The 2025 CR-V EX-L comes in two powertrain choices that change what you pay and how the car performs

Honda offers the 2025 CR-V EX-L in two configurations: a standard gasoline engine and a hybrid. Both sit in the same trim level—EX-L is the third tier in the CR-V lineup—but the powertrain you choose affects fuel economy, acceleration, price, and long-term maintenance costs. The gasoline version uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; the hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter engine with electric motors and a battery pack. Neither configuration changes the interior layout, cargo space, or safety features, but they do change how often you visit the gas station and what repairs you might face down the road.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 CR-V EX-L gasoline engine delivers quicker acceleration and costs less upfront, while the hybrid prioritizes fuel economy and produces lower emissions.
  • Both configurations include the same EX-L interior features: leather seats, a power moonroof, heated front seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
  • The hybrid carries a higher purchase price but recovers some of that cost through better fuel economy over time, depending on your driving patterns and local gas prices.
  • All-wheel drive is available on both powertrains and adds traction in snow and wet conditions but reduces fuel economy by roughly 1 to 2 miles per gallon.
  • The hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) while the gasoline model uses a traditional automatic, which affects how the engine feels during acceleration.

Gasoline Engine: 1.5T Turbo with Traditional Automatic Transmission

The gasoline CR-V EX-L uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, giving you responsive acceleration when you need it—merging on highways or passing slower traffic feels direct and when ready. The turbocharger kicks in when you press the accelerator, which is why the engine feels more powerful than its displacement might suggest.

Fuel economy for the gasoline EX-L sits around 28 miles per gallon combined in front-wheel-drive form, according to EPA estimates. With all-wheel drive, expect roughly 26 to 27 miles per gallon combined. The gasoline engine is also the lower-cost entry point to the EX-L trim, so if your budget is tight or you drive mostly highway miles where turbocharged engines perform well, this is the more economical choice upfront. Maintenance on the gasoline engine is straightforward: regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug service at Honda's recommended intervals.

Hybrid Powertrain: 2.0L Engine with Electric Motors and CVT

The hybrid CR-V EX-L combines a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 144-volt lithium-ion battery pack. The system produces 212 horsepower total, which is more than the gasoline engine alone, but the power delivery feels different. The electric motors provide when ready torque from a standstill, so the hybrid actually accelerates smoothly off the line. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) creates a rubber-band sensation during harder acceleration—the engine speed climbs without a corresponding gear shift, which some drivers find less engaging than the traditional automatic in the gasoline model.

The hybrid achieves approximately 40 to 41 miles per gallon combined in front-wheel-drive form, nearly 50 percent better than the gasoline version. With all-wheel drive, expect around 38 to 39 miles per gallon combined. Over five years and 75,000 miles of typical driving, this fuel economy advantage can offset the higher purchase price, though the exact savings depend on your local gas prices and how much you drive. The hybrid battery is covered by Honda's 10-year, 150,000-mile warranty, which is longer than the standard powertrain warranty, so battery failure during ownership is unlikely.

Interior and Comfort Features Shared Across Both Configurations

Whether you choose gasoline or hybrid, the EX-L trim includes the same cabin appointments. You get leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment on the driver's side, a power moonroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and includes audio and cruise control buttons. Storage includes a 12-volt power outlet and USB charging ports throughout the cabin.

The infotainment system is an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to mirror your phone's navigation, music, and messaging apps. Bluetooth connectivity is standard. The EX-L does not include a built-in navigation system—you rely on your phone's maps app instead—but this keeps the cost down and ensures you always have current traffic data. A rearview camera is standard on all CR-V models, and the EX-L adds a multi-angle camera system that shows you a top-down view of the vehicle when parking.

Safety Technology and Driver information Systems

Both gasoline and hybrid EX-L models come with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver information features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping information, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation. These systems use cameras and radar to monitor the road and your surroundings, alerting you to potential hazards or automatically explore the brakes if a collision is imminent. Honda Sensing is standard on all CR-V trims, not just the EX-L, so you are not paying extra for these safety features at this trim level.

The multi-angle camera system mentioned above is part of the EX-L's parking aids. You also get blind spot information on the side mirrors, which illuminates when a vehicle is in your blind spot. These features do not change between gasoline and hybrid—they are trim-level features, not powertrain-specific.

All-Wheel Drive Availability and Real-World Impact

Honda offers all-wheel drive on both the gasoline and hybrid EX-L configurations. All-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels, improving traction in snow, ice, and wet conditions. If you live in a region with winter weather or frequently drive on unpaved roads, all-wheel drive is worth the cost. If you live in a warm, dry climate and rarely encounter slippery surfaces, front-wheel drive is sufficient and saves you money at purchase and at the pump.

The real-world penalty for all-wheel drive is a 1 to 2 mile-per-gallon reduction in fuel economy. On the gasoline model, that means dropping from 28 to roughly 26 to 27 mpg combined. On the hybrid, you drop from 40 to roughly 38 to 39 mpg combined. Over a year of typical driving, this difference translates to a few extra fill-ups, so factor that into your decision if fuel economy is a priority.

Cargo Space and Practicality Across Both Powertrains

The CR-V EX-L offers 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This space is identical whether you choose gasoline or hybrid—the hybrid battery is mounted under the floor and does not intrude into the cargo area. The rear liftgate opens wide, and the cargo floor is low enough that loading heavy items is manageable without straining your back. Roof rails are standard on the EX-L, so you can add a roof rack for additional storage if needed.

The hybrid's battery pack does add roughly 100 pounds to the vehicle's total weight compared to the gasoline model, which is why the hybrid's fuel economy advantage is not quite as dramatic as the engine efficiency alone would suggest. However, this weight difference is not noticeable in everyday driving—the hybrid still feels nimble and responsive in city traffic and on winding roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the hybrid worth the extra cost if I mostly drive short distances around town?

Short trips are where hybrids struggle to show their advantage. The electric motor helps most during city driving with frequent stops, but if your trips are under 10 miles and you are not driving many miles per week, the fuel economy gain may not offset the higher purchase price within a reasonable ownership period. A gasoline CR-V EX-L makes more financial sense in this scenario.

Does the hybrid require special maintenance or more frequent service?

The hybrid requires the same scheduled maintenance as the gasoline model: oil changes, filter replacements, and fluid checks at Honda's recommended intervals. The hybrid battery does not need routine maintenance, and regenerative braking means the brake pads last longer on a hybrid than on a gasoline vehicle. Overall, the hybrid is not more expensive to maintain.

Can I tow a trailer with either configuration?

The 2025 CR-V EX-L is not rated for towing by Honda. If you need to tow a boat, camper, or utility trailer, you will need to look at a different vehicle or a different trim level. Check Honda's official specifications for your specific configuration before assuming towing capability.

What is the difference in driving feel between the CVT in the hybrid and the automatic in the gasoline model?

The gasoline model's 10-speed automatic shifts through distinct gears, which you may feel as slight acceleration pulses. The hybrid's CVT provides seamless acceleration without gear shifts, which feels smoother but also less sporty. Some drivers prefer the CVT's smoothness; others prefer the traditional automatic's more familiar feel. Test driving both is the best way to decide which transmission suits your preferences.

How long does the hybrid battery last, and what happens if it fails?

Honda's hybrid battery warranty covers 10 years and 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Battery failure within this period is covered at no cost to you. Beyond the warranty period, battery replacement can be expensive—typically $4,000 to $6,000—but most owners report their hybrid batteries lasting well beyond 150,000 miles with proper care. If you plan to keep the vehicle beyond 10 years, factor potential battery replacement into your long-term ownership costs.