Why is the 2024 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV only a 5-seater in PH?

Last week, Honda Cars PH Inc (HCPI) officially revealed the all-new CR-V. Now on its sixth generation, the crossover is now available with VTEC Turbo, e:HEV hybrid, and for the first time, Honda Connect, which allows users to remotely control certain features of the vehicle. It also allows drivers to monitor the vehicle’s overall health and service intervals.

There are three variants to choose from with two models powered by a 1.5L VTEC Turbo engine producing 190 PS with 240 Nm of torque and a single variant powered by the 2.0-liter e:HEV hybrid that has a combined system output of 184 PS and 335 Nm of torque. Sorry turbo-diesel fans, the 1.6-liter i-DTEC is no more as Honda is heading towards a greener direction with the 2024 CR-V.

With the RS e:HEV variant serving as the top-of-the-line variant as well as producing the most power in terms of torque, we were surprised to learn that the e:HEV is only available as a 5-seater. The V and VX AWD Turbo variants are the only CR-V variants to come with three rows of seats. Curious as to why this is the case, we asked Honda Cars PH why the hybrid version only comes with two rows of seats.

Speaking with HCPI president Rie Miyake, she shared with us that since the hybrid variant is exclusive only to the RS model, they wanted to highlight the sporty & premium feel of the CR-V e:HEV by making it only as a 5-seater crossover.

“We want customers to focus on the sporty and premium feel of the CR-V RS e:HEV, hence the decision to only make it available as a 5-seater,” said Miyake.

In the Thai market, Honda only offers the three-row version of the all-new CR-V for the VTEC Turbo. That means like the Philippine market, Honda Thailand only offers the e:HEV version of the CR-V as a 5-seater crossover.

For those who are looking to get the all-new Honda CR-V, you better make sure if you really need the third-row seats as that is exclusive only to the VTEC Turbo versions.