Honda CR-V, Avancier, HR-V hybrid production fast-tracked

Key highlights:

• Next CR-V production starts in Canada in February 2027
• New hybrid system targets 10% better efficiency
• Honda plans 15 new hybrids by March 2030

Honda has brought forward plans for its next-generation hybrid system, which will debut in the seventh-generation CR-V, and this move follows the last-minute cancellation of its dramatically styled 0 Series electric vehicles, as the Japanese brand shifts more attention towards hybrids. 

The new CR-V will enter production in Canada in February 2027, followed by Ohio and Indiana in March 2027. The company has not confirmed any launch dates for Australia, but historical launches suggest it will launch here several months to a year later after North American arrivals.

Seventh-generation CR-V moves forward

According to the Nikkei Asia website, Honda has pulled the launch of the next CR-V forward by a couple of months. Production schedules are now:

• Canada (February 2027)
• Ohio (March 2027)
• Indiana (March 2027)

The seventh-generation CR-V will likely use Honda’s new mid-size vehicle architecture, and it says this platform weighs around 90kg less than the current architecture underpinning the Civic, CR-V and several other models.

Honda has not confirmed when the new CR-V will begin production in Thailand, and that matters for Australia because Thailand supplies the CR-V to Australia and Japan.

There was roughly a year’s gap between Canadian and Thai production starting for the current-generation CR-V, although Honda has not confirmed whether the same timing will apply to the next model.

New hybrid system promises more efficiency

Honda has not revealed the key technical details of its next-generation hybrid system yet, but the company says the new system will deliver 10% better efficiency than its current hybrid setup.

Today’s system uses a 2.0-litre engine and has these powertrain and performance figures:

Honda also expects the new hybrid drivetrain to cost about 30% less to produce and that cost reduction matters as much as the efficiency improvement for Honda.

Also read: No range boost for Honda Super-One, but more power possible

A larger three-row Honda could arrive

Nikkei Asia has also confirmed earlier reports that Honda Thailand will start producing a new three-row SUV in early 2027. The model reportedly will:

• Use a hybrid powertrain
• Sit above the CR-V in size
• Carry the Avancier name

Honda has not confirmed whether Australia will receive the Avancier, but its availability in right-hand drive for both Thailand and Japan could strengthen its case for an Australian launch.

Honda Australia boss Robert Thorp has also indicated that the company is investigating new models and new market segments for Australia.

If Honda brings the Avancier to Australia, it could spell the end of the three-row CR-V, and it would also give Honda its first dedicated three-row SUV since the MDX was axed in 2006.

Honda’s hybrid expansion will extend to smaller vehicles, too. The fourth-generation HR-V, known as the Vezel in Japan, will reportedly debut in 2028, and it will also use a version of Honda’s new hybrid system.

That puts the CR-V, Avancier and HR-V among the first models expected to introduce Honda’s new hybrid technology.

Honda plans 15 new hybrids

These vehicles form part of a much larger hybrid push as Honda plans to launch 15 new hybrid vehicles by March 2030. The company wants hybrid sales to reach 2.5 million vehicles annually by the end of the decade, roughly three times the number of hybrids Honda sold in 2025.

Honda’s larger vehicles, developed primarily for North America, will follow a different path, and the next-generation Pilot SUV and Odyssey people mover, along with other larger models, will use a V6 hybrid system. Honda plans to introduce that system from 2029.

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