Bigger, More Powerful & More Refined: Honda Debuts Next Generation 2023 CR-V

• July 11, 2022
• Story By
  Mike Garrett

After decades of the Civic and Accord being Honda's bread and butter vehicles in America, its now the CR-V that occupies the top of Honda's best-seller list. And that means there's a lot riding on the upcoming redesigned 2023 version of this mega-popular CUV, which Honda has just debuted.

Given the massive success of the current version, its clear Honda isn't trying to re-write the book with the next gen CR-V, but it does look to be improved in every way.

For starters, the new model is a bit larger than the outgoing one, coming in 2.7 inches longer and .4 inches wider overall. It also gets new styling which has more of an upscale character while also borrowing from the look larger Hondas like the Passport and Ridgeline.

Turbo or Hybrid?

Honda added a hybrid powertrain to the outgoing CR-V halfway through the run, and the electric-assisted version returns with more power and torque: 204hp and 247 pound feet to be exact.

Lower trim models will be powered by Honda’s familiar 1.5L turbo engine making 190hp and 179 pound feet of torque, but this time around Honda expects the hybrid to make up 50% of CR-V sales.

Along with an increase in size, the new CR-Vs cabin also gets a full makeover and borrows a lot from the widely praised interior design of the 2022 Civic, with a healthy serving of available tech.

Real Time AWD will continue to be an option of course, and Honda has also updated the new CR-V to be more capable with a new Snow Mode for low traction surfaces and standard hill descent control on all models.

There may not be as many people modifying CR-Vs for off-road use as Subarus or RAV4s, but these upgrades should be appreciated by the growing community of Honda adventurers.

We’ll have to wait to see how the new CR-V shapes up in the real world, but at first glance it looks poised for continued success with improved capability and a more upmarket look, hopefully without foregoing the great value that Honda’s CUV has always been known for.