Why did you Choose the Hybrid?

beww said:

I'm curious about why people here made the decision to go with the hybrid drive.
In my case it was NOT the mileage, I would have gone with the hybrid if it got the same, or even lower, mileage than the 1.5T.
I liked the mechanically (but not electronically) simpler drive train.
I have no experience with turbos, GDI or CVTs. There's nothing wrong with them, they are proven technologies, but I know more about induction motors and inverters than I do about those. I'm an electronics tech far more than I am a mechanic, and I am more comfortable with what I understand.
Since I wanted AWD anyway, the upcharge for the hybrid was only about $1200, hardly noticeable from $30K.
I love the smooth power delivery. I did drive the 1.5T first. When I drove the hybrid I knew I was going to buy it before I got off the dealer's lot (but didn't tell them that of course).
Since I bought during Covid, I was able to test drive by myself, a new experience for me, no sales pitches, but they weren't needed.
They weren't letting just anybody take off with a new car, but I had bought from them in the past, and was a steady service customer, so I guess they trusted me.
Why did you opt for the hybrid?
Inquiring minds want to know.

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Like you Beww, I was interested in the smooth power train. I don't enjoy the booming engine while you get up to speed. Very quiet cruiser. I brought mine in March 2020, right after the Covid lockdown hit. I called the dealer with the best internet price and asked to speak to the General Manager, then told him that I didn't want to play the salesman game. I had a 2017 Civic Touring Sedan. He gave me $500 over the TrueCar price for the Civic and bought me out of the lease $2,000 to the good. He had a masked and gloved salesman drive the car 15 miles to my house and gave me the key to drive around for 15 minutes while the salesman checked out the Civic for the trade. I then negotiated the price over the phone: $34,600 (sticker price $37,090) for a Touring trim, not bad. The CR-V had dealer add ons included; clear door edge guards, wheel locks, etched windows.

I then had the front windows tinted to 20% (factory is 26%), added a hood air deflector, splash guards, weather tech mats front, back and rear, immediately switched out the Continental tires for Verdestein Quatrac Pro, which TireRack rated #1 all around, bought a factory matching allow wheel and mounted one of the Continentals on that and keep that in the back, secured with ratchet straps, bought the soft sided cargo carrier for the rear, a jack on Ebay, cut the box off the cargo hatch that holds the tire pump, so I can keep a first aid kit, tire pressure guage and a few other small things out of site, bought OEM Window vent plastic extensions, adhesive film to put on the rocker panels so they don't get scuffed by feet and then had my front and rear camera installed and finally bought a new Valentine One (previous version was 7 years old and getting a little old for technology) - too many false alarms and attached it to the mirror with a Blend Mount.

In the press, many complaints about the old tech entertainment/nav/computer. It would have been nice if they put the Accord unit in, to get a bigger screen and a tuning nob. Ventilated seats would have been nice, plus the European version heads up display and electric folding outside mirrors.

Why not get the Gas 1.5T CR-V? Longevity. I plan on keeping this vehicle for 10+ years. Only 5,000 miles on it after 15 months. First oil change @ 9 months ownership and 2,000 miles. Sent oil to Blackstone labs for testing. Viscosity was right at the lower limit. High moly from factory and alot of silicone from normal breakin from seals, etc. Turns out that was the right time to change oil. Put AMS Signature oil in, rated the best. 3,000 miles since oil change. Oil on dipstick looks clear and golden like it was out of the bottle. Maintenance minder @ 50%.

Runs perfectly, no issues (knock wood). I had bought a ECU programming device for the Civic that removed the turbo lag. I would have used that on the CR-V 1.5T if I'd gone that way. Given the oil dilution issues with the turbo engine, I liked that the 2L engine is naturally aspirated. Not disappointed with my choice.

We had the older gen 1 CRV for years, as well as few of my family members had various gen CRV’s. Also had Accords twice myself, had positive experiences with all of them. When the 2001 had 200k odometer rolled over, my wife reminded me of my promise to replace it with newer one. We don't usually buy new vehicles every time, so was researching for early 5th gen in 2017-18. That’s when I learned of oil dilution issues on them. Decided to look for late 4th Gen models with 30-40k miles if possible, test drove the CVT models. Nice but was hesitant based on driving experience on highway, also really wanted the true blind spot notification. But it was available only on 5th Gen, it was said that oil dilution was resolved with 2019/2020. Heard about hybrid that I’m intrigued by. After test driving both 1.5T and hybrid and the overall performance of hybrid won me over and helps that I won’t be dealing with the uncertainty of turbo’s oil dilution resolution. Besides that the EV future is the direction to go anyhow, might as well jump in the bandwagon right away. Having improved overall MPG would be a bonus especially with the city and commuting driving. Again it’s not the big reason of our purchase, but the driving experience is.

Well I drove the gas and hybrid back to back, I felt the hybrid performed better: quieter (I understand additional insulation), seemed quicker and smoother due to torque from its electric traction motor, I thought it had a better ride (I understand it has a stiffer suspension to support extra weight of the battery pack). I realize my view is subjective however after driving both the gas and the hybrid models the gas was off the table for me. Also, I liked the idea of cutting my teeth on electrification with a hybrid (more convenient until more infastructure is built out to support full EV) I was intrigued by the higher MPG too however I've read articles that real world MPG can be disappointing for some, like 28MPG if you do a lot of high speed driving, have hills and or live in a cold climate like me. (I bet the ICE will run constantly for 4 months blowing any mileage gains I rack up in the summer LOL). This is not my first CRV, I had a gen 3, 2010 -- I didn't care for the 2010 but I am very fond of the CR V hybrid , best car I've had in a long time.