My Thoughts Exactly: 2023 Honda CR-V

No one can stop Honda.

After decades of selling vehicles in North America, the automaker is now on a roll. It shows as their product refresh movement continues for 2023. 

This time, they created a completely new CR-V – their most popular model. The mainstream two-row SUV is what sells the most at any given Honda dealer in North America. 

There is a lot to unpack on the 2023 CR-V. It is not about the new design inside and out. It is committing to electrification with an expanded hybrid lineup, integrating it within the current five trim-level lineup. 

Granted, this is not the first time Honda has added a CR-V Hybrid to the lineup. What’s different with the new 2023 model is the implementation of the driveline and making them desirable. 

Case in point is our 2023 CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring tester. 

Think of it this way: If you were to build a better mousetrap, what ways will you do so? 

In essence, Honda designed and engineered a better CR-V. They did so to meet the demand of customers who want something in a mainstream size with a handsome exterior, a very comfortable interior, and at a price point that remains competitive with the rest of the segment. 

There are five CR-V trim levels to choose from. Three out of the five are equipped with a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. That’s fine, but there’s another driveline available on the other two CR-Vs.

Honda combined their 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a High-Torque Traction Motor – an electric motor to you and me. Combined, the two-motor Hybrid system puts out a net 204 horsepower. That might not be a huge jump in performance until you look at the total torque this system sends down on the low range. If I did the math correctly, that would be 385 pound-feet of torque. I could not find a net figure for this driveline, but that does sound impressive for a vehicle in a very popular class. 

The Sport Touring model only comes with an electronic continuously variable transmission and all-wheel-drive. Honda’s CVTs have improved with better ratio “shifting” and smoother operation. 

The result is a pleasant driveline that is guilt-free. Pleasant, but very responsive. It just gobbles up miles without fatigue or lag. Not to mention, the fuel economy is impressive, as I averaged 37.8 MPG. That’s not a typo, folks! 

To go along with its new hybrid driveline is a very handsome design. The exterior appears to be boxy, but it offers some really compelling details. The grille texture is bold as its size. The headlamps are slim with LED bulbs inside. There are a few details that are attractive, such as the trim around those headlamp units. 

The side profile has improved with a bit more of an upright profile. That includes the C-pillar glass. The rear doors open almost 90 degrees, which is a huge help for back seat occupants and infant car seat transfers. The rear has a smiliar shape to last generation’s model with an “L” shape that borders the upper part of the liftgate and drops below the glass line. 

In all, this has got to be the best-looking CR-V ever. All arguments are welcome…

Stepping inside is something that is a theme on the newest Honda models – the honeycomb trim for the vents across the instrument panel. I loved it on the Civic and the HR-V. It works equally well on the CR-V. Luckily, those vents are controlled by a tactile automatic climate control system below the tablet-like nine-inch touchscreen. 

Instrumentation is of the new Honda digital variety. Information is now spread across the two “dials” with some readouts in the middle. It is a clean-looking screen. Controls are very tactile and logical to use. 

Sound is controlled by the nine-inch touchscreen will find its way to all 12 Bose speakers throughout the cabin. That sound also fills the spacious 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. If fold those seats down, then you get up to 76.5 cubic feet – a slight improvement from last generation. 

Another improvement from last generation is its overall ride quality. It’s just so darn smooth and comfortable. The CR-V manages rougher sections of roads very well. I also noticed that the handling is a bit tauter than before. While responsive, it also manages corner much better with very minimal lean and roll.

Turning the CR-V is an easier task even though it is an electric system. On-center feel is good, and it stays in the line quite well. The turning radius is solid without needing to do a 17-point turn in tight situations. The braking system is also quite good. Pedal feel is on point, with solid response to the wheels. I experienced solid stops in normal and panic situations. 

Let’s talk about pricing for a moment. This 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring tester came with a sticker price of $39,845. Before you go into sticker shock, consider this: That is a lower price and better value than most similarly equipped hybrid SUVs in its class! There are two hybrids to choose from, with three more CR-Vs with the standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. Pricing for the CR-V lineup starts from $28,410.

Let’s just say it: Honda has made a better popular-sized SUV. If you base this solely on the Hybrid driveline, perhaps best-in-class. Everything you see, touch, and experience points to this audacious summation.

Does this discount its competitors? Maybe the CR-V could incentivize its rivals to come out swinging in the next-generation models. Then again, Honda has many loyal customers that can benefit from this greatly improved model to guide potential conquests to the brand.

This time, Honda came out swinging with its new generation CR-V. The brand is on a roll. We cannot wait for what’s next from them!

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

All photos by Randy Stern