(July 13, 2022) America’s best-selling SUV of the past quarter century just raised the stakes, as the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V debuts with a rugged and sophisticated design, along with a new, more advanced 4th-generation hybrid-electric system for a fuel-efficient, sporty and more capable driving experience. CR-V hybrid models are positioned as the top of the CR-V lineup and will represent about 50 percent of sales for this 6th generation, a key step in the Honda electrification strategy. The 2023 CR-V is launching this summer, with the Hybrid model launching later in the year.

The new CR-V is longer and wider with premium proportions and a significantly broader stance, further advancing the new Honda design direction with a low horizontal beltline and a long, powerful front end. Honda’s most popular SUV backs up its strong new looks with a more fun-to-drive personality, more confident and refined dynamics, and increased torque and capability.

CR-V is available in four trim levels, including the new hybrid-powered and more boldly styled CR-V Sport and Sport Touring as the new top of the CR-V model line. With 247 lb.-ft of torque from the new generation two-motor hybrid system, they are the most powerful CR-Vs ever.

Inside, the new sporty and modern interior brings fine craftsmanship, high-quality feel of materials and must-have tech features. It’s also more quiet and more comfortable, with new front Body Stabilizing Seats to reduce fatigue and improve posture, and the most cabin and cargo space in CR-V history. Standard class-leading safety features include a new Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology with a new wide-view camera and radar, next-gen front airbags, as well as new rear side-impact and knee airbags.

“As America’s outright best-selling SUV of the past 25 years the Honda CR-V has played a critical role in our past, but what’s significant about the all-new CR-V is the important role it will play in our future – with the CR-V hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales,” said Mike Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda sales at American Honda. “More stylish, more rugged, more tech and more fun-to-drive, this 6th generation CR-V will be best in class in a large segment where that really matters.”

The 2023 CR-V features all-new rugged and sophisticated styling that further advances Honda’s rugged exterior design direction for its light trucks, taking inspiration from the recently redesigned Ridgeline and Passport TrailSport. A strong horizontal beltline highlights its increased overall length (+2.7 inches longer), while a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and 0.4 inches of additional width give it a stronger, more aggressive presence.

The repositioning of its windshield pillars is key to CR-V’s new sportier proportions and improved visibility. The base of these A-pillars has moved 4.7 inches rearward, 2.8 inches outward and 1.4 inches lower. Together with new door-mounted side mirrors, these changes radically improve outward visibility.

Emphasizing the strong new styling is a large, upright grille, a long hood and standard LED headlights. EX and EX-L feature a gloss black grille mesh with a chrome trim, body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals and standard 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. A sleek body-color roof spoiler and a new, all-LED interpretation of signature vertical taillights make the 6th-generation CR-V instantly recognizable from the rear.

With clean surfacing, high-quality feel of materials and upscale touches, the all-new sporty and modern interior builds on the new Honda design direction. CR-V is also more comfortable and more spacious than ever, with a notably larger front-to-rear-seat couple distance and more rear seat legroom (+0.6 inches). The rear seats now feature eight angles of recline for increased comfort.

The top of the instrument panel has been designed with minimal cutlines to reduce windshield reflections and other potential visual distractions. A striking metal honeycomb mesh spanning the dash serves both form and function, concealing the air vents that would otherwise mar the uncluttered and harmonious design.

New front Body Stabilizing Seats reduce fatigue over long drives and the steering wheel angle is more sedan-like for a more comfortable, sportier driving position. Between the front seats is the largest center console bin in its class with nine liters of space.

The 2023 CR-V has the most cargo room in the model’s history with 36.3 cubic feet available behind the rear seats. In EX and EX-L, the rear load floor can be lowered, expanding the cargo space to 39.3 cubic feet. With the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded flat, cargo space expands to 76.5 cubic feet.



For a sportier driving feel, CR-V Sport and Sport Touring feature an all-new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system with a newly refined 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine that adds direct fuel injection and is mated to a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side. This new configuration allows for the use of a larger propulsion motor with increased torque output. Combined system output is 204 hp (a 3 hp increase, ISO net), while the traction-motor peak torque rises to 247 lb.-ft. of torque (up 15 lb.-ft.).

The hybrid-electric system is more refined at highway speeds and for the first time offers up to 1,000 pounds of towing capacity. Linear Shift Control elevates the driving experience by mimicking the vehicle speed-linked rev feel associated with a conventional drivetrain shifting gears at wide open throttle. The new hybrid-electric system also allows for a substantial increase in continuous maximum speed—which climbs from 86 mph to 115 mph.

Under the hood of the CR-V EX and EX-L is an updated 1.5-liter turbo engine with additional refinement, improved emissions performance and 190 horsepower. Enhancements include a new high-efficiency, high-response turbocharger and 4-2 exhaust port cylinder head that help the 4-cylinder engine maintain peak power over a broader range of rpm. Its torque peak of 179 lb.-ft. also arrives 300-rpm earlier, from 1,700-5,000 rpm, improving response. Engine noise also has been reduced significantly.

The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for the 1.5-liter turbo has been updated to reduce noise and vibration. Significant drivability and performance improvements include Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle.