The Honda CR-V is a versatile and reliable compact SUV that’s been popular for a long time thanks to its smooth ride, fuel efficiency, and comfortable interior. The CR-V entered a new generation for the 2023 model year, getting a host of updates and upgrades inside and out. That means there aren’t a lot of big changes to the design overall for the 2024 model year, but there is one exciting piece of news: a new trim level has been added to the lineup.
As your Honda dealership, we here at Bedard Brothers Honda know that deciding on a model is just Step One; finding a trim level that has the features you’re looking for and fits your budget can be its own can of worms. We’re proud to offer vehicles like the CR-V that have several great trim levels ranging from affordable to luxurious so you can find the balance that’s just right for you—and the new Sport-L Hybrid trim makes that process even easier.
How It Fits Into the Lineup
The Sport-L Hybrid is just one peg down the trim ladder from the top-tier Sport Touring Hybrid. Without this trim, there was a pretty big gap between the starting price for the Sport Hybrid and the Sport Touring Hybrid—over $6,000, actually. Drivers who wanted more luxury features than what is in the lowest-tier hybrid trim needed to make a big jump to get to the next level up. Now, the Sport-L provides a perfect medium halfway between the two price points, featuring a lot of the premium features that are offered on the Sport Touring.
A Hybrid Powertrain
The CR-V’s highest trim levels are exclusively available with advanced hybrid powertrain. The first advantage of this that probably springs to mind is fuel economy.
The base powertrain offered on lower trims of the CR-V is above average compared to the wider market in terms of fuel economy. The EPA estimates that the average 2024 vehicle gets 28 MPG. Even with optional all-wheel drive, the traditional gas-powered CR-V goes beyond that rating, getting 29 MPG for city/highway combined driving and 32 MPG on the highway. The front-wheel drive numbers are even better, at 30 MPG city/highway combined and 34 MPG on the highway.
Of course, the hybrid numbers do better. The worst stat across the hybrid lineup (the highway fuel economy rating for the AWD model) meets the best figure from the traditional gas-powered CR-V at 34 MPG. Overall, the AWD model gets 37 MPG, while the more efficient FWD model gets 40 MPG. While the traditional gas-powered model gets better fuel economy on the highway, the hybrid model is more efficient in the city, getting a 40 MPG rating on the AWD model and a 43 MPG rating on the FWD model. If you do a lot of driving around town, then this gives you even more bang for your buck at the gas station.
Beyond that, the hybrid is also more powerful; there’s a reason that the hybrid trims all have “Sport” in the name. While non-hybrids get 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, the hybrids get a total of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque with the combined power of the engine and electric motors. The hybrid models are the only ones that have a dedicated Sport mode for more thrilling drives, while all other 2024 CR-Vs only have modes for normal driving, maximizing fuel efficiency, and tackling snow.
Tech Upgrades
Compared to the Sport Hybrid, the Sport-L has a few key tech upgrades that can make your driving experience better. While the Sport—like all CR-V trims—has standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the Sport-L has wireless versions of both features, as well as a wireless Qi phone charger to go with them. This means you don’t need to use any cables, so you can save time plugging them in and taking them out of your device as you enter and exit the car, and you won’t have any issue with giving a ride to a friend who doesn’t use the same charging cable you do.
The infotainment interface also gets an upgrade in the Sport-L. Instead of the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen display found in the Sport, you’ll find a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen that has customizable feature settings and smart shortcuts to help you navigate the menus quickly. You’ll also get access to SiriusXM and HD Radio, so you’ll have plenty of audio entertainment to keep you company on commutes or road trips.
While the Sport’s six-speaker audio system is a step up from the four-speaker setup found on lower trim levels, it’s not quite as good as the more powerful eight-speaker system on the Sport-L. For the Bose premium sound system with twelve speakers, you still have to upgrade to the top-tier Sport Touring.
Beyond the interior, the Sport-L also boasts several exterior upgrades over the Sport. It has parking sensors in both the front and rear to help you manage tricky parking maneuvers without scratching your paint or anyone else’s. Low-speed braking control does more than give you a warning; it can apply the brakes automatically when the sonar sensors detect an obstacle while you’re driving at speeds under six miles per hour.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Unlike the Sport, the Sport-L has a power tailgate that’s much easier to open with your hands full, whether you’re carrying a bunch of shopping bags or wrangling an excited dog. The programmable height feature makes sure that the tailgate doesn’t open so high that it goes out of reach, so you’ll never have to stand on tiptoes to grab it. However, if you want completely hands-free access to the cargo area, you’ll want to upgrade all the way up to the Sport Touring Hybrid trim.
Inside, the Sport-L has an automatic dimming rearview mirror that makes it easy to get full visibility at any time of day, even when the sun is in a particularly annoying part of the sky. Like the Sport trim, the Sport-L has a ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that includes two-way power lumbar support for preventing fatigue on long drives.
But unlike the Sport, the Sport-L also has a two-position memory system that lets you and another driver set your exact position just the way you like it and access it again at the push of a button. That way, if you let a neighbor borrow your car or go on a road trip with a friend, you’ll be able to get your settings right back where you want them when you're back behind the wheel. The Sport-L also adds power adjustment to the front passenger seat, so the person riding shotgun can more comfortably get the positions to their liking.
Choosing the Right Trim Is Easy Here at Bedard Brothers Honda
Looking at a list of different trim levels can feel intimidating, but we can help you avoid decision fatigue here at Bedard Brothers Honda. For one thing, Honda’s streamlined lineup is easy to understand. While some automakers offer lots of optional features and packages that are available on some trims but not others, Honda doesn’t do much of that.
For the CR-V, you can make some choices within each trim—like exterior paint color, wheel design, FWD vs AWD, and sometimes interior color—but beyond that, optional packages add accessories like crossbars, splash guards, and all-season floor mats. This makes the process of picking a trim level more straightforward since you don’t have to juggle a bunch of extra packages on top of it.
On top of that, you can rest assured that our staff is committed to helping you have a great shopping experience. That means you’ll have access to advice if you ever feel stuck between two trims, and you can count on our finance department to get you the best deal possible on a loan or lease so you don’t have to settle for less. Whether it’s the CR-V or another great Honda model, we’re confident we can help you find just the right trim and set you up for success down the road.
