Experience The Pinnacle Of Honda Hybrid Efficiency And Sportiness This Weekend

Just fresh off the experience that we motorists had at the Philippine International Auto Show, Honda is now hitting the full outdoor experience with its Experiential Test Drive at The Glass House at Brittany Palazzo in Villar City, where drivers are given the chance to test out the newly updated 2026 Honda CR-V as well as their newest flagship grand-tourer, the 2026 Honda Prelude.

The Honda CR-V is showcased in this driving experience with three trim levels: the rugged 1.5V Turbo HuNT and elegant 2.0 VX e:HEV eCVT trims, both in front-wheel-drive, and the top-level 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT trim, which features all-wheel-drive. 

Both the CR-V VX and RS are offered as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with a 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a dual-motor hybrid system that puts out a combined 184 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque, put down to the wheels via the eCVT, while the CR-V HuNT comes with a 1.5 Liter DOHC VTEC turbo 4-cylinder that puts out 190 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque; the power is also transmitted to the front wheels via a CVT.

With the major difference between the VX and RS trim levels being the 2WD and AWD layouts, the test tracks for the two also differed; the VX was tested in a road course, wherein the team got to observe the handling, acceleration, and comfort of the vehicle in on-road driving. In this test, the team observed the behavior and benefits of the Honda SENSING driver assist system, which is standard on all CR-V trim models, for varying driving conditions, including its cruise control behavior and how the car reacts and keeps its distance from other cars on the road, helping keep the driver and occupants safe.

Meanwhile, the AWD CR-V RS was tested in an off-road course that consisted of multiple descents and climbing features in order to showcase its crawling capabilities and ruggedness, as well as the precision and capability of its ADAS  technologies, which surprisingly keep the vehicle well out of trouble even in off-road situations.

One of the highlights of the experience would be observing the CR-V’s hill-descent assist, which not only shows the degree of the incline that the driver is currently navigating, but it can also help the car descend the said incline at the best possible speed, depending on its angle. The ADAS system can also indicate the optimal speed range depending on the grade and intensity of the rough road being traversed.

Although it was not offered as a test car during the team’s time at the Experiential Test Drive, the third CR-V Model, called the HuNT is also available as a model that is more focused on simplicity and rugged sportiness. It also has a different powertrain altogether, as it is a pure combustion engine-equipped car that features a Dual-Cam VTEC engine and a traditional CVT. 

Back on the road, the team also managed to test out the new 2-door Honda Prelude coupe in all its luxurious grandeur. A grand-tourer by design, it comes equipped with the same hybrid powertrain as the CR-V HEV lineup, which means the same 2.0-liter DOHC engine and dual electric motor combination that puts out 184 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque through a front-drive layout. The team noted its smooth acceleration coupled with a nimble steering feel that gives just enough feedback to the driver. This is, of course, balanced with a weighty, comfortable, and quiet ride characteristic, highlighting its touring-oriented appeal.

But the main highlight of the Prelude is its S+ Shift simulated gear shifts. By simulating an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, S+ Shift adds a dose of driver engagement and sportiness to a powertrain that is otherwise developed for efficiency. From the power interruptions to the gear swaps, the Prelude adds a dose of sportiness that is otherwise unexpected in such a powertrain configuration.

As for the pricing of the showcased cars, the CR-V in its 1.5V Turbo HuNT CVT trim starts at P2,358,000, while up the ladder, the 2.0 VX e:HEV E-CVT is priced at P2,488,000, while the top-trim AWD 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT is offered at P2,838,000. 

Additionally, a promo discount for the CR-V is available until June 30, with discounts of P60,000, for the 1.5V Turbo HuNT, and P20,000 for either the 2.0 RS e:HEV or the 2.0 VX e:HEV. 

The 2-door Honda Prelude Coupe also remains for sale from its launch in April this year at a starting price point of P3,498,000.

Honda’s Experiential Test Drive for both the CR-V lineup and the Prelude shows that the company’s newest hybrid offerings have a shared trait of delivering excellent fuel efficiency while maintaining the sportiness and dynamism that Honda vehicles have been known for. 

To any motorist wanting to try out the brand’s exciting new offers, make sure to drop by The Glass House at Brittany Palazzo in Villar City and book a test drive at Honda’s Experiential Test Drive weekend, which runs from June 27-28, 2026.