We spent a week and 350 miles with a 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport-L AWD, loading it with strollers, car seats, sports gear, and bulk groceries to see how well it serves as a family workhorse.
Our test car was the CR-V Hybrid Sport-L AWD, using Honda’s two-motor hybrid system (2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four) for a combined 204 hp, paired to an e-CVT. Curb weight is just over 3,700 pounds, with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires. The hybrid’s cargo bay is rated at 36.3 cu ft behind the second row and 76.5 cu ft with the seats folded; rear legroom is a generous 41.0 inches. The Sport-L trim brings a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a power tailgate, and heated front seats.
Testing spanned school drop-offs, city errands, and a mixed highway/suburban loop, plus a weekend outing with two kids. We installed a rear-facing infant seat and a forward-facing toddler seat using LATCH, packed a full-size stroller, a week’s worth of groceries, and sports bags, and made repeated curbside stops and parallel parks. Weather ranged from dry to light rain, with temperatures in the mid-60s. Cargo usability is a CR-V strength.
The opening is wide and squared-off, and the liftover is low enough that loading a folded stroller doesn’t require heaving. With the second row up, we fit a double stroller lengthwise plus three grocery totes with room to spare; the parcel shelf removes easily and stores at home. The 60/40 second row folds nearly flat via one-pull levers in the cargo area, so a last-minute hardware-store run for flat-pack furniture didn’t mean climbing into the back seats to reconfigure. Tie-downs are well placed, though underfloor storage is minimal (mostly jack and tools).
Seating comfort is excellent up front, with long cushions, supportive bolsters, and a broad range of manual/ power adjustments that make it easy to find a neutral posture. In back, adults have ample knee and toe room and a recline function that kept a napping toddler happy. The wide-opening rear doors simplify loading a rear-facing seat; LATCH anchors are clearly marked and easy to access, and the seatbacks don’t fight you when cinching straps. Two car seats fit with space for a slim booster in the middle, though three across is tight.
Daily usability is thoughtfully executed. Cabin storage includes deep door bins that fit 32-ounce bottles, a configurable center console, and a rubberized phone tray with wireless charging. Rear passengers get air vents and two USB-C ports on this trim. Visibility is strong thanks to thin pillars and large mirrors, and the turning circle is city-friendly.
Ride quality is compliant over broken pavement, with only sharp expansion joints making themselves known. We averaged 36 mpg over our week (mostly suburban), and Honda Sensing (adaptive cruise with lane-centering and Traffic Jam Assist) reduced stress on school-run congestion while remaining unobtrusive. As a family SUV, the CR-V Hybrid nails the fundamentals: easy-loading cargo space, genuinely comfortable seating, and low-effort daily manners. If outright maximum cargo is your priority, a Kia Sportage offers a bit more volume, and those needing a third row should look to larger classes.
For most small-to-midsize families, the CR-V Hybrid’s blend of efficiency, packaging, and refinement makes it a top-tier choice; the Sport-L hits a sweet spot of features without overspending.
