CR-V Goes Hybrid Hard

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. kicked off 2026 with a familiar name but a very different lineup. The refreshed Honda CR-V has officially landed in the Philippines, unveiled at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, and the big headline is simple. The CR-V is now mostly hybrid.

After its regional debut in Thailand late last year, the new CR-V arrives locally with three variants. Two are now e:HEV hybrids, while only one keeps a pure turbo gasoline setup.

Three Variants, Two Hybrids

The range opens with the V Turbo HuNT CVT. It runs a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine paired with a CVT, sending power to the front wheels. Output stands at 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.

The big shift happens in the middle. The VX e:HEV e-CVT now goes hybrid. It combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle VTEC engine producing 148 PS and 183 Nm with a dual-traction electric motor rated at 184 PS and 335 Nm. Power flows to the front wheels through an e-CVT.

At the top sits the RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT. It uses the same electrified setup as the VX but adds Real-Time AWD, giving the CR-V hybrid traction on all four wheels for the first time in the local lineup.

Same Shape, Sharper Details

Visually, the 2026 CR-V keeps its familiar proportions. Updates are subtle but noticeable. New 18-inch alloy wheels wear wider 235/60 tires, while exterior trim pieces and blacked-out accents freshen the look.

The HuNT styling package, exclusive to the V Turbo variant, adds copper accents on the grille and fog lights, silver highlights on the lower bumper, black wheel arch cladding, and silver running boards for a tougher stance.

Safety and Tech Go Standard

All variants come loaded with Honda Sensing, the brand’s full driver-assist suite. This includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high-beam, and lead car departure notification. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are now standard across the board.

Inside, every CR-V gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus Google built-in, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, leather seats, a wireless charging pad, power front seats with driver memory, a power tailgate, and Honda Connect. The head-up display is now available on the VX, no longer limited to the RS.

The RS keeps its premium edge with a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, red contrast stitching with RS logos, and a hands-free power tailgate.

Hybrid Warranty and Colors

Both e:HEV variants come with an 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty for added peace of mind.

Color options include Canyon River Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl, with a PHP 20,000 surcharge for the white finish.

Introductory Pricing

Honda is offering special launch pricing for early buyers:

• RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT – PHP 2,788,000
• VX e:HEV e-CVT – PHP 2,438,000
• V Turbo HuNT CVT – PHP 2,258,000

Regular prices are set PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 higher depending on the variant.