Honda hybrids return over 22 km/l on Baguio drive

Civic, CR-V, and HR-V go north

- By ERIC TIPAN

Do you remember the CR-Z and the Legend? Filipinos had a short (but sweet) affair with these Honda hybrids. Well, more with the compact sports car, the CR-Z, than with the executive sedan, the Legend. After the phaseout of these two models, HCPI (Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.) stayed away from the hybrid scene for five years.

HCPI made a complete 180° in 2023, launching the hybrid version of the CR-V, followed by the Civic a year later, and the HR-V in March this year. Honda now refers to these models as e:HEV, a global communication name for its two-motor hybrid system.

Why the change of heart about hybrids? “Honda has been working on hybrids for the last 25 years, and, in fact, in other countries, (our) hybrid models are actually available for consumers. To align the Philippines with the global vision of Honda for carbon neutrality by 2050, the first step that we can take is to bring back hybrids, especially now that the acceptance of hybrids in the local market is also doing quite well,” said Rex Decena, Communications Department Manager (HCPI).

With three e:HEVs in the lineup, the company seems to be going pedal-to-the-metal towards electrified mobility but is not committing (yet) to another new e:HEV model.