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What did Honda update for the new CR-V? What should they have updated? Find out in this new car review of the 2023 Honda CR-V!
2023 Honda CR-V – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2023 Honda CR-V on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2023 Honda CR-V?
It’s all new! The 2023 Honda CR-V has been fully redesigned, kicking off the sixth generation of the popular SUV. Exterior and interior styling have both been refreshed, giving a little bit of upscale design to this version of the CR-V. An improved infotainment system is laid out nicely in the cabin. Also new, the 2023 Honda CR-V is a little larger. The wheelbase has been stretched by 1.6 inches. That means a bit more space for legroom and cargo capacity. For a vehicle that has been around since 1997 (have you checked out our Honda CR-V Through the Years feature yet?), the Honda CR-V continues to evolve, meeting most of the needs of modern-day drivers.
The Breakdown
Great fuel economy
Refreshed styling
Terrific cargo space
Nice cabin with useful tech
Healthy list of safety features
ICE and hybrid options
Just one gas-powered engine
Same horsepower as 2022 model
A handful of trims to choose from
2023 CR-V Specs
- 190 horsepower from base engine
- 179 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 39.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 76.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 9.0-inch touchscreen
- 5-star overall NHTSA rating
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
2023 Honda CR-V Powertrain
The Honda CR-V isn’t a car that will give you many engine choices. There’s just one engine for most trims: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It’s the same engine from previous models. This engine makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. If you’ve read our 2022 Honda CR-V review, then you know that even though the 2023 CR-V has been revamped, these numbers are the same as the 2022 model. It would have been nice to get a little more horsepower for the start of this generation.
There is also a hybrid version, however. Honda isn’t marketing it as the CR-V Hybrid. Instead, the top trims automatically come with a hybrid system. The hybrid utilizes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that work together to make 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque.
The engines pair with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The first three trims all come with front-wheel drive (FWD), but the Sport Touring trim offers all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard.
2023 Honda CR-V Fuel Economy & MPG
Fuel economy is pretty impressive in the 2023 Honda CR-V, whether you’re talking about FWD, AWD, hybrid or non-hybrid. Take a look at some of these numbers. FWD models get 28 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. 2023 Honda CR-V models with AWD and the 1.5-liter gasoline-powered engine still get 27 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.
A hybrid version with FWD gets 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. AWD hybrid models get 40 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. While acceleration could be better and less noisy, the CR-V gets up to highway speeds without too much hesitation.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The interior of the 2023 Honda CR-V looks fairly upscale. A honeycomb texture is used across the dash. Knobs for there for controlling the temperature, defrost, fans, and air conditioning. Above them sits a horizontal 7.0-inch display. There’s also a digital gauge cluster and analog speedometer in front of the driver.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is pretty comfortable. Cloth fabric is used in the lower trims, but the top two trims use leather upholstery. The cushioned seats match the suspension nicely. Speaking of comfort, there’s good room to stretch with 41.3 inches in the front and 40.4 inches in the rear.
Cargo capacity in the regular 2023 Honda CR-V is the same as previous models: 39.3 cu. ft. regularly and 76.5 cu. ft. with seats down. The big news on the cargo front is that the hybrid versions offer the same amount of cargo as those with an internal combustion engine. A large center console bin provides some extra storage for smaller items, too.
Entertainment & Technology
There’s a decent amount of infotainment that is either standard or available in the 2023 Honda CR-V. The touchscreen is either seven inches or nine inches. Depending on which trim you choose, you’ll get USB ports in the front and rear. A wireless charging pad is included in some models, too.
Every 2023 Honda CR-V model includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Higher trims even have wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Music can be played on a six-speaker audio system, an eight-speaker sound system, or a Bose premium stereo system.
Safety Features
There’s a long list of safety features. Some are standard and others are available or become standard at higher trim levels. Some of the driver assistance features include front and rear parking sensors, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. A rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert are some of the safety features that come standard across the lineup.
2023 Honda CR-V Trims & Pricing
There are only four trims to choose from, but two of the trims can be equipped with Honda’s hybrid engine. Also, there are a bunch of driver assistance features that comes standard. For a lineup that doesn’t get above $39,500, most of these models are affordable, too.
EX – $31,610
Starting things off is the EX with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s got 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and LED taillights. The 2023 Honda CR-V EX also has a push-button start. Inside is ambient lighting, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone climate control. A six-speaker stereo system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a seven-inch touchscreen all make up the infotainment for the 2023 Honda CR-V EX.
This trim also has safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with a lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking. It doesn’t end there, though! A driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, a back-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert are also included. So are automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.
Sport – $32,950
The 2023 Honda CR-V Sport, at just $32,950, is your cheapest way to get a hybrid powertrain with this model. The Sport appearance package has darkened exterior elements, too. Inside is a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Rear USB ports are added for backseat passengers.
EX-L – $34,260
The Sport didn’t have too many features added to it. The EX-L does. At this level is a power liftgate, a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and leather upholstery. The passenger seat is power-adjustable, and the driver’s seat has memory settings. Infotainment is upgraded with a nine-inch touchscreen and eight-speaker sound system. Front and rear parking sensors add to the safety of the EX-L trim, too.
Sport Touring – $39,100
At the top is the Sport Touring, where AWD and the hybrid powertrain are standard. The Touring also has 19-inch gloss black wheels, a Bose premium audio system, and an integrated navigation system. Outside are rain-sensing windshield wipers and a hands-free liftgate. Inside? It’s a small feature, but a nice one: a heated steering wheel.
Warranties
One of the warranties Honda offers for the 2023 CR-V is one that covers three years or 36,000 miles. There’s also a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
What we think
2023 Honda CR-V – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2023 Honda CR-V on Carsforsale.com
The Honda CR-V is a favorite. It previously earned a spot on our list of the Top 10 Compact Crossovers Under $20,000 and as one of the Best SUVs for Families. The all-new 2023 Honda CR-V doesn’t lead its class when it comes to fuel efficiency, cabin room, or cargo space, but it’s close! There aren’t multiple engine options, but this SUV offers the choice of a hybrid engine. It also comes in FWD or AWD. The infotainment features are what you’d expect from a SUV these days, but long list of standard driver assists is impressive! If you want actual luxury, you’ll likely be looking elsewhere, but all of these trims (even the most basic is well-equipped) for under $40,000? That’s a pretty good deal these days.
If you’re looking for a hybrid, the Sport will provide you with what you need while staying relatively low on pricing. For a traditional engine, the EX-L is where I’d focus. It has enough extra features that makes it worth a few extra thousand dollars.
