The next-generation Honda CR-V is going with a hybrid-only powertrain.

Honda announced the news on Nov. 12. It should surprise absolutely no one. Honda Canada said nearly 70 per cent of all CR-V sales in Canada in 2025 were hybrids.

The seventh generation of Honda’s popular compact SUV will launch sometime next year for the 2028 model year.

The news of the next-gen CR-V comes on the heels of Honda announcing a plan to spend $166-million to retool its Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plant in Alliston, Ont. to prep it for the next generation of its vehicles.

The CR-V is one of two Honda vehicles assembled at the Alliston plant. The other is the Civic sedan.

Honda said all CR-Vs sold in Canada are made in Alliston.

“Canadians have made CR-V one of the country’s most trusted SUVs, and we’ve never taken that trust for granted. With the next-generation CR-V moving to a 100 per cent hybrid powertrain, we’re building on everything Canadians already love; capability, versatility and practicality, while delivering greater efficiency and the driving enjoyment that makes a Honda a Honda,” said Emile Korkor, assistant vice president of Honda Canada, in a news release.

CR-V will debut next-gen hybrid powertrain

The automaker said the 2028 CR-V will debut the next generation of Honda’s hybrid powertrain, which the company promises will improve performance and efficiency.

Honda is striving for a fuel economy improvement of more than 10 per cent on its next-gen hybrid system.

Rigid new platform

The new CR-V will also debut an all-new vehicle platform, which is being developed combining various innovative technologies, Honda said.

This new platform is said to be highly rigid, lightweight and modular.

The 2025 Honda CR-V was Canada’s best-selling hybrid in 2025. Honda Canada said the model is expected to improve its sales by 17 per cent in 2026.

For updates, visit the Honda Canada website.

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