[williamsji]

The hybrid is a turbo? I didn’t think it was

The new 2023 hybrid indeed has a turbo on the 2.0 engine. If first noticed it on the Honda US website in photos of the power train in the new 2023 hybrid.. and it was like "whoa! ... is that a small Mitsubishi turbo I see mounted to the front of the engine?" So I went searching for more info from reviewers.

Under the hood, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined output of 204 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available. In contrast, the current 2022 CR-V Hybrid is only available with all-wheel drive.

source: 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Redesign Info, Photos, Pricing, Release Date.

I expect they may have done this to address perceptions of weak driving power augmentation from the ICE in the current generation (you know.. with the direct engage eCVT at certain speeds). Probably also to compete with RAV4 perceived performance in the market. My guess is it is to optimize delivery of torque when needed. The new powertrain can put out 247 pounds of torque between the two drive motors and the ICE. The new hybrid also now has 1000 lb towing capacity and so that might have been a factor as well.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

The new 2023 hybrid indeed has a turbo on the 2.0 engine.

On the very 1st post of this thread, where I have linked to Honda's press release - it makes no mention of this.

I suspect the link you referenced is incorrect

 

[williamsji]

On the very 1st post of this thread, where I have linked to Honda's press release - it makes no mention of this.

I suspect the link you referenced is incorrect

Definitely possible, but not enough actual info from Honda yet to be sure.

This is where Honda's cagey slow walking phased reveals of information all year long do not help. There is still a dearth of Honda sourced info on the new hybrid drive system, and almost nothing covered by reviewers yet about what is under the hood on the hybrid. And Honda is being extra cagey about what the CVT will be too. Honda is not using the eCVT term, but is that a clerical oversight, or are they actually putting a real CVT in the new system, like their competitors do? We don't know yet.

First I became aware of them allegedly slapping a turbo on it as I was looking at stylized photos of the power train on the Honda site. I could clearly see a small turbo on the front, where I did not expect to see one. That got my head scratching going.

Next I started scanning reviews online seeking confirmation (since Honda has not yet published their formal spec page on the Hybrids yet on the US site). I found about a third of them confirmed the alleged presence of a turbo and the rest simply stated a 2.0 hybrid system. So, there is definitely some ambiguity to be resolved. Very little in the way of under the hood coverage online yet, which honestly surprises me. Makes me wonder what Honda is holding back.

As we both know though.. reviews can be sketchy... so we will have to wait for the actual release of the hybrid specs later this month on the US Honda site to put the matter to rest. There have been a few wonky things (such as needing 91 octane) that don't make sense and may just be editorial mistakes by Honda, and that could include the use of advance photos and diagrams on their main site.

 

[Dans15]

Not sure if this topic has already been beaten to death, but my dealer has specs on a number of inbound 2023 1.5Ts. In all cases, the description is “Premium unleaded 1.5 turbocharged engine”.

Premium fuel may offer some advantages here, but living in an area where the regular/premium price delta is $.70-$.90/ gallon, this is hardly inconsequential. And I wonder how many buyers will follow the recommendation and what consequences may result.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

As we both know though.. reviews can be sketchy... so we will have to wait for the actual release of the hybrid specs later this month on the US Honda site to put the matter to rest. There have been a few wonky things (such as needing 91 octane) that don't make sense and may just be editorial mistakes by Honda, and that could include the use of advance photos and diagrams on their main site.

Indeed - plenty of pressers go out, laden with inaccuracies

And I wonder how many buyers will follow the recommendation and what consequences may result.

As long as folk arent filling up with diesel, cooking oil or water, they should be alright

 

[D2s]

No turbo on the hybrid.
But I'm sure it will be the more refined version of the already refined hybrid powertrain.

Extract from the Honda official site

For a sportier driving experience, the 2023 CR-V Sport ($32,4501) will come standard with the new hybrid system featuring a more refined 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine. Combined system output climbs to 204 hp4 (ISO net; a 3 hp increase), while the traction-motor peak torque rises to 247 lb.-ft. (up 15 lb.-ft.). Moreover, the hybrid powertrain brings a major fuel economy benefit compared to the 1.5L Turbo powertrain, with an EPA city rating of 43 mpg in the city for Sport versus 28 mpg for EX/EX-L, and a combined rating of 40 mpg for Sport versus 30 mpg for EX/EX-L (all with 2WD). Sport also features even bolder styling that includes gloss black exterior accents, rectangular exhaust finishers and Berlina Black 18-inch wheels. Inside, Sport-specific seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel are standard.

At $38,6001, the Sport Touring will sit atop the CR-V lineup, also featuring the new, more-powerful 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain, along with standard all-wheel drive and larger 19-inch wheels and tires. Inside, a new 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with Bose Centerpoint technology and SurroundStage digital signal processing has been custom-engineered to deliver an optimal listening experience for all passengers regardless of their seating position. Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ and Wi-Fi Hotspot capability are also standard.

 

[Curlymoe]

The new powertrain can put out 247 pounds of torque between the two drive motors and the ICE. The new hybrid also now has 1000 lb towing capacity and so that might have been a factor as well.

So you are thinking there will be two electric motors? I remember reading that in the review you quoted, but have never seen it in any of the Honda literature so far.
Features by Trim - 2023 Honda CR-V :

• Latest-generation 2-motor hybrid powertrain
• 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine with multi-stage high-pressure direct injection
• AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor

I was assuming that meant ICE and one electric.

Honda has certainly kept it confusing so far. And that 91 octane deal definitely threw me off.

 

[jgregson00]

Not sure if this topic has already been beaten to death, but my dealer has specs on a number of inbound 2023 1.5Ts. In all cases, the description is “Premium unleaded 1.5 turbocharged engine”.

Premium fuel may offer some advantages here, but living in an area where the regular/premium price delta is $.70-$.90/ gallon, this is hardly inconsequential. And I wonder how many buyers will follow the recommendation and what consequences may result.

It's published on other official Honda pages, including the main CR-V page listing EPA estimates, that it just uses regular unleaded.

 

[williamsji]

So you are thinking there will be two electric motors? I remember reading that in the review you quoted, but have never seen it in any of the Honda literature so far.
Features by Trim - 2023 Honda CR-V :

• Latest-generation 2-motor hybrid powertrain
• 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine with multi-stage high-pressure direct injection
• AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor

I was assuming that meant ICE and one electric.

Honda has certainly kept it confusing so far. And that 91 octane deal definitely threw me off.

From descriptions I have read, they definitely have gone with two motors in the new CRV. But I am not sure if this is yet another "lost in translation" understanding because technically the gen5 hybrid had two motors too.. but one was really the power generator driven by the ICE I believe.

Add this to the growing list of things to "wait and see about" when Honda actually puts up their spec pages in the US website later this monoth.

 

[williamsji]

Not sure if this topic has already been beaten to death, but my dealer has specs on a number of inbound 2023 1.5Ts. In all cases, the description is “Premium unleaded 1.5 turbocharged engine”.

Premium fuel may offer some advantages here, but living in an area where the regular/premium price delta is $.70-$.90/ gallon, this is hardly inconsequential. And I wonder how many buyers will follow the recommendation and what consequences may result.

The consensus "from our collective arm chairs" is that this is an error, and that they stated the "clinical" (RON) octane definition, rather than the actual octane labels at the pump. Why we have to have multiple different octane measures is beyond me.. but we live with it I guess.

But like a growing list of confusions surrounding gen6 right now.. we have to wait and see the final spec documents when Honda puts them up

 

[Dans15]

The consensus "from our collective arm chairs" is that this is an error, and that they stated the "clinical" (RON) octane definition, rather than the actual octane labels at the pump. Why we have to have multiple different octane measures is beyond me.. but we live with it I guess.

But like a growing list of confusions surrounding gen6 right now.. we have to wait and see the final spec documents when Honda puts them up

American Honda website now has 2023 CRV info up and regular unleaded is spec’d.

 

[williamsji]

American Honda website now has 2023 CRV info up and regular unleaded is spec’d.

As expected.

Still waiting on the hybrid specs though (due later this month). I'm sure it will use regular unleaded too, but there are a host of things about the new hybrid drive power train that we need better clarifications on.

 

[Canucksfan250]

As expected.

Still waiting on the hybrid specs though (due later this month). I'm sure it will use regular unleaded too, but there are a host of things about the new hybrid drive power train that we need better clarifications on.

A YouTube reviewer said they’ll be driving the hybrid late next week. I think it will be the 12th as I heard there is a Honda event then. So I guess we’ll find out what’s going on next week!

 

[jgregson00]

Honda now has the owner's manual for the 2023 Hybrid models online (but, oddly, not the regular CR-V). As expected, in the specs it says "unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 87 or higher"

Owner's Manual 2023 CR-V Hybrid

For those extremely concerned about LED vs regular bulbs, the rear turn signal lights are not LED and neither is the vanity mirror light. Everything else is LED

Also, as confirmation that Navigation is indeed available, there is a separate Navigation owners manual posted as well.

 

[MedievalGuy]

Also, as confirmation that Navigation is indeed available, there is a separate Navigation owners manual posted as well.

Could I please get a link to that as well? Thanks!

 

[jgregson00]

Could I please get a link to that as well? Thanks!

Here's the main page for all the manuals. I assume the non-Hybrid owners manual will be posted there fairly soon as well...

2023 Honda CR-V manuals

 

[Curlymoe]

From owner's manual it looks like hybrid does have same setup as Gen5 with one electric motor, if I'm understanding it correctly; ICE, electric motor, generator.
"Your SPORT HYBRID i-MMD vehicle uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine as propulsion sources, with the electric motor receiving electricity from an internal High Voltage battery and/or internal generator. The High Voltage battery is charged from the generator driven by the engine or regenerative braking"

 

[williamsji]

Good to see Honda now offers an interactive web based owners manual... not just a PDF of the printed manual.

Going to dig through it today and see if we can eliminate some of the question marks raised from conflicting reports of features and specs online.

 

[williamsji]

From owner's manual it looks like hybrid does have same setup as Gen5 with one electric motor, if I'm understanding it correctly; ICE, electric motor, generator.
"Your SPORT HYBRID i-MMD vehicle uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine as propulsion sources, with the electric motor receiving electricity from an internal High Voltage battery and/or internal generator. The High Voltage battery is charged from the generator driven by the engine or regenerative braking"

To clarify, from what I can find so far, it appears to be a "4th generation iMMD" system (current CRV hybrids are generaton 3), so I would imagine it continues to use the dual motor/generator setup (where one is the drive motor and one is the power generator as per prior iMMD). What is different though is they have changed the motors to be side by side rather than tandem, allegedly so they could put slightly larger motors in for roughly the same cost.

The "two motor" theme for Honda iMMD existed in the 3rd generation marketing and branding too, which the media worked hard to misrepresent as two actual drive motors (I guess because Honda called then both drive motors/generators in their marketing materials). I commonly see media describe it "a pair of electric motors", even today... technically true I guess... but needlessly confusing.

I'm thinking now the 2.0 with a turbo is a scattered media red herring... and it will indeed be normally aspirated. What has changed though is they moved to direct injection in the motor (no more port injection), so I wonder if they have also changed the compression ratio on the engine or not (lowered it).

No real idea yet about what the transmission is. Honda is calling it a CVT I believe, so that just further confuses things, as it may or may not be a direct clutch eCVT like in the gen5 hybrids.

 

[Azzdesigner]

I saw it on youtube, Georgetown.ca has a Sport trim in stock
i am surprise they have the hybrid ahead of the gas version