WHAT WE'RE DRIVING

Four regular-sized adults onboard, I'm estimating 575 lbs (261 kg). A steep but abrupt grade of maybe 1.5 miles. One-third of the way up, a passing lane is available and there's our chance to get past a dawdler. Pin the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid's accelerator and from somewhere centered ahead of the firewall comes a raucous grumble-blare not all that different from opening up a big outboard motor. The sheer volume and tortured tenor cause everyone in the cabin to look at one another: “What the hell?”

The CR-V Hybrid's “two-motor” system (already used to good effect in the Accord) is comprised of an AC synchronous motor dedicated to propulsion and geared in tandem with the 2.0-L 4-cylinder, both clutched to the differential. Another AC motor-generator is geared directly with the differential and largely charges the small 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. The setup is meant to bias the propulsion job to the 181-hp propulsion motor, with the engine providing electricity to the traction motor and the battery pack - or directly inputting to the differential at a single fixed ratio only in times of great need. Like steep uphill passing with four aboard.