Leaps and Bounds: The 2025 Honda CR-V

Compact SUVs have evolved. They used to be a bit more utilitarian, but in the past decade or so, they have really transformed into innovative vehicles preferred by families and individuals alike. With an increase in premium options and innovative engineering, often involving hybrid powertrains, these new and improved compact SUVs cater to a wider audience of those looking for a refined driving experience but with more space than a sedan would offer. This is perfect for parents who work but also need a car to accommodate weekend family excursions, day-to-day child care, and the works.

Among compact SUVs, a decades-long fan favorite is the Honda CR-V. If you visit us for a Honda CR-V for sale in Rochester, you’ll find some particularly cutting-edge options for 2025. This year is a step forward for the CR-V, with the unveiling of a futuristic powertrain option as well as improvements for the established turbocharged and hybrid models. Let’s take a look at the 2025 model year, see what’s new, and examine your options.

While the updates to the 2025 CR-V are primarily cosmetic, there is a piece of exciting news that gives a glimpse into what may be coming down the road. Honda is introducing a new CR-V e:FCEV model that is significant not just for the CR-V nor just for Honda as a corporation; it is significant for the automotive industry at large. The new addition to the CR-V’s lineup serves as an important step in Honda’s goal to produce zero emissions mobility, offering the first-ever plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle ever produced in America.

While this exciting new model has strictly limited availability and won’t be available in Rochester for some time yet, it certainly gives hope for the CR-V’s exciting future. The CR-V has already been paving the way for innovative powertrain options as a staple in the hybrid SUV market. The CR-V offers three hybrid trims for 2025, in addition to three turbocharged gasoline engine trims, meaning there are six options for CR-V greatness available to New York drivers. The 2025 CR-V sees progress in its design and technology offerings, meaning drivers will have an elevated experience.

If you’re a CR-V driver with an older model who hasn’t been keeping up with the more recent model years, you might be astonished by how far the vehicle has come in terms of its luxury design and technology. So, to get a better look at the 2025 CR-V, let’s dig into the specific trim options in both the turbocharged and hybrid flavors.

The CR-V offers three non-hybrid trim levels for 2025: the LX, EX, and EX-L. The LX serves as the CR-V’s entry-level trim. Now, as far as entry-level trims go, you won’t be missing out with the LX. Sure, it may be simpler in some ways with cloth seats rather than leather, a four-speaker audio system rather than some of the next-level audio systems (the four-speaker system is still good, though), and an overall simpler interior. But you’ll still have a seven-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and traditional Bluetooth streaming. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow will free you up to better enjoy all of that connectivity technology. And with the standard engine being a turbocharged option offering 190 horsepower combined with available real-time AWD and a three-mode drive system, you’ll have plenty of performance. And that’s just the entry-level option. Pretty crazy, right?

The EX trim is quite similar to the LX trim but with a few extra comfort and convenience features. You’ll still be looking at cloth seats, but the front seats are heated, meaning Rochester winters won’t be so bad. For summertime, though, the EX trim does offer a one-touch power moonroof, meaning those warmer months will be even better. While it’s still a seven-inch color touchscreen, you’ll benefit from a six-speaker, 240-watt audio system; if you’re a music person, those two extra speakers will be noticed. Overall, the EX trim takes the foundation laid by the LX trim and gives it a little more gusto.

Up at the top is the EX-L trim, building upon the EX trim to craft high-level luxury. The leather-trimmed seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel will be the first thing you’ll notice about this trim. Of course, the enlarged nine-inch color touchscreen is also an eye-catcher. With a grand total of eight speakers, the 320-watt audio system certainly takes the cake. The front seats are not only heated—the driver’s seat will remember your preferences and restore them at the touch of a button. The EX-L trim expands on the infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning you won’t have to get tangled up in chords. The cherry on top is the power liftgate, adding that extra layer of convenience.

This year’s CR-V trims start great and only get better as you work your way up. But that’s only the turbocharged gasoline-powered options. We haven’t even gotten to the hybrid lineup yet!

All of the 2025 CR-V Hybrid trims are sport models, meaning they have efficiency and athleticism at the forefront. There are three hybrid trim levels—Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid—making for a total of six CR-V trims for 2025. Thanks to the assistance of a pair of electric motors, this powertrain offers great performance with 204 horsepower; that’s quite good for a compact SUV, as most vehicles in the CR-V’s class don’t pass the 200 horsepower mark. That power, combined with a four-mode drive system, gives the hybrid model an objective advantage over the turbocharged model.

The Sport Hybrid is the baseline hybrid trim, and you could say it’s a bit like starting at the EX trim if you’re comparing it to the turbocharged trim options. Though the seats are cloth, they include orange stitching for an extra dose of zest, and while the color touchscreen measures seven inches, the Sport Hybrid offers the same six-speaker, 240-watt audio system as the EX trim. Of course, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth are all included in that as well. With the one-touch power moonroof capping it all off, the Sport Hybrid is better equipped than the LX trim.

The Sport-L Hybrid takes things up a notch with leather-trimmed seating (with orange stitching), including two-position memory for the driver’s seat and four-way power adjustment for the passenger’s seat. With the nine-inch color touchscreen, eight-speaker audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Sport-L Hybrid most closely resembles the EX-L trim from the turbocharged options. So, where do we go from there?

The Sport Touring Hybrid trim builds upon everything we’ve talked about so far, taking the technology to the next level. With a Bose Premium audio system blowing the others out of the water, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, and a built-in Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, the Sport Touring Hybrid trim is the crown jewel of the 2025 CR-V lineup.

There’s not a bad option in the bunch this year. But, if you really want the ultimate experience, the Sport Touring Hybrid can’t be beat. With a hybrid powertrain, refined interior, and the best technology, the driving experience doesn’t get much better than that.

The CR-V is looking good for the 2025 model year. It’s already a favorite of many Rochester drivers, but it’s likely to gain some new fans this year with its luxury and tech-forward interior, especially in the hybrid trims. While Honda’s new CR-V e:FCEV previews more exciting developments coming down the road, a turbocharged or hybrid CR-V model will have you riding in comfort, style, and efficiency (especially with a hybrid model). This is a big year for the CR-V with an industry-changing addition plus improved trim options. If you’re not a CR-V owner, it’s a good time to reconsider that.