The CR-V was the first SUV designed in-house by Honda, and since 1997 it has been a mainstay in the United States. The family-friendly CR-V got a mild facelift in late 2019, and now Honda has it teed up for a significant overhaul. The all-new 2023 CR-V goes on sale in summer 2022 with an updated hybrid powertrain that uses two motors, better tech, and new safety features.
Honda offers the redesigned 2023 CR-V in four trim levels, including EX, EX-L, Sport, and Sport Touring. The EX and EX-L get a turbocharged gas engine, and the two Sport trims come with a 2.0-liter inline-4 and two electric motors. Hybrid power provides the CR-V compact crossover SUV with a sporty feel and surprisingly quick acceleration for a Honda people-hauler.
- All-new, sixth-generation model
- Updated hybrid powertrain provides better power and torque
- New tech includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Updated Honda Sensing safety tech comes standard
- Pricing should start in the low-$30,000 range
- The 2023 Honda CR-V goes on sale in summer 2022, with the hybrid expected to land later
Everybody wants a rugged SUV these days, so Honda has taken that as its cue to refresh the CR-V with beefier exterior looks. The new CR-V is 2.7 inches longer than before and features a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase. Honda says the SUV is nearly half an inch wider, giving it a more aggressive stance.
The grille is now more upright, and LED headlights come standard. The EX and EX-L trims get a gloss-black mesh grille and 18-inch wheels. The Sport and Sport Touring Hybrid both feature a more aggressive design with gloss black accents and rectangular exhaust finishers. The CR-V Sport rides on 18-inch wheels, and the Sport Touring gets 19-inch rollers.
Part of the design change came as a form-follows-function process, as the A-pillars (closest to the windshield) are now 4.7 inches further back, 2.8 inches further out, and 1.4 inches lower to improve visibility. A new side mirror design further aids vision, Honda says.
Expanded exterior dimensions typically mean more interior space, and the new CR-V is no exception. Honda says it features the most cargo space in CR-V history, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Lowering the rear load floor expands that room to 39.3 cubic feet, and the area opens to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Passenger space improves as well, though not as dramatically, as folks in the back get 0.6 inches more legroom. The rear seats offer eight reclining angles.
The redesigned interior also gets a load of new materials, including the long metal mesh panel that spans the length of the dash and conceals the air vents. Honda updated the seats to reduce fatigue and says that it modified the steering wheel angle to be more like a sedan. Cloth upholstery is standard, and the Sport trim gets exclusive black cloth and black dash trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring both come with leather.
Two powertrains are on offer in the 2023 CR-V; Honda updates both for the new model year. The EX and EX-L come with a refreshed turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Peak torque now comes on 300 rpm earlier, and Honda notes a noticeable reduction in engine noise. Honda pairs the turbo-4 with a retuned continuously variable transmission that features simulated shift points and calibration to nix noise and vibration.
The Sport and Sport Touring trims get Honda’s new fourth-generation hybrid system. In the CR-V, Honda pairs the two electric motors with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Combined output reaches 204 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque. The new setup provides the hybrid-powered CR-V with 1,000 pounds of towing for the first time, and Honda says the improvements raised its sustainable top speed from 86 to 115 mph.
Hill-descent control comes standard for the first time in a CR-V. Drivers can set speeds between 2 and 12 mph, and the CR-V will do the rest. Honda says its new all-wheel-drive system can send up to 50 percent of power and torque to the rear wheels.
According to Honda, structural changes to the 2023 CR-V provide better crash protection. The revised configuration helps route crash energy around the cabin, and stiffened side structures provide better side-crash protection. The automaker claims a new airbag design helps minimize severe brain trauma, with a donut-shaped configuration for the driver and a 3-chamber airbag for the passenger. Knee and rear passenger-side side-impact airbags also come standard for the first time.
Honda Sensing, the automaker’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems, comes standard and gets a new 90-degree camera system that produces wide-angle views. The radar system now features a 120-degree field of view, which Honda says improves the detection of objects, vehicles, and pedestrians. The CR-V picks up blind-spot warning as a standard feature for the new model year, and other systems, such as adaptive cruise control, feature more natural alerts. Honda also notes a driver monitoring system, rear seat-belt reminders, and a rear-seat reminder system as newly standard kit.
For many shoppers, the previous-generation CR-V was a little too basic in its base trim. It came with a 5-inch information display and lacked advanced smartphone connectivity. Honda fixed that problem for 2023 with a standard 7-inch touchscreen system that brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mercifully, the SUV comes with physical volume and tuning knobs, and Honda says it simplified its infotainment menu structure for the new model year. Honda includes two USB ports in the new CR-V, and the two Sport trims add two USB-C ports in the back.
The EX-L and Sport Touring trims have wireless charging, an upgraded 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob, and wireless smartphone mirroring. Stepping up to the top Sport Touring trim brings a 12-speaker Bose audio system with Centerpoint technology.
There’s no shortage of solid competition for the 2023 CR-V. The Hyundai Tucson was all-new for 2022 and features compelling tech wrapped in stunning design. It’s also available with a hybrid powertrain, though its 36-mpg highway rating isn’t the best in its market segment. The Toyota RAV4 is available in various configurations, including stout plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and gas variants. Nissan redesigned the Rogue in 2021 and updated the powertrain in 2022, making it a surprisingly refined and comfortable people-hauler with attractive style. Other popular competitors include the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, and Subaru Forester.
Honda is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of July 12, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
You are now subscribed to the J.D. Power Cars Newsletter.
