers. A big ‘thank
you’ to those who took the time
to write in – your own real-world
experiences are a joy to read and
reflecting those is the raison d’être
for our long-term tests.
The quoted maximum braked
towing weight of the Honda CR-V
Hy br id i s 75 0k g. It ’s i mp or t a nt
to note, at this point, that this
recommended limit increases
elsewhere in the range, with the
manual-’boxed petrol derivative able
to lug the largest trailers at 2000kg.
Why such a response from
Autocar’s readership? Well, the
hybrid drivetrain has replaced the
I
Getting to grips with our hybrid SUV’s biggest potential drawback
HONDA CR-V HYBRID
Boot can swallow loads; seats lack
side support over long distances
diesel (which could tow 2000kg)
in the CR-V line-up, meaning the
traditional tow-car option of a
grunty oil-burner is no longer
available to caravanners, yachtists,
equestrians and the like.
As I outlined in that opening
report, the CR-V has an
unconventional, albeit very
clever, powertrain. It’s a hybrid
transmission, described by Honda
a s a n e C V T, t h at i s h appi l y r e t u r n i n g
43mpg at the moment –a pleasing
result for a car of this size and weight.The restriction, however, in the
drivetrain is that the clutch used to
engage the combustion engine drive
and electric drive systems together
has a relatively low maximum
torque rating, which in turn limits
the maximum towing rating of the
hybrid version of this car.
Is this the same on all hybrids?
Those who tow surely have similar
environmental concerns as the
rest of us. Does the UK automotive
i ndu s t r y ’s pu sh t o w a rd hy br id p e t r ol-
electric drive present a wider problem
to the towing community?
It’s a complicated answer at the
moment, because the sector is still
germinating, but there are hybrid
SUVs out there that offer larger
towing capacities. Perhaps the most
threatening of those to the CR-V is
the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, which can
pull 1650kg, while more premium
offerings in the form of the Lexus
RX450h (2000kg) and Volvo XC90
T 8 Tw i n E n g i ne (2 4 0 0k g) c a n ho ok
up to and haul even heavier trailers.
That said, a fair few hybridised
cars from all segments max out
their tow capacity around the 750kg
mark of the CR-V Hybrid. Clearly,
then, while the instantaneoustorque on tap from electrification
could have obvious towing benefits,
the components involved in this
complicated tech are restricting their
load capacity for the time being.
Our car doesn’t have a tow bar,
so I won’t be testing these limits
first-hand, but last week I did trace
a path that many others will do with
a caravan in their rear-view mirror
this summer. A long weekend on the
north Devon coast allowed me to
OWN ONE? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
HONDA CR-V 2.0 i-MMD
HYBRID SR AWD ECVT
Price £34,470 Price as tested £35,320
Faults None Expenses None
Economy 43.0mpg Last seen 31.7.19
TEST DATA
stretch the car’s hamstrings along
the A303 past Stonehenge and test
its holidaying proficiency, albeit in
fixed accommodation.
The CR-V Hybrid displays a lot of
merits: 42.7mpg, ample front and
rear space for adults, a huge boot that
swallowed bodyboards, wetsuitsand frisbees, and a ride so well-
controlled that my other half napped
comfortably through most of her own
surf-themed Spotify playlist.
A personal gripe is that the driver’s
seat doesn’t quite suit my body shape
ov e r fou r hou r s at t he w he e l. L e t ’s
politely describe my physique as
‘American’ in width, meaning side-
support is a little lacking.
You don’t notice how technically
complicated the drivetrain is on
a journey such as this. The shifts
between combustion engine and EV
mode are seamless when getting up
to speed, and the eCVT transmission
makes for a relaxed cruise. Add in
t h i s c a r ’s l a ne k e e p a s si s t a nd r a d a r
cruise control that aren’t far off an
autonomous driving experience, and
you’ve got a stress-free schlepp down
to the seaside.
Is the Honda CR-V Hybrid good
for a family holiday? Absolutely.
Ju s t don’t e x p e c t t o pu l l y ou r ow n
accommodation behind you.MITCH McCABE
PRESS THE WHAT NOW?
Finding radio text in the
infotainment takes a PhD
in computing.
PLUG AND PLAY
Two USB sockets in the rear
cabin keep passengers of all
ages happily connected.
LOATHE IT
LOVE IT
MILEAGE 3752
WHY WE’RE RUNNING IT
Is the world’s best-selling SUV still
as comfy, refined, spacious and
dynamically competent in hybrid form?
68 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 14 AUGUST 2019