The Honda CR-V is now on its sixth-iteration as the new 2023 model has arrived featuring quite the redesign. Inside and out, the compact SUV is sleeker, appearing more modern, yet also significantly more aggressive in its stature. It comes in only four trims starting at the EX-level and working its way up to a Sport Touring. Honda has also updated their powertrains, making the hybrid part of its top trim.
The CR-Vs of the Body
The CR-V grew a few inches this year, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and 2.7-inches on the body as a whole. It is just shy of half an inch wider than the previous generation. Honda says this provides additional rear-seat legroom and improved cargo space for the hybrid. Both powertrains now feature 36-cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row (expandable to 39-cu. ft. in the non-hybrid), and if you fold down the rear seats, you’ll notice 77-cubic feet.
Its exterior styling is a combination of sophistication and ruggedness, which Honda says draws from the design direction taken by the Ridgeline and Passport TrailSport. Windshield pillars were repositioned for this purpose, increased safety, and to improve visibility. You’ll notice that the side mirrors are now mounted on the door body rather than at the base of the window. LED headlights and taillights are standard.
On the Sport and Sport Touring hybrids, Honda ups the ante on aggressiveness with gloss black accented grilles and rectangular exhaust finishers.
Trims and Efficiency
To keep the right spacing in its lineup and to keep inline with its electrification strategy, Honda is starting the CR-V trims at the EX-level. Gone are the days of barebones LX trims as consumers can opt for the newly grown HR-V.
The EX and EX-L are offered with that standard turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, as the Sport and Sport Touring are hybrid only. Front-wheel drive is standard across all models, aside from the Sport Touring which comes with AWD as standard. AWD is optional on the lesser trims.
EPA fuel economy ratings are not yet available, but the introduction of the FWD variant may increase the previous generation’s hybrid rating from its 38-mpg combined as an AWD. With little changes to the non-hybrid powertrain, we expect roughly the same fuel economy; previously, the CR-V would rate at 29-mpg combined for the AWD and 30-mpg for FWD.
Modern Interior
The CR-V borrows from much of the interior design DNA from the HR-V and Civic, as a honeycomb-pattern trim stretches across the dash. Knobs for the HVAC on a simple, clean dashboard, with a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (9.0-inches on the EX-L and Sport Touring). Blind-spot monitoring is standard alongside hill-descent control and driving modes include Normal, Eco, and for the Sport trims a Sport mode.
Pricing on the new Honda CR-V will arrive in the coming months as the company closes in on its on-sale dates. Nonhybrid models will be made available first and may be higher priced. The hybrid is expected later this year.
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