Is the Honda CRV changing in 2023?

The 2023 Honda CR-V is all-new, with more mature and muscular looks rooted in other recent designs from the automaker, like the Civic, HR-V and Passport Trailsport. Honda

After weeks of teasing the next-generation crossover, Honda has finally lifted the covers off the all-new 2023 CR-V. Arriving late this fall, the automaker’s best-seller gets a new look, upgraded technology and a sportier two-motor hybrid option.

The sixth-generation crossover “has played a critical role in our past, but what’s significant about the all-new CR-V is the important role it will play in our future—with the CR-V hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales,” said Mike Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda brand sales at American Honda.

The hybrid is expected to play a key role, the automaker added, in its electrification strategy. Indeed, there’ve been rumors suggesting an all-electric version of the Honda CR-V may be in the works, though the Japanese automaker isn’t talking about that—at least not yet.

The 2023 model is an all but complete makeover, with a sportier stance and a more angular design that picks up on the cues we’ve seen with other new Honda models this year, including the 2023 HR-V and Passport TrailSport SUV. That starts with a more upright grille, a longer hood, a standard roof spoiler and a strong, horizontal beltline. 

All versions of the new CR-V now get standard LED headlights, though there are a number of details that differentiate the 2023 crossover’s various trim packages. The unique lower bumper design is gloss black on the CR-V Sport, for example, but platinum on the Sport Touring. The Sport gets 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, with the Sport Touring shod with black 19-inch split 5-spoke alloy wheels.

The CR-V hasn’t historically been much of an off-road adventurer, but the 2023 model will get some important off-roading features, like hill descent control, for the first time. It may put the Honda closer to competitors like the Subaru Forester in this area. Honda

Bigger Inside and Out

As suggested by the recent growth of the HR-V, the new CR-V is bigger than the outgoing crossover in almost all directions, gaining 2.7 inches in overall length and 0.4 inches in width. The 2023 model’s wheelbase has been stretched 1.6 inches. The windshield pillars have also been repositioned to not only give the new CR-V a sportier look but to improve visibility in the process.

The added length and width pay off for passengers, the rear seats gaining more than a half-inch of legroom—and eight angles of recline. There’s more cargo space behind the rear seats, up to 39.3 cubic-feet in the EX and EX-L, more than any previous CR-V. Fold-down the back row and that nearly doubles to 76.5 cubic-feet, another record total.

Interior finishes have been upgraded, with details like the metal honeycomb mesh that spans the instrument panel, similar to the kind seen in the new HR-V and 2022 Civic. The base EX package features cloth upholstery and the EX-L is upgraded to leather, with piano black dash trim. The Sport and Sport Touring add a standard black headliner with orange contrast stitching on the seats.

The CR-V’s interior is all new and quite elegant. The mesh strip, hidden vents and logical controls follow the design patterns established by the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, and that’s no bad thing. Honda

Hybrid and Transmission Upgrades

The base engine package is an updated 1.5-liter turbo-four that makes 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission which, Honda claims, makes less vibration and noise than before. It’s also designed to better simulate gear changes while minimizing the “motorboat” feeling that often draws complaints about CVTs, and if the updated CVTs in the HR-V and Civic are prologue, this one should be quite refined.

But Honda is convinced that the upgraded gas-hybrid option will be the real success story. The gasoline side of the package uses a “newly refined” 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine now paired with two side-by-side electric motors. The combined package now makes 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque—up 3 hp and 15 lb-ft respectively. The package now can handle up to a 1,000-pound trailer for the first time, while the 2023 Honda CR-V’s top speed climbs from 86 to 115 mph.

Honda claims its optional, Real-Time AWD with Intelligent Control System is now more adept at handling wet and slippery conditions. It’s capable of sending up to 50% of torque to the back wheels. Honda also adds Hill Descent Control to the CR-V line for the first time. Essentially a slow-speed, downhill cruise control, a driver can quickly select speeds between 2 and 12 mph.

Base EX and Sport models feature a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The higher trim EX-L and Sport Touring models get an upgraded 9-inch high-resolution touchscreen, as well as standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Honda Sensing system offers a variety of advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and, newly standard, blind spot information. New features include Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Low-Speed Braking Control.

Coming Soon

All versions of the 2023 Honda CR-V, but for the Hybrid, will reach showrooms this summer. That gas-electric model, said Honda, will be available “later this year.” 

The biggest challenge is likely to be finding one. Due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips, Honda dealers barely have a 10-day supply of vehicles, including the CR-V, compared with a pre-pandemic norm closer to 60 days. Those shortages aren’t expected to be resolved for a year or more, according to industry analysts like Bank of America’s John Murphy.

Honda hasn’t released pricing yet, but the outgoing CR-V starts at $26,800.

Will the Honda CR

Is the 2023 CR

Is 2023 CR

Will the 2023 Honda CRV have a third row?