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The 2023 Honda CR-V is almost here! Get a sneak peek at the new and improved compact crossover before it hits dealership showrooms!
Kicking Off a New Generation
The start of the sixth generation of the Honda CR-V is upon us. The compact crossover was introduced way back in 1995, but it’s still a popular choice for hundreds of thousands of people each year. That’s one of the reasons the CR-V earned spots on our Top 10 Compact Crossovers Under $20,000 list, our Best Compact SUVs of 2022 list, and our Best SUVs for Families list. The CR-V is already Honda’s most popular SUV, but, with the start of another generation, the CR-V has been refreshed, refined, and, perhaps, reenergized. It’s sure to provide some strong competition against the likes of the Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. Even though you won’t find the 2023 Honda CR-V out on the car lots yet, we have your first look at it right here!
More Power to Pick From
Honda is giving you options under the hood. The 2023 CR-V is available in four trim levels: the EX, the EX-L, the Sport, and the Sport Touring. The Sport and Sport Touring come in a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine that is mated to a pair of side-by-side electric motors. Combined system output is 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are both increases from previous models. The EX and EX-L models were updated with a 1.5-liter turbo engine that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to a continuously variable transmission. Front wheel-drive is standard, but an all-wheel drive system, which splits torque evenly between axles, is available. Three drive modes include Normal, Econ, Snow. There’s also a Sport mode on the Sport and Sport Touring models.
Sportier Features
Every 2023 Honda CR-V has more rugged, yet sophisticated, styling. Designers took inspiration from the recently redesigned Ridgeline and Passport TrailSport when tackling the new CR-V. The result includes an upright grille, a long hood, and repositioned windshield pillars, which should improve visibility as well. The Sport and Sport Touring trims take it up another notch with more aggressive front and rear facias. There’s a black accent on the grille, too. More gloss and matte black can be found on the underside of the rear spoiler and lower bumper.
It’s not just looks with the 2023 CR-V though. The overall length is 2.7 inches longer, the wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer, and there’s 0.4 inches of additional width. EX and EX-L trims have 18-inch silver alloy wheels while the Sport has 18-inch 10-spoke black alloy wheels. A revised chassis provides a stronger structure with more stability. Updates that CR-V designers made to the suspension and steering should improve driving ability and riding quality.
A Look Inside
Some of those sporty features carry over into the inside of the 2023 CR-V, too. The Sport Touring has 19-inch black alloy wheels. There is black cloth upholstery and black dash trim exclusively in the CRV-Sport. The Sport Touring has black or gray leather seating surfaces. You’ll notice some orange stitching on the seats, console, steering wheel, and shifter. Seats have standard two-way lumbar adjustments.
The touchscreen menu has been simplified. There is a 7-inch digital instrument panel and 7-inch touchscreen audio system on 2023 EX and Sport trims. EX-L and Sport Touring have a 9-inch touchscreen. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay configuration is standard. Physical knobs are there for easy volume control and tuning. The CR-V Sport Touring trim gets a 12-speaker Bose audio system, but every 2023 Honda CR-V gets Qi-compatible 15-watt wireless smartphone charging. A storage area in front of shifter can hold two smartphones, and there are illuminated USB ports to plug into. Rear seat passengers get two charging USB ports, too.
Heightened Safety
In addition to new airbags that apparently reduce the risk of injury, blind-spot monitoring and hill descent control are now standard on all 2023 Honda CR-V trims. Other safety and driver assistance features included in the Honda Sensing Suite are: lane keeping assist, front and rear sensors, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and traffic jam assist.
There’s More to Come
Honda hasn’t yet released fuel efficiency or range information for any of the new 2023 CR-V trims. It will be interesting to see how the increases in horsepower and torque, along with more refined hybrid system, impact how many miles per gallon you can get and how far the range is.
Pricing is another question mark. It’s estimated that the base 2023 CR-V EX trim will start at just under $30,000 climbing to around $40,000 for the Sport Touring Hybrid. The 2022 Honda CR-V Touring Hybrid had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $36,540 without any of the advertised packages, so the improved Sport Touring Hybrid will probably reach over $40,000 with all the amenities added.
Although the 2023 Honda CR-V isn’t available yet, it should be out in various international markets sometime this fall. We know that the 2023 CR-V is currently being built at the Honda East Liberty Plant in East Liberty, Ohio and at the Honda Manufacturing of Indiana plant in Greensburg, Indiana. Honda announced that the 2023 CR-V will be made available first with the hybrid models launching later in the year. Be sure to check our New Car Incentives post, updated monthly, for the best leasing and financing options on any new 2023 Honda CR-V models. While you’re waiting for the 2023 models, you can also look at our detailed 2022 Honda CR-V review.
