Honda’s CR-V has consistently been one of the automaker’s bestselling vehicles and the most popular compact SUV in U.S. sales. The automaker is hoping a significant update for 2023 will continue the trend. When the new CR-V goes on sale later this month, it’ll start at $32,355 (all prices include destination) for the base EX front-wheel-drive model — $1,800 more than the comparably equipped outgoing model. The hybrid models start at $33,695, similar to the outgoing base Hybrid’s $33,255 price.
The new CR-V is bigger for 2023, with a gain of 2.7 inches in overall length that translates to more cargo space and passenger room. It also sees an updated hybrid powertrain and a revised multimedia system.
Powertrains and MPG
Honda streamlined the CR-V’s trim levels for 2023 — there are now only four. The EX and EX-L trims use a carryover turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower and pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission that Honda says has been retuned. With FWD, the engine has an EPA-estimated rating of 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. With the available all-wheel drive, it’s rated at 27/32/29 mpg. These numbers are the same as the outgoing model’s ratings.
2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring | Cars.com photo by Steven Pham
The upper-level Sport and Sport Touring trims use Honda’s all-new hybrid system that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a pair of side-by-side electric motors, one of which is a new, larger propulsion motor. This updated hybrid system results in a gas-electric combined rating of 204 hp, similar to the outgoing Hybrid.
AWD is available on Sport trims and standard on Sport Touring models. With FWD, the hybrid system has an EPA-estimated 43/36/40 mpg; AWD drops those figures to 40/34/37 mpg. For 2022, the Hybrid model was AWD-only, and it was EPA-rated at 40/35/38 mpg, which means the new hybrid system’s fuel economy is down slightly from last year.
Pricing, Features and Release Date
As with last year’s model, the new CR-V comes standard with a robust list of safety features, including an expanded version of the Honda Sensing system with features such as forward collision warning and automatic braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following, and lane keep assist. New safety standards include a rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder.
Trim pricing is below:
- EX (FWD): $32,355
- EX (AWD): $33,855
- EX-L (FWD): $35,005
- EX-L (AWD): $36,505
- Sport (FWD): $33,695
- Sport (AWD): $35,195
- Sport Touring (AWD): $39,845
How do these prices compare with the CR-V’s main rival, the Toyota RAV4? A base FWD 2022 RAV4 starts lower at $28,310, and a base 2022 AWD RAV4 Hybrid also starts lower than the CR-V hybrid models at $30,910. The RAV4 Hybrid beats the 2023 CR-V in fuel economy, too, when comparing AWD models; the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid is EPA-rated at 41/38/40 mpg.
Regular versions of the 2023 Honda CR-V go on sale Sept. 22. Hybrid models will go on sale in October.
Related Video:
Keyword: 2023 Honda CR-V: Prices on the Rise, Hybrid MPG on the Slide