When it comes to finding a reliable hybrid, your options can be limited. The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid and 2023 Sportage Hybrid are compacts with all the features modern cars could have.
What the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid SUV does well
Compared to the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid and the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, the CR-V had a lot going for it. Sportier styling makes the hybrid stand out from the gasoline version, and starting at $32,950 isn’t a huge jump for added fuel economy. It has black exterior accents, gloss black wheels, and orange stitching on the interior.
It has a nice new interior and good fuel economy. Kia also has the industry-leading five-year, 60,000-mile base warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Honda’s coverage is three years, 36,000 miles for the base and five years, 60,000 miles for the powertrain. However, the hybrid components get eight years or 100,000 miles.
Another plus is that the Sportage Hybrid is about $5,000 cheaper, so the top-of-the-line SX Prestige trim on the Kia still falls short of the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring. Kia’s SUV also gets better fuel economy, getting 43 mpg with front-wheel drive and 38 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Honda gets 40 mpg with front-wheel drive and 37 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Both compact SUVs have more positives than negatives
To compare these compact sport utility vehicles more directly, the table below lists the specifications for the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid and 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Breaking it down by accolades, the CR-V is Kelley Blue Book’s best compact SUV for this year and also a Best Buy Award winner.
| 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid | 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid | |
| Price | $32,950 | $27,490 |
| Motor | 2.0-litre hybrid four-cylinder | 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder |
| Power | 204 hp | 227 HP |
| Couple | 247 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Fuel economy | 43mpg city/36mpg highway | 42mpg city/44mpg highway |
| Basic Warranty | Three years/36,000 miles | Five years/60,000 miles |
| Hybrid component warranty | Eight years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo volume | 39.3/76.5 cubic feet | 39.5/73.7 cubic feet |
| Overall length | 184.8 inches | 183.5 inches |
| Length | 73.5 inches | 73.4 inches |
| Height | 66.2 inches | 65.4 inches |
Kia’s most affordable hybrid powertrain, best fuel economy numbers, and industry-leading warranty give the Sportage an edge. Honda has a long history of reliability after the CR-V, and the hybrid comes with plenty of standard features to justify the extra cost.
If budget is the most critical factor, Kia and its warranty will be the best option. Those with a little more wiggle room in the budget might be happier with the CR-V and the extra Honda features included.
Neither the nor has yet evaluated these brand new SUVs, but those tests will likely happen soon. Any scores of this nature could be useful in the final decision.
