The Honda CR-V is as likable and friendly as a Golden Retriever. The compact SUV’s 2023 redesign went deep to hone its qualities with much attention to detail.

The Honda CR-V went on sale in 1997 for the 1998 model year. This stalwart small SUV has gone on to be the best-selling crossover in America, Honda says. (Photos by Mark Maynard)

Table of Contents

Small Vehicle, Large Role
What’s New for 2023?
Soundproofed To the Max!
7 Outstanding Features
2023 Honda CR-V Pricing
Hybrid Warranty Coverage
CR-V Hybrid Powertrain and Fuel Economy
Safety Features and Technologies
Interior Function
Likes and Don’t Likes
Why Buy the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Has it really been 25 years since Honda launched the first CR-V? I remember being on the first media drive in 1997. First impressions were not overwhelmingly positive at the time. This new breed of small SUV looked spindly, especially from the rear view showing its trailing arm multilink suspension bars. But it was cute. And it had a cargo-floor card table that could be removed for camping or soccer-game snack duty. The folding table had a center hole for an umbrella, and a “jug” size indent was in the tailgate door.

In the Beginning

The little CR-V was the “I think I can” of small SUVs. From its humble beginning, the Honda CR-V has thrived. The CR-V is the outright best-selling crossover in America for over a quarter century, Honda says.

The first-generation Honda CR-V, codenamed RD1, was Honda’s first in-house designed sport utility vehicle, per its page in Wikipedia. First sold in Japan, the CR-V was built to exceed the Japanese government’s compact-car regulations. To avoid more expensive road-use taxes, vehicle width could not be more than 66.9 inches or just about 5 1/2 feet. And that explains its spindly stance. Today, the CR-V width is a full-bodied 73.5 inches.

There were few choices in the dawning of the CUV segment or compact utility. Among the nameplates were the Kia Sportage, Suzuki Vitara, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

Honda’s new compact CR-V brought a rethinking for American motorists. Accustomed to that era’s large and midsize SUVs, the CR-V launched in one trim level with a 126-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain included the then-innovative Real Time all-wheel-drive system. It is the same type of system today but much evolved.

Headspace and elbow room for tall drivers.

Small Vehicle, Big Role

The CR-V has played a critical role in Honda’s past, but what’s significant about the new CR-V is its important role in Honda’s future, Mike Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda sales at American Honda, said in a release. He expects the new CR-V Hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales.

And 50 percent of 2023 CR-V sales will be significant. Last year, sales of the CR-V totaled 238,155. And so far in 2023, CR-V sales are a robust 67,241, according to GoodCarBadCar.net

In May, the new CR-V sold more than 30,000 units for the second straight month with hybrid sales of 18,264 units, Honda said in its monthly sales report.

The Honda CR-V is as likable and friendly as a Golden Retriever. It’s almost impossible not to like it, owners say. It has been a favorite for young families, parents transitioning from a minivan to something more convenient, and the hand-me-down to teen drivers.

It was already a stalwart SUV, so the 2023 redesign went deep to hone its qualities with much attention to detail.

Many small SUVs have gone slash-happy for trend-setting appeal but at a cost to cabin function and driver sightlines. The CR-V has real credibility without the glitz and gimmicks of dazzling light shows or sounds of nature mood music.

Body Stabilizing Seats.

What’s New for the 2023 CR-V?

Now in its sixth generation, the 2023 CR-V has been completely redesigned. Its length is a mere 2.7 inches longer with less than a half inch (0.5 inch) in width, but it gives much wider appeal to a broader group of buyers.

The new body is 15 percent stiffer, which helps eliminate the flex that can transfer harsh sounds to the cabin. And the wheelbase was lengthened by 1.6 inches, which gives the CR-V a steadier highway ride that is less prone to highway surface irregularities and wandering caused by rain grooves.

A 0.4-inch wider front and rear tracks contribute to cornering and emergency maneuvers stability.

Most noticeable for owners of older models and new customers will be the premium treatment of interior materials, especially on touchpoints. The remodel gave attention to the operation of all switchgear and controls, including the click and heft of knobs, stalks, and switches. And turn signal and windshield wiper stalks are reshaped to be easier to see behind the steering wheel spokes.

The wide instrument panel has contemporary styling without arcs and curves. Rather than old-timer’s wood trim, an attractive honeycomb-embossed pattern hides fingerprints and scratches. Metallic trim has a satisfying appeal.

The CR-V Hybrid Sport models have 19-inch black wheels.

Soundproofed To the Max

Everyone who rode with me in my test week commented on the quiet and calm cabin. That’s a selling point for me, which might be why Honda went deep on soundproofing.

Road noise is significantly reduced with new sound-absorbing non-woven fabric front and rear fender liners and the front floor undercover. New sound-absorbing insulation covers the floor, with spray-type urethane foam improving noise insulation by reducing the body gap at the base of the pillars. Sport Touring models also feature noise-reducing wheel liners.

New isolators on the inner and outer firewall reduce engine noise inside the cabin. Sport and Sport Touring hybrid models feature additional insulators on the underside of the hood and cowl, inside the fenders, underneath the instrument panel, and around the cargo opening.

To reduce wind noise, CR-V EX, EX-L, and Sport feature thicker front side glass, while EX-L and Sport Touring add an acoustic windshield, and Sport Touring has acoustic front side glass.

Active Noise Control through the audio system further reduces ambient (booming) noise in the cabin.

A noise-canceling system and sound-absorption materials insulate the cabin from most encroaching sounds.

CR-V Exterior Redesign

The CR-V is no sex jet in its exterior styling, but it is shapely enough while maintaining a broad and open cabin from the front seats to the cargo area. However, the CR-V Hybrid Sport and Sport Touring have a somewhat gaudy “godfather” treatment to the lower grille valance.

With the 2023 updates, the CR-V is a remarkable transformation from what was already a well-loved compact SUV. Honda says the redesigned 2023 CR-V is 2.7 inches longer but less than an inch wider with a significantly broader stance.

It looks big, mainly from the roofline and horizontal body line, but it still drives small.

Noteworthy in the redesign are the windshield A-pillars. They are positioned 4.7 inches rearward, 2.8 inches outward, and 1.4 inches lower. With new door-mounted side mirrors, the changes improve visibility across the hood and at the side mirrors when turning in an intersection.

Hybrid models have more attitude in the front and rear fascias. The grille has a mesh treatment with a gloss-black accent. Sport trims have a lower bumper design in piano black and platinum colored on Sport Touring. Sport and Sport Touring trims also get polished stainless steel exhaust finishers and black roof rails. The underside of the rear spoiler is matte black for Sport and piano black for Sport Touring.

Sport models have orange stitching on the wheel and seats.

7 Outstanding CR-V Features

These seven bullet points are what I look for in vehicle evaluations. And the redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid exceeds expectations.

Soundproofing: Honda has applied every technique in the engineer’s manual to give the CR-V the quietest ride of the segment.

Suspension: It is a simple steel-spring, independent setup with a luxurious ride quality. And more importantly, the suspension irons out rough, pock-marked roads with a carpet ride.

Steering: The turning circle is tight at 37.3 feet, and the wheel has smooth rotation. The leathery material that wraps the steering wheel feels almost sensual in the hands — a reward for keeping hands on the wheel.

Door openings: The engineers gave a few degrees more access to the doors, a space that reaches 90 or almost 90 degrees. Wider is better for back doors when buckling children into car seats.

Sightlines: The repositioned windshield and side mirrors give unobstructed sightlines. Rear views are open, too, with a large rear glass.

B-Mode regenerative braking: The CR-V can be driven with one-pedal control while deceleration pipes energy back to the hybrid battery.

Fuel economy: I swear I was getting better mileage than the official estimates of 40 mpg city, 34 highway, and 37 mpg combined. Honda integrates so many electronic enhancements into the CR-V Hybrid that it rivals a plug-in hybrid for fuel economy. The total driving range is 518 miles — possibly more with careful driving.

A 9-inch information screen.

2023 Honda CR-V Pricing

The CR-V is available in trim levels of LX, EX, EX-L, and hybrid models of CR-V Sport and Sport Touring, today’s tester. The hybrid models are the new top-of-the-line models.

A CR-V hybrid model is available with front-wheel drive for the first time. The CR-V Sport is available with front or all-wheel drive. Real Time AWD drive is standard on the CR-V Sport Touring.

CR-V gas models have powertrains of a 190-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine and e-CVT. Starting prices range from $29,705 to $35,005.

Pricing for the CR-V Sport Hybrid starts at $33,695, and $40,395 for the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is well equipped with limited factory options for metallic paint colors, $455, and utility and interior protection packages. Accessory choices range from bike and kayak racks to a tent ($408).

The Sport treatment has a black headliner and orange contrast stitching on the black cloth seats, console, door panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and shifter. The dash trim is matte black.

The top-of-the-line Sport Touring gets standard leather-trimmed upholstery in black or gray with black accent panels and orange contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, doors, console, and shifter. The power window switches have silver trim, with piano black along the dash.

The 2023 CR-V and CR-V hybrid models are manufactured in three plants in Ohio, Indiana, and Canada. My tester, with no options or accessories, was assembled in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

Check here for current pricing and offers.

Plenty of storage areas throughout the cabin.

Up-Market Features

The CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring has the expected up-market features to support its $40,000 price. Among the desirable features are: Smartkey entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, electric parking brake, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines,12-speaker Bose audio system, power moonroof with tilt, heated front seats, heated steering-wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar, four-way power front passenger seat. A more complete list is below in the specifications sidebar.

Vacation trips will be more comfortable with the new Body Stabilizing Seats. The design treatment is to help reduce fatigue and improve posture. Among the seat innovations:

• A resin mat that supports the area from the pelvis to the lumbar spine for a more stable and solid seating feel.
• Forward and lateral pelvic tilt are reduced by the new curve of the seat bottom.
• The seat also centers the upper body over the pelvis, helping stabilize the upper arms and the driver’s eyesight.

CR-V Hybrid Warranty Coverage

Honda’s new-vehicle warranty covers just 3 years or 36,000 miles with 2 years of free maintenance, but there is significant coverage for the hybrid elements.

For states that have adopted California emissions standards, hybrid components have a warranty of 15 years and 150,000 miles. The hybrid battery has coverage for 10 years and 150,000 miles.

Included in the warranty coverage are the following:

• Hybrid Battery module and internal components
• Drive and Motor Generator stators and rotors;
• Drive motor control module, including software;
• Battery control module, including internal components and software updates;
• High-voltage and bypass contactors, resistor, and fuse;
• High-voltage power cables;
• Battery current sensor.

204 hp combined hybrid-gas power. Mileage ratings are 40/34/37 mpg city/highway/combined.

CR-V Hybrid Powertrain

Honda hybrids have a unique powertrain. The Atkinson-cycle 2-liter four-cylinder has new direct- and multistage injection. The two-part system improves cleaner combustion for reduced carbon buildup over time.

Combined power ratings are 204 hp and 247 foot-pounds of torque.

I don’t like most continuously variable transmissions because of their rev-and-wail performance as the belt catches up with engine power. However, Honda’s e-CVT has Step Shift programming that simulates gear changes and gives downshifts during braking. Acceleration has absolute launch force without lag or obnoxious engine sounds.

A new “B” transmission setting amplifies regenerative and engine braking to put power back into the battery for more electric driving. B mode also allows “one pedal” driving (common among battery-electric vehicles) for deceleration. Paddles at the steering wheel can increase the level of slowdown.

Honda’s Real Time AWD system is simple and intelligent. It functions in front-wheel drive until conditions deteriorate; then up to 50 percent of engine torque can be sent to the rear wheels. When starting on snow, for example, the system quickly sends power to the rear wheels to minimize the potential for front wheel spin. Dive into a corner — or in an emergency maneuver — and the system can also send power rearward for stability.

CVT Drive Modes

There are four drive modes of CVT performance, but I spent most of my week in Normal.

Normal: A balance between fuel efficiency and driving performance;

ECON: Fuel efficiency is prioritized by changing the ratio of pedal input-throttle opening. Air conditioning is set to a more efficient cycle. (ECON performance was maddingly resistant to acceleration and not worth its incremental benefit.)

Sport: This Hybrid-only mode sharpens throttle response, and the Active Sound Control opens the muffler for a sporty tone, though I did not notice a tone difference. Sport mode is my quickness tool in heavy traffic to guard against other drivers trying to sneak in.

Snow: For low traction surfaces, Snow mode softens throttle response and adjusts the transmission and Real Time 4WD. Idle start-stop is disabled, and engine braking is increased.

Two-motor hybrid system

Since 2014, Honda has used a two-motor hybrid system. One motor is for driving, and the other is for generating power for the hybrid battery.

The two electric motors are now side-by-side rather than in-line. The new positioning has multiple benefits, Honda says. Among them is a larger, more powerful propulsion motor. It has increased torque of 247 lb.-ft., an additional 15 lb.-ft. than before. And more torque gives a stronger launch force from a stop.

When idling and at low speed on battery power, the hybrid system emits an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. It sounds like a machined angel chorus, but it effectively alerts pedestrians.

CR-V Fuel Economy Ratings

Front-wheel-drive gas-powered Honda CR-V models have fuel-economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 mpg combined, or 27/32/29 mpg with all-wheel drive. All CR-V models use 87-octane fuel.

Hybrid models have mileage ratings of 43/36/40 mpg for the Sport front-drive and 40/34/37 mpg with AWD. The all-wheel-drive Hybrid Sport Touring (with standard AWD) has ratings of 40/34/37 mpg.

In my week of testing a Sport Touring Hybrid, the onboard computer showed fuel economy around town in the mid-20s to mid-30s and up to 41.1 mpg on extended highway drives.

The navigation system helps to stretch mileage in the CR-V Sport and Sport Touring with Predictive Eco Assist. The navigation system can predict when regen energy will be optimized, such as on downhill slopes, and it also prioritizes EV assist in maximizing efficiency.

Wide door openings are helpful when putting kids in car seats.

Safety Features and Technologies

In addition to 10 air bags, the 2023 CR-V is bristling with safety features and driver-assist technologies in the Honda Sensing system.

Its new features include a front sensor camera and radar, Traffic Jam Assist (in stop-and-go cruise control), and Traffic Sign Recognition. With TSR, the front camera reads traffic signs and displays them through the instrument cluster, infotainment screen, or head-up display. It is a ticket-saver when speed signs are so far and few between.

Other driver-assist features include:

• Low-Speed Braking Control;
• Updated Adaptive Cruise Control;
• Lane Keeping Assist;
• And a new blind spot information system.

The elements in Honda Sensing combine to provide Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The system will steer, accelerate, and stop when activated with advanced cruise control. In my experience, Honda’s system gave precise control in highway cornering and never let the CR-V drift wide across the lines or Botts dots. Not all such systems are as accurate.

Traffic Jam Assist will be of value for commuters in high-stress traffic. When activated, the system will keep pace with traffic, slow and accelerate as needed, or stop, then start again.

CR-V Interior Function

Slide behind the steering wheel and enjoy the wedgie-free bolstering of the front seats. The front seats have width and thigh support for even large adults. Tall adults will have head clearance of 38.2 inches — with the sunroof.

Honda designers resisted the temptation to load the instrument panel with wide digital screens for cabin controls and infotainment. There is a 9-inch screen to access all the deep dives for navigation, camera system, phone, audio, and vehicle settings. But behold, Honda gave us knobs, dials, and push-buttons, oh my. It is an easy reach to adjust the temperature, fan speed, or audio volume.

The shift console neatly packages the sturdy shifter, drive-mode controls, and an e-bin with a charging pad, USB ports, and a 12-volt plug. There’s enough space next to the charging pad for a passenger’s phone to plug in.

The feel to switchgear and other cabin controls was refined, including the click action and heft of knobs, stalks, and switches.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

Some of the added length to the CR-V went to a half-inch more back seat legroom, now at 41 inches. Seatbacks can recline in eight angles (up from two angles), which is an asset for parents to make sleepy children comfortable. And improved LATCH anchors make it easier for parents to quickly and properly install front and rear-facing child seats.

Cargo space grew by more than 6 cubic feet to 39.3 cu.ft. behind the second row and 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The space is broad and rectangular. The cargo opening is 44 inches wide, 33 ½ inches tall, with 6 feet in length with the back seat folded.

There is no understorage because of the hybrid battery. Nor is there space for a temporary spare. Instead, a tire-inflator system is stored in the cargo area’s left side.

Fold the back seat for 6 feet in length and 33 inches in height at the entry.

Likes and Don’t Likes

There was not much I did not like about the 2023 CR-V — and I did not feel that way about the previous model.

I might have wished for ventilated front seats or a front view to the camera when parking (though it does have overhead and curb views).

It seems cheap not to include a cargo-area roller cover because any parcel or bag exposed today tempts a smash-and-grab theft. The accessory is $180.

The Sport’s black alloy wheels are another problem. Once you scrape one, the silver alloy shines through, looking uglier with time. And if a buyer wants a hybrid trim level, both Sport trim levels have black wheels and the bolder fascia treatment.

Why Buy the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid?

My test week put me in a quandary. I plan to buy a compact-class SUV to replace our 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. It has 135,000 miles and a replaced hybrid battery.

My preference had been a plug-in hybrid. I like the idea of a plug-in because I have a home charger, and the girlfriend-wife could do an entire week’s driving in battery mode.

Top of my list was the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in, with 33 miles of battery driving. I liked almost everything about it, especially its luxe interior treatment of the Tucson Limited. (Here’s my review: https://maynardsgarage.com/?s=hyundai+tucson)

I also considered the Toyota RAV4 Prime for its 42 miles of battery driving. But it was $5,000 more than the Tucson PHEV, and the RAV4 did not have the driving or interior refinement.

We tend to keep vehicles longer than the new-vehicle and hybrid-element warranties. Because of that, I would lease a plug-in because of battery life and its expensive replacement cost. But I would purchase the CR-V Hybrid.

Crunch the mileage numbers, and the CR-V Hybrid’s total range (518 miles) is two to three gallons shorter than the RAV4 Prime at 600 miles. And the Honda Hybrid goes farther than the Tucson PHEV’s 480 miles.

After a week with the CR-V Hybrid, I learned I might not need a plug-in. It is more efficient for driving trips, and it would be a long-term keeper.

Check the mileage ratings of other vehicles at FuelEconomy.gov.

The 2023 Honda CR-V is 15 percent stiffer than previous models.

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-door, 5-seat SUV

Hybrid engine: 145-hp, direct- and multistage 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder, with active grille shutters;

Electric motor: 181-hp, AC Synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor

Combined power: 204 hp, 247 lb.-ft. torque

Battery: high-voltage lithium-Ion;

Transmission: e-CVT with drive modes of Econ, Normal, Sport, Snow

Fuel economy: 40/34/37 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended; with capless fuel filler

Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 14 gallons

Cargo space: 39.3 to 76.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 38.2/41.3 inches

Rear head/leg room: 38.2/41 inches

Length/wheelbase: 184.8/106.3 inches

Height/width: 66.5/73.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,926 pounds

Turning circle: 37.3 feet

FEATURES

Standard CR-V Sport Touring equipment includes: Smartkey entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, electric parking brake, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 9-inch color touch screen with navigation and voice recognition, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines,12-speaker Bose audio system, power moonroof with tilt, LED headlights and taillights, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, heated steering-wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar, 4-way power front passenger seat, rear window wiper-washer (reverse-linked) with heated wiper zone, heated and power side mirrors with LED turn indicators, hands-free power tailgate, lockable glove compartment, LED map lights, 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels with 235/55 19-inch all-season tires, floor mats, reclining fold-down 60/40 rear seatback;

Safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors;

Advanced safety technologies: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System;

Driver-Assist technologies: Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, Low-Speed Braking Control, Parking Sensors front and rear.

CR-V Hybrid Braking, Suspension, Steering

Brakes: Ventilated 12.3-inch front discs; solid 12.2-inch rear discs.

Tires and Wheels: CR-V Sport trims have Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. Sport Touring trims have Berlina Black 19-inch split 5-spoke alloys. The Sport Touring tester was fitted with Continental CrossContact LX Sport all-season tires, 235/55.

Suspension: Front MacPherson struts with a multi-link double wishbone rear and stabilizer bars front and rear.

PRICING

Hybrid Sport Touring base price: $40,395, including $1,295 freight charge

Options on test vehicle: none

Where assembled: Alliston, Ontario, Canada

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 2 years of free maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain