For 2023, the folks at Honda decided to go a bit overboard and give major enhancements to its hot-selling CR-V. Some might argue the logic behind changing an already-successful formula, but I don’t think anyone would mind spending a few extra thousand after taking a closer look.
For the 2023 version, Honda has decided to stay with just two trims – EX and EX-L with the option of an all-wheel-drive system. The 2023 Honda CR-V EX starts at $31,110, and the CR-V EX-L has a starting price of $33,760. Both prices exclude destination and handling fees of $1,245.
2023 Honda CR-V: The Good Just Got Better
The CR-V has been a feather in Honda’s cap from the time of its inception. It offered refinement, reliability, fun, and more value for every buck the customer spent on it. Some might think Honda didn't have to reinvent an already successful product that was loved by the masses. Well, we beg to differ here.
The sixth-generation Honda CR-V boasts of a new look with higher quality materials, and a cabin that is sporty and more in sync with the times we live in. The 2023 Honda CR-V gets a new grille at the front that gives a more masculine and aggressive stance. The optional alloy wheels accentuate the sharp looks that command your attention from the time you set eyes on it.
The new CR-V is 2.7 inches longer than its previous avatar. This resulted in an additional wheelbase of 1.6 inches. Add extra features like a new snow mode and hill descent control to make it more capable while off-roading. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers impressive figures of 28 and 34 MPG on city roads and highways respectively in the FWD version. These numbers drop marginally to 27 and 32 MPG in the AWD trim.
2023 Honda CR-V EX Base Trim Is Well-Stacked
The return of the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine means the only thing you can choose from in the powertrain section is the FWD or the AWD version. The engine delivers 190 HP and 179 lb-ft of torque using a CVT. The stock 2023 CR-V EX is a front-wheel drive, and for the AWD version, you have to shell out another $1,500.
While four paint schemes are free, the other four cost $395 each. Choosing a set of 18-inch alloy wheels will mean an additional $1,800. The interior is a standard black and there is no option of choosing another color. You also get to choose from five accessory packages: the most expensive being the ‘Utility Package’.
The ‘Utility Package’ includes things like roof rails, crossbars, running boards, and about 30 other things. This means adding another $1,780 to the overall kitty. The accessory options can be confusing with 30 options for exteriors, 13 for interiors, and 4 for electronics.
After adding all possible accessories including things like parking sensors, a wireless phone charger, a heated steering wheel, a tent, and a roof box among many others, the price for a fully maxed-out 2023 Honda CR-V EX reached a staggering $43,308. That is $12,198 more than the base price of $31,110.
2023 Honda CR-V EX-L Packs The Best Of Both Worlds
Powered by the same 1.5-liter engine as the Honda CR-V EX, the EX-L trim of the 2023 Honda CR-V starts at $33,760. Add the AWD to the base variant to take it to $35,260. Add a color scheme and those 18-inch alloy wheels to increase the price by another $2,195.
For a further addition of $1,745, you can avail of either the Utility Package or the HPD Package. After adding all the accessories that we had added to the 2023 Honda CR-V EX with an extra auto-dimming mirror, the 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L reaches a total of $47, 119. This is $13,359 more than the base price of $33,760.
2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Trims Fuse Fun With Efficiency
Apart from the 2023 CR-V EX and EX-L versions, Honda has dispatched two hybrid trims as well. Two electric motors come equipped with a 2-liter inline-four turbocharged engine to deliver an impressive 204 HP of power and 247 lb-ft of torque.
The CR-V Hybrid models will come with AWD as standard across all variants. The power will be delivered using the same CVT that the standard CR-V uses. The prices start from $33,695 for the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid trim and go up to $39,845 for the Sport Touring Hybrid trim. These prices include the $1,245 destination charge.
This Is The Most Expensive 2023 CR-V Configuration
To find the answer to the question, we decided to take a closer look at the configurator on the Honda website. We added (and, at times, removed) things to see how expensive both the EX and EX-L models get. We loaded it up with everything possible, including the plethora of accessories that Honda offers. After everything was done and dusted, the most expensive 2023 Honda CR-V trim came up to $43,042, and the above image is what our build looks like.
Source: Honda