Yes this is a hybrid that can seem a bit underpowered on long uphill grades. When I took my 2025 CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring on the same road (LA to Las Vegas) I'd traveled many times before in my V6 Toyota Highlander, on one long 6% grade, the engine was getting unusually loud. I'd never heard that around town. The next time I take this trip, I suppose I could just take the Highlander. But I think the best option is just to slow down a bit, and instead of going up a 6% grade at 75 mph (the speed limit here is 70 and many are going 80), I slowed down to maybe 65 and just joined the RVs and vans in the slow lane. Besides, there are some key advantages of the CR-V over say, my Highlander; not only is it considerably quieter and more comfortable, it's getting about 35 mpg on the highway, as opposed to the 21 the Highlander gets.