2023 Honda CR-V Grows Up And Becomes More Premium, Gains New Hybrid

The latest-generation 2023 Honda CR-V has arrived and been detailed for the U.S. market. It premieres with a rugged and sophisticated design and is available with a more advanced hybrid powertrain.

In crafting the exterior of the new SUV, Honda took inspiration from the Ridgeline and Passport TrailSport models, designing a more pronounced horizontal beltline and increasing the width by 0.4 inches. In addition, the 2023 CR-V is 2.7-inches longer and its wheelbase has grown by 1.6-inches but the most intriguing change is the repositioning of the A-pillars, so they now sit 4.7-inches further back, 2.8-inches more outward, and 1.4-inches lower. Honda has also shifted the wing mirrors to the doors.

The front end of the 2023 CR-V makes a particularly bold statement with the large, upright grille and LED headlights for all variants. The vertical taillights have also been altered for the 2023 model year.

Honda will sell the 2023 CR-V in EX, EX-L, Sport, and Sport Touring guises. The first two of these has gloss black front grille mesh with chrome trim and standard 18-inch 10-spoke wheels. Meanwhile, the Sport and Sport Turing variants have more aggressive front and rear fascias, rectangular exhaust finishers, a rear spoiler, and gloss black grilles. The CR-V Sport rides on unique Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke wheels while the Sport Touring has 19-inch 5-spoke wheels.

Various upgrades have been made in the cabin. Indeed, it looks very similar to the interior of the 11th-generation Civic. This results in a dashboard with a clean and fuss-free design that has striking metal honeycomb mesh to conceal the air vents. Honda has also equipped the new SUV with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster while EX and Sport variants also have a 7-inch infotainment display with physical knobs for volume and tuning. Those that opt for the EX-L and Sport Touring variants receive a 9-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus 15W wireless smartphone charging.

The CR-V Sport Touring also has a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

Underpinning the 2023 CR-V is Honda’s enhanced global architecture which the automaker says creates a smoother ride and greater stability. It also benefits from a 15 per cent torsionally-stiffer body while revised MacPherson strut front suspension and variable-ratio steering improve feel and accuracy.

Powering the CR-V EX and EX-L models is an updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft (243 Nm) of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. Mated to this engine is a CVT and all variants have Honda’s Rear Time AWD system.

As for the CR-V Sport and Sport Touring, they are equipped with a new hybrid system that pairs a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder with a pair of electric motors. Combined power sits at 204 hp and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque. These models offer up to 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) of towing capacity.

On Sale This Summer

Plenty of safety features come standard. These include the Honda Sensing suite with a new 90-degree wide-angle camera and a 120-degree millimeter-wave radar. Key features include Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control with Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind sport information.

The 2023 Honda CR-V will launch this summer while Hybrid models will land later in the year. Pricing details haven’t been announced.