Honda took the covers off its compact crossover SUV, "CR-V" aka "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle," way back in 1995; however, it was only in 1997 that it finally reached the American shores. This was the time when the crossover SUV market was taking shape and Honda was among the first ones to hop onto this bandwagon.
With CR-V, Honda gambled with a car-based crossover formula; it worked and became a massive hit among US buyers in no time. Since then it has remained one of the best-selling SUVs in the US and sometimes even makes the list of top 10 best-sellers. In 2021, the Honda CR-V was at the second spot with 361,271 units sold in the US.
It became Honda’s cash cow all these years but f2022, the CR-V it seems to be falling out of its top 10 distinctions. Honda posted a decline in sales as compared to last year so to catch up, they decided to raise the bar by unveiling a rugged and sophisticated 2023 Honda CR-V. It’s been adequately juiced up for a surreal driving pleasure making sure Honda is in line with its “Year of the SUV” commitments.
On a roll for five generations, the Honda CR-V’s sixth generation is ready for the fiercely-competitive compact SUV battle. It’s all-new inside out, and boasting a longer and wider stance unlike any of its older generations.
Let’s delve more into this all-new Honda CR-V in its latest avatar.
The 2023 Honda CR-V Is Larger Than Life
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As compared to the outgoing CR-V, the 2023 Honda CR-V now is 2.7 inches longer and 0.4 inches wider, which adds a little extra space for your loved ones. It now rides on a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase that poses a beefier look. With these larger proportions, it now boasts the most cargo room in the model’s history. A large, upright grille, a long hood, and new door-mounted side mirrors are the other new things added to this generation.
Honda offers 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels as standard with the all-new CR-V but the top-spec Hybrid variants Sport and Sport Touring get premium alloys. While the Sport model gets the grade-specific Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke alloys the Sport Touring rides on bigger black 19-inch split 5-spoke alloys respectively. On the inside, Honda claims that the new CR-V is more comfortable and spacious than ever.
Honda also offers a 7.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto on the EX and Sport trim levels while the EX-L and Sport Touring models get a bigger 9.0-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility.
Overall, the 2023 Honda CR-V looks more appealing to the eye on the inside, as well as the outside.
Power, Performance & Other Safety Features
This family-friendly SUV will be offered in four trims - EX, EX-L, Sport, and Sport Touring. For the EX and EX-L models, Honda offers an updated turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder motor mated to an improved CVT aka continuously variable automatic transmission. This powerplant now hammers out 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque sending power to either the front- or the all-wheel drive.
Its premium models, the Sport and Sport Touring come with a sportier driving experience but will be offered with only a hybrid powertrain, which combines a newly-refined turbo 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder motor with an all-new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system for a combined output of 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft. of torque. With the Sport, you can go for either the front- or the all-wheel drive option but for the Sport Touring, the AWD is a standard feature.
Both the hybrid variants are at their best on the highways and are powerful enough to tow up to 1000 lbs, which is a first in the CR-V’s history.
For the first time, CR-V will now have a new safety feature called Hill Descent Control as standard across the entire range. In addition to the existing Normal and Econ modes, a new Snow mode will equip the drivers with more confidence while driving in rough terrains.
For the safety of the passenger, the new CR-V features knee and rear-passenger side impact airbags for the first time and they come standard across the lineup.
All of these features are designed keeping the Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5-star ratings in mind.
The Coolest Feature: ACE Body Structure
In its new avatar, the 2023 CR-V uses the latest version of the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) architecture that’s been further tweaked for even better compatibility with larger vehicles. While a new Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies safeguards you while you’re driving, Honda arms the new CR-V with one of the most innovative Honda passive safety systems called the ACE Body Structure.
It's a rather innovative idea wherein the Honda-exclusive body design uses a network of front-frame structures to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision. The forces of the collision are more evenly dispersed all over the vehicle rather than only in the cabin, plus, it also takes the force away from the other vehicle involved in the collision. That means it’s not just the Honda drivers that are safer in the event of a collision, everyone is safe with a Honda CR-V.
Sources: Honda, KelleyBlueBook