I Traded My 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid For a 2025 CR-V Sport Hybrid, Now I’m Not Sure It Was a Good Idea

"I am curious. Has anyone else experienced this with the Honda CR-V Hybrid?"

On the Honda CR-V Community Facebook page, I stumbled upon Doug Finney Jr's post, where he's seeking advice from fellow CR-V owners. Despite the newness of the 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid, our community is here to support each other. Your experiences could be the answer Doug is looking for. 

Here is what Doug asks, 

"I owned a 2021 CR-V hybrid, which I traded in on the 2025 model. Now, I'm unsure whether I made the right decision and whether it was a good idea. When using the steering wheel paddle shifters to "brake," it would use the electric motor and charge the battery no matter the speed."  

"I'm trying to see if anyone has the same issue I do, and if so, it may not be an issue, maybe just a different way the new Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid system works."

"In my 2025 Sport Hybrid, if I'm going over 25 to 30 mph and I do the same thing, instead of the electric motors slowing me down, the actual combustion engine revs up really loud like an engine brake, even though the instrument Panel lights up and says that it's in EV mode."  

"It's even louder when I do it at higher speeds, like 50-70 mph. It says EV mode on the dash, but the engine is clearly revving to stop the car, not the electric motor."  

Has anyone else experienced this?

"Also, this happens regardless of the drive mode: normal, sport, or eco. I stopped by the dealer and spoke to someone in the service department; they said It doesn't sound normal, but they don't have an appointment until mid-March, and I have to drive this car 1200 miles round trip in a week. I am curious if this is an issue and if anyone else has experienced this."

He's open to the possibility that it might not be a problem, just a different way the new Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid system works.

Click the red 'Add New Comment' button below to share your experience with the 2025 CR-V Sport Hybrid regenerative braking. Your input could be invaluable in solving Doug's issue.  

Doug Has Another Issue With the New 2025 Sport Hybrid

"On a recent trip in my 2025 CRV hybrid, I noticed that when going over 55 mph, I could hear a sound of air rushing from the backseat area.  It sounded just like a speaker that was not working and had that loud static noise."   

"I assumed some weather stripping was loose, and the air was getting into the car from the passenger window.  It drove me crazy.  Finally, I had my wife drive while I sat in the back seat. I found the source." 

"A vent under the passenger rear seat blows copious amounts of fresh air from outside into the cabin. How much it blows is directly related to speed.  At 70 mph, it feels like one of those centrifugal carpet drying fans. When not moving, there is no air at all. It's not aimed at the battery or anything, it's aimed to blow air directly into the cabin from under the back seat. So, I'm not sure what it's for." 

"The manual says it is an air intake. I had an intake in my 2021 CRV hybrid, but this is not behaving like an intake. It's blowing air very hard into the cabin. I can't figure out why it needs to blow air into the cabin and make a ton of noise since it's an intake."  

"I understand the air is going over the battery and out of that vent, but why blow the loud air into the cabin?" 

In the Comment Section: 

Samuel Taylor says, I think it's just air from the battery compartment and blown into the cab to help minimize outside debris or rodents getting into the car. I will say I only notice the noise when it's hotter out versus colder.

Eric Hingst - Something must not be right. It's going to freeze you come winter if there isn't any way to control it.

Marci Snider - I have a 2025 CRV hybrid, and this does NOT happen! I just returned from the airport and sat in the back seat while my husband drove; we were going 75 the whole way. I'd get it checked out at the dealership. Good luck. Please report what you learned (in case it starts happening to me).

How to slow down the Honda CR-V Hybrid using the steering wheel paddle shifters.

Honda says, "To slow down a 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid using the steering wheel paddle shifters, pull the left paddle (marked with a "-") to increase the level of regenerative braking, effectively slowing the vehicle down; the right paddle (marked with a "+") decreases the level of regenerative braking, allowing for less deceleration." 

Key points to remember:

• Paddle function: The left paddle is typically used for downshifting (slowing down), while the right paddle is for upshifting (speeding up). 
• Regenerative braking: In a hybrid car like the CR-V Hybrid, paddle shifters primarily control the amount of regenerative braking, which recharges the battery when you decelerate. 
• Adjusting deceleration: Pulling the left paddle multiple times increases the level of regenerative braking, allowing for more controlled slowing down. 

A Possible Solution To Doug's Rear Air Vent Problem

A recent post on Reddit says, "2025 Sport Touring: It's likely that it's in the owners manual and I just missed it, but today I was thinking of how other cars with manual climate controls (not digital) have the ability to still "flow" air into the cabin without actually being turned on.”

"So today, as it was nicer weather here in NY, as I was driving, I was looking at the HVAC (which is digital) and wondering how could I set the air to flow without being turned on. All you have to do is turn the system off and tap the button that dictates which vents the air comes out of. Doing so opens the selected vent and lets outside air flow into the cabin without being turned on."

Final Thoughts and Questions For Honda CR-V Hybrid Owners

Doug is reaching out, hoping to find others who might be experiencing the same issues. Your shared experiences could shed light on this.

This report is designed to help Honda CR-V owners. Please leave any questions you have about your new Hybrid models. 

If you have any possible solutions to Doug's 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Hybroid issues, please leave a comment in red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Honda CR-V story: I’m Driving a Paid Off 10 Year Old Honda CR-V Because It Costs Nothing to Run and Who Wants a $500 Per Month Car Payment?

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Doug