Professionals: Clear styling; large inside; environment friendly engine choices; stable infotainment system; many normal security options
Cons: Lack of specialty choices equivalent to plug-in hybrid and off-road fashions
Honda’s best-selling car is again and larger than ever within the type of the 2023 Honda CR-V. The compact SUV has been a regular bearer for its phase with a robust mix of fine driving dynamics and glorious practicality. We’re not in a position to share impressions about how the brand new mannequin drives (test again later this month), however even when inspecting it standing nonetheless and trying out the spec sheet, it appears to carry a number of enhancements over its already stable predecessor.
Among the many large enhancements is, nicely, that it is larger. It is the most important CR-V but, and that is mirrored in a really spacious inside with most cargo area that after once more sits on the prime of its class. It additionally will get a massively improved infotainment system, and the hybrid powertrain has been up to date to supply extra torque. We additionally discover the styling to be considerably improved.
The brand new 2023 CR-V is coming into an especially aggressive phase, although, and whereas it well goals itself on the coronary heart of the market, it provides not one of the branches into the assorted niches which have sprung up in recent times. There isn’t any plug-in hybrid provided to reply the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sportage PHEV and Ford Escape PHEV. There’s additionally no higher-performance engine obtainable (lengthy a CR-V criticism) equivalent to within the Mazda CX-5 and VW Tiguan, nor a extra rugged trim stage as with the Sportage, Mazda CX-50 and Subaru’s Forester and Outback. Principally, the CR-V might stand to be a bit extra attention-grabbing. However in case you’re in search of a extra typical small SUV, the brand new CR-V will nonetheless be one thing to regulate and add to your test-drive record.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
The 2023 Honda CR-V is totally redesigned for the brand new mannequin yr.
What are the CR-V inside and in-car know-how like?
With a complete new exterior comes a complete new inside. Or not less than, new to the CR-V. Should you’ve been in a brand new Civic, its format and design will look extraordinarily acquainted. It is also similar to the additionally new HR-V. Luckily, it is an excellent inside. The look is clear and uncomplicated. The sprint can also be low and aids in each visibility and making the cabin really feel spacious. All of the switchgear feels high-quality with tight, stable motion whether or not it is a flip sign stalk or the extremely welcome local weather management dials. Although there are lots of plastics, they’ve engaging finishes and patterns. It is not fairly as much as the premium really feel of the Mazda CX-50 or CX-5, however it’s corresponding to Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. It is also a lot nicer than what you will discover in a Ford Escape or Chevy Equinox.
As for devices and infotainment, the CR-V options an analog speedometer mixed with a 7-inch display screen that may show the tachometer and different info. The usual infotainment show is a 7-inch touchscreen with quantity and tuning knobs and a few bodily menu buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal. On the upper EX-L and Sport Touring trims, the CR-V will get a bigger 9-inch touchscreen with only a quantity knob and menu buttons, and each wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus wi-fi charging. With both display screen dimension, this infotainment system now makes use of the working system and interface from the Accord and different Hondas moderately than the sluggish, buggy and ugly system utilized by the earlier CR-V. It is extra engaging; options giant, engaging and easy-to-press icons; there are fewer layers of menus and much quicker reactions. It is a system that is truly aggressive with its opponents, although we nonetheless want the Hyundai/Kia system.
How large is the CR-V?
The CR-V has grown considerably with this technology. It is 2.7 inches longer with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase, and it is 0.4 inch wider. That additionally makes it a couple of inches longer than its key rival, the Toyota RAV4. All this stretching pays dividends in all facets of inside area. Honda hasn’t launched specs on passenger quantity, however sitting within the SUV’s cabin, it definitely appears extra spacious and comfy. The entrance passengers have a number of leg, knee and shoulder room. Head room is not fairly as beneficiant, however there’s nonetheless sufficient for most individuals to be completely comfy. The entrance seats themselves haven’t got an enormous quantity of form, however they’ve thick padding and a welcome quantity of facet bolstering. There is a good quantity of adjustment, too, so a cushty seating place needs to be straightforward to search out. That hasn’t at all times been a given within the CR-V.
The rear seats are the true showstopper, although. They are a bit firmer and flatter than these up entrance, however they’re comfy sufficient and the area is unimaginable. There’s a great deal of room in all instructions, notably for the legs. There’s additionally a number of area below the entrance seats for ft, successfully including extra space and permitting rear occupants to actually stretch out. The rear seat backs recline, too, as much as 10 levels. As such, passengers might be comfy for a lot of, many hours at the back of a brand new CR-V.
Cargo area is now the identical no matter powertrain. The official determine of 36.3 cubic-feet is principally proper in between the outdated hybrid and gas-only quantity specs, which means the brand new CR-V has each extra and fewer cargo area than earlier than. It additionally places it behind the massively enlarged Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, in addition to the Toyota RAV4. Finally, although, we’re speaking levels of big right here. With the seats down, the CR-V is the brand new most cargo area king, measuring 76.5 cubic ft.
What are the CR-V gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
Two powertrains can be found for the 2023 CR-V. As earlier than, the usual turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder makes 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Energy goes by way of a repeatedly variable transmission and on to both simply the entrance wheels or all 4 with the non-obligatory all-wheel drive. Gasoline financial system numbers haven’t been introduced for the brand new CR-V but. The outdated mannequin received round 30 mpg mixed with principally the identical powertrain, so numbers needs to be comparable or barely higher.
The opposite powertrain is the hybrid. It makes use of a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a pair of electrical motors. Underneath most circumstances, it operates as a collection hybrid with the fuel engine producing electrical energy and the bigger of the 2 motors turning the wheels. There are some conditions the place the fuel engine can present drive energy straight. Mixed energy is 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. That is much less 8 horsepower lower than the 212 horsepower listed for the earlier CR-V Hybrid, however 15 extra pound-feet of torque. Once more, gasoline financial system for the brand new mannequin has not been introduced, however it needs to be comparable, presumably greater than the 38 mpg mixed of the earlier mannequin.
What is the CR-V prefer to drive?
We’ve not been in a position to share our first drive expertise with the CR-V but, however we are going to replace this part with our impressions as quickly as our first drive evaluate publishes.
What’s the 2023 CR-V worth?
Pricing has not but been introduced for the CR-V. We anticipate the bottom worth to extend over the present mannequin’s start line of $28,045. The reason is that Honda has eradicated the entry-level LX trim, as an alternative choosing simply EX and EX-L for the non-hybrid, and Sport and Sport Touring for the hybrid.
What are the CR-V security scores and driver help options?
The 2023 CR-V as soon as once more comes with many normal security and driver help options. It options ahead collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keep help, and adaptive cruise management. These have all been upgraded from the final CR-V, which is nice information, as their predecessors have been comparatively rudimentary in efficiency in comparison with rivals. Judging by the same up to date programs within the new HR-V and Civic, the CR-V’s driver help programs needs to be tremendously improved.
The brand new CR-V hadn’t been crash examined by a 3rd occasion on the time of this writing.
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