Although the latest CR-V, with its turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, has been available in the U.S. for months, it’s only finally reaching Europe’s shores. The Geneva Motor Show will be the site for the European-spec model’s launch, with deliveries arriving in the fall. Honda is also taking this opportunity to announce that the European CR-V will get an optional third-row of seats, and when the hybrid version will go on sale.
This will be the first time the CR-V has ever been offered with three rows of seats. It should be a smart move for competing against the long-wheelbase VW Tiguan, which is the only version we get in the U.S., and the Nissan X-Trail, known here as the Rogue, all of which have available third rows. As for whether the three-row CR-V will be available in America, Honda wouldn’t comment. But because it would be a strong selling point, and since it will only be available on the gas-powered CR-V, we suspect it will be an option here sooner than later.
The other new CR-V option, a hybrid powertrain, finally has a rough release date. Honda announced it will go on sale in Europe in early 2019. Honda has been teasing this hybrid since last year’s Shanghai auto show, and has yet to announce whether it will be available in America. We’re fairly certain it will be offered here, especially because it seems as though it uses the Accord Hybrid’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, an engine that already passes U.S. emissions regulations. It would also be a great selling point against the few other hybrids in the segment such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Nissan Rogue Hybrid, and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
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