Vehicle Type: Compact SUV
Price Range: $32,355 - $39,845
Powertrain: The all-new Honda CR-V features a base turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and putting out 190 horsepower.
The all-gas EX and EX-L versions of the CR-V are available in either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.
The Sport and Sport Touring trim levels feature a hybridized 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 204 total horsepower with help from two electric motors.
The Sport is available with either AWD or FWD and the Sport Touring comes standard with AWD.
What’s New for 2023?
Everything! The 2023 Honda CR-V kicks off the sixth generation of this incredibly popular compact SUV. The entire vehicle has been redesigned to be larger and more accommodating for both passengers and cargo space in the cabin.
The standard four-cylinder engine has also been redesigned for better performance as has Honda’s continuously variable transmission. The result is a larger, more versatile SUV that delivers better performance while remaining true to the CR-V’s original compact design.
What’s Good?
- Complete redesign brings crisp, modern styling to this popular crossover
- Nice boost in interior and cargo space keeps the CR-V ahead of its rivals
- Interior feels surprisingly refined, especially for a non-luxury CUV
- Retuned suspension offers crisp handling more similar to a sedan than a CUV
What’s Bad?
- This generation gains some weight versus the outgoing model
- Dashboard design is less user-friendly and may be confusing to some drivers.
- Missing some basic standard features its rivals may come with
Would we buy one? Yes! This remains one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the market that will suit the needs of countless shoppers.
More Photos:
See more 2023 Honda CR-V Photos.
Overview:
The 2023 Honda CR-V starts the brand new sixth generation of the compact SUV and features many redesigns and changes from the previous model. The CR-V is offered in four different trim levels: EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, and Sport Touring Hybrid.
This new iteration of the CR-V is meant to compete with the other updated SUVs in its class like the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson. With a wide range of tech options and the Honda Sensing Suite for driver assistance, the CR-V is a great option for people who want a little more out of their family SUV.
The new CR-V has two different powertrain options available. If you are looking for an all-gas engine, the EX and EX-L trim levels come with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine putting out 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable automatic transmission.
For those who want better fuel economy, the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that is assisted by two electric motors for 204 horsepower. The EX, EX-L, and Sport trims are available in either AWD or FWD while the Sport Touring trim comes standard with AWD.
One of the biggest changes in the brand-new CR-V is its larger size. The exterior has lost some of the rounded lines that the CR-V has become known for and this has translated into more room in the cabin. A longer wheelbase gives the new CR-V a larger look all around and the double front grille makes for an impressive stance and profile.
The CR-V also comes with the tech features you would expect from a brand-new SUV in 2023. The lower trim levels come with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The higher trims bump the screen size up to nine inches and the top-of-the-line Honda CR-V hybrid Sport Touring comes with a 12-speaker Bose sound system. It also comes with a slew of standard safety and driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, a rear seat reminder, and much more.
Overall Score: 4.5/5 stars
Driving Experience: 4/5 stars
This new car has a relatively straightforward driving feel for a vehicle of its size, engine displacement, and price range.
The CVT transmission is noisier than a traditional automatic but offers a smoother overall driving feel that is preferable for highway speeds.
Even though the engine has been re-tuned to run more efficiently since the last generation, the new CR-V has the same amount of power running through the wheels.
The all-new front end has added an extra 92 pounds to the Honda CR-V, specifically in the front end, which makes the steering slightly sluggish and less responsive overall.
In our testing we found the suspension to be tuned on the firm side, but not to the detriment of ride comfort.
Safety Features: 5/5 stars
Honda has long been known as one of the leaders in standard safety features and the all-new 2023 CR-V is no exception.
The CR-V comes with a massive suite of driver assistance and safety technology that is designed to keep you as safe as possible whenever you are behind the wheel.
Standard features that come with all trim levels include blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention monitoring, and traffic sign recognition.
The safety features all work in conjunction with one another, especially the automated emergency braking should a quick stop become necessary while on the road.
It also comes with standard lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning no matter which trim level you opt for.
Value: 5/5 stars
If you are looking for a versatile and dependable vehicle for your family with a relatively low MSRP, the 2023 CR-V could be a good option.
With the massive suite of standard safety features normally reserved for higher trim levels, you get all the protection and driving assistance you need, even at the most basic level.
The standard turbo four-cylinder engine offers more than enough power for most applications and with the addition of the electric motors, you get even more horsepower.
The fuel economy of the hybrid versions of the new CR-V is enough to save you a lot of money at the gas pump, making it a great choice for commuters and vacationers.
Tech Features: 3.5/5 stars
The all-new CR-V comes with all the tech features you would expect in a new compact SUV at this price point.
The interior features a partially digital gauge cluster with an analog speedometer and a customizable screen beyond the steering wheel.
The touchscreen infotainment system comes with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in the front seat as well as two USB-C ports in the back seat on the higher trim levels. We didn't always love the user interface on the infotainment system since simple functions took more steps than they should.
This CR-V does comes with a host of convenience features such as a second-row warning and hill-descent control that helps modulate your speed when going downhill.
Practicality: 5/5 stars
If you are in the market for a practical compact SUV, this new model of the CR-V is going to be one of your best choices, even above the Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester.
With so many tech and safety features designed to protect you on the road, this is one of the best model years of the CR-V for people who want a daily driver that they can depend on and feel safe in.
All of the climate control switches and infotainment dials are directed toward the driver’s seat making them convenient to use with one person in the car.
Should you choose an AWD version of the CR-V, it will be capable in all kinds of conditions, including some light off-road use.
Styling & Design: 4/5 stars
The exterior redesign of the CR-V is meant to take it to the next level when it comes to the style of the outside and the profile it cuts.
One of the biggest changes is the front end, which is much heavier than in previous model years and gives the CR-V a distinct look that the last generation was lacking.
The interior is tastefully appointed and borrows heavily from the new Honda Civic, so it is much more car-like in its appearance and easier to navigate than ever before.
The gloss-black alloy wheels give the exterior a sleek, modern look that other SUVs and crossovers tend to miss, even when they are in the higher trim levels and at more premium price points.
Fuel Efficiency: 4/5 stars
Both the non-hybrid and the hybrid 2023 CR-V get comparable gas mileage to other SUVs that are on the market in their category.
The non-hybrid 1.5-liter four-cylinder gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway in its front-wheel drive configuration.
Should you choose to go with the hybrid powertrain in the Sport and Sport Touring, you can expect to get 43 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. In 282 miles of testing a Sport Touring, we averaged 30 MPG in mixed driving.
AWD brings the fuel economy down but not enough to turn drivers off if they feel that it is a good option for their driving style and the types of roads they normally drive on.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
The most basic trim level, the EX starts at $32,355, including the $1,245 destination charge. If you want to upgrade this from FWD to AWD, this will add another $1,500. Premium colors like Platinum White Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic add $395 to the price. You can also add 18-inch bronze alloy wheels for an additional $1,800.
The FWD Sport Hybrid trim level is the next level up and starts at $33,695 with the destination charge included. Switching the configuration to AWD adds $1,500 just like with the EX. All the same premium colors are available on the Sport Hybrid as the other trim levels. This trim comes with extra features like gloss black wheels, sporty trim styling, and roof rails for added accessories.
The all-gas EX-L trim can be bought with either FWD or AWD with a starting MSRP of $35,005 and $36,505 if you want to add the all-wheel drive option. This price includes the $1,245 destination charge that comes with purchasing the car at your local dealership. This trim comes with a leather-trimmed interior, a power tailgate, and the larger 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The highest trim level, the Sport Touring Hybrid, only comes with an all-wheel drive configuration and starts at $39,845. This high-end trim level comes with extras like a Bose Premium Sound System, a hands-free power tailgate, and a heated steering wheel.
The new Honda CR-V also has several packages and accessories available. The packages include the All-Season Protection package, which has splash guards and all-season floor mats for an extra $460, the HPD package, which has a tailgate spoiler and extra badges for $1,395, and the Utility Package, which comes with crossbars and running boards for an extra $1,555. Accessories are also available like a body side molding for $230, door visors for $205, and fender flares for $430.
