2023 Honda CR-V

2023 is the launch year of the sixth-generation CR-V (on sale September 2022). The gas volume trim (EX) carries over the 1.5L turbo four at 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm. The two-motor hybrid is the lineup max at 204 hp.

The gas 1.5T makes 179 lb-ft across a broad plateau, which is low for the SUV band. The hybrid's 247 lb-ft motor torque belongs to a different powertrain class and is not scored here.

Car and Driver's instrumented test of a 2023 EX-L AWD 1.5T ran 8.5 s, and other published figures fall between 7.9 and 8.2 s. The instrumented figure is used.

The 1.5T is quiet and smooth at cruise, and its low-rpm torque plateau limits turbo lag. It feels strained on highway merges and grades with a load, a step behind the hybrid that reviewers praised.

The gas CR-V's CVT uses stepped-shift logic under hard throttle and is one of the better CVTs. It still flares revs and drones when pushed.

Honda rates the gas CR-V to tow 1,500 lbs and the hybrid 1,000 lbs, both near the bottom of the SUV band.

Real-Time AWD is optional on every gas trim (LX/EX/EX-L) and on the Sport hybrid, and standard on the Sport Touring hybrid. It is a reactive on-demand system with a snow mode, with no torque vectoring, terrain suite or low range.

This is a pavement-oriented SUV. It has 7.8 in (FWD) / 8.2 in (AWD) of ground clearance and AWD for snow and gravel, but no skid plates, all-terrain tires or terrain modes. There is no TrailSport trim in 2023.

There are two mainstream powertrains, the 1.5T gas and the 2.0L two-motor hybrid, each with FWD or AWD. There is no PHEV or EV for 2023.

EPA rates the 2023 gas AWD CR-V at 29 MPG combined; FWD gas models rate 30.

EPA rates the gas AWD volume configuration at 27 MPG city.

EPA rates the gas AWD volume configuration at 32 MPG highway.

The 14.0-gal tank and 29 MPG combined give about 406 miles for the gas AWD volume trim. The small tank keeps range below the segment midpoint.

This is EPA's estimate for the gas AWD volume configuration at its standard assumptions (15k mi/yr, 55% city, regular fuel).

EPA lists the 1.5T as running on regular gasoline, and it has no charging needs. Honda's 2023 press spec table prints '91 Octane Recommended', which conflicts with the EPA listing, so the score sits a little below the top of the band.

2023 is the launch year of the sixth-generation CR-V. NHTSA rated the AWD model 5 stars overall, with 4-star frontal and rollover sub-ratings. The FWD model has 4-star frontal and 5-star side results but no overall rating.

The 2023 CR-V earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ under the 2023 criteria, with Good small-overlap (both sides), original moderate-overlap and updated side results. The updated moderate-overlap test was Poor because of rear-passenger restraint and kinematics, which holds the score just below the top band.

Honda Sensing is standard on every 2023 trim: AEB, ACC with Low-Speed Follow, LKAS, Traffic Jam Assist and auto high beams. Blind Spot Information comes on the EX volume gas trim but not the base LX. Cross Traffic Monitor is listed only on the Sport Touring, and chip shortages led Honda to build some LX and Sport units without these features.

In IIHS testing the standard CMBS was Superior for daytime pedestrians and Advanced for nighttime pedestrians, but only Acceptable in the vehicle-to-vehicle test.

Blind Spot Information is absent on the LX and on chip-shortage builds. Cross Traffic Monitor is clearly listed only on the Sport Touring, with sources disagreeing on whether the EX/EX-L get it. Both systems only warn and do not brake or steer.

Standard LKAS gives lane centering on marked roads, and Traffic Jam Assist adds low-speed support. Reviewers find it competent but prone to some wander, and it drops out on faded lane lines.

ACC with Low-Speed Follow is standard and handles stop-and-go traffic. Together with LKAS and the new Traffic Jam Assist it makes a usable hands-on highway assist, though it is sometimes slow to resume.

No 2023 CR-V trim offers hands-free highway driving.

IIHS rates the headlights Good, and high-beam assist is standard on every trim, so the volume trim gets top-rated lighting. Curve-adaptive lighting is not offered.

A tall greenhouse, slim A-pillars and a low cowl give better-than-average sightlines for the class. Gas trims have only a multi-angle rearview camera and no surround view, and front/rear parking sensors are limited to the EX-L and Sport Touring.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Acceptable, with two fully equipped and accessible rear positions. The new generation's longer wheelbase, roomy rear seat and wide-opening rear doors make car seats easy to fit.

All 2023 US CR-V trims are two-row five-seaters; the 7-seat layout is not sold in the US.

The volume EX carries the moonroof, which trims front headroom to 38.2 in — below average for compact SUVs.

Front legroom is adequate but not class-leading.

Rear headroom is mid-pack for the segment.

41 in of rear legroom is near the top of the compact SUV class — the sixth-gen's standout space metric.

No third row is offered on any US 2023 CR-V; two-row SUV scores in the low band.

39.3 cu ft is excellent for a compact SUV, though the SUV band spans up to three-row giants.

76.5 cu ft maximum is among the largest in the compact class.

Practical console and door bins and a big, low, flat-folding cargo hold; no AC outlet or standout storage innovation, and the 2023 gas trims have only USB-A ports.

Supportive front seats with a 10-way power driver seat and power lumbar on EX and up, and a reclining rear bench; rear cushion is not exceptional.

Reviewers singled out the sixth-gen's improved ride — soft without floating and quick to settle over sharp bumps.

Better-isolated than the fifth gen, but road and tire noise remain noticeable at highway speeds in several reviews.

Heated front seats, dual-zone auto climate and remote start arrive on the volume EX, but there are no ventilated seats and the heated wheel is Sport Touring-only; no rear climate zone.

The sixth-generation CR-V launched in September 2022 with the EX ($31,110) as the entry gas trim. The LX joined later in the 2023 model year at $28,410 for 2WD, which with the $1,245 destination charge is a competitive entry price for a mainstream compact SUV.

The EX-L tops the 2023 gas ladder (LX, EX, EX-L) and is the representative volume gas trim, priced at $33,760 for 2WD plus $1,245 destination. The hybrid Sport ($32,450) and Sport Touring ($38,600) belong to the other powertrain class.

Edmunds' 2023 True Cost to Own projects about $6,230–6,710 in maintenance and $2,025–2,275 in repairs over five years across gas trims, roughly $8,250–8,990 in total. The low end is used because Honda Service Pass covers the first two years of oil changes and rotations. CarEdge's lifetime-model estimate is much lower (about $2,425), so this figure is conservative.

CarEdge projects the CR-V losing only 29% over five years (~71% retained), and other residual trackers put it at about 62%, well above the ~50% compact-SUV average. A blended ~66% is used, consistent with the adjacent sixth-generation model years.

Honda's New-Vehicle Limited Warranty is the industry-baseline 3 years / 36,000 miles, short of Hyundai/Kia's 5 yr / 60k.

The Powertrain Limited Warranty on the gas 1.5T is 5 years / 60,000 miles, half the length of Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubishi's 10 yr / 100k coverage.

Honda Service Pass debuted with the 2023 model year and covers Maintenance Minder oil changes, tire rotations and multi-point inspections for 2 years / 24,000 miles, transferable to later owners. Roadside assistance runs for the 3-year basic warranty. That is on par with ToyotaCare (2 yr / 25k), with no other meaningful perks.

$35,005 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (66% retained, or about $23,103) leaves about $11,902 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,300 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,202 in total.

2023 is the first model year of the sixth-generation CR-V (unveiled July 2022), and first-year redesigns are unproven. Outside predictions put it at about average to good: J.D. Power carried over an 80/100 rating, and Consumer Reports rates it about average for its model year.

Honda is a reliable brand that ranks mid-to-upper pack in recent dependability studies. It sits behind Lexus and Toyota and is not consistently top-five, but it beats most non-Japanese mainstream brands.

The scored gas 2023 CR-V has three recalls. Two are large multi-model Honda campaigns: low-pressure fuel pump failure, and steering-gearbox friction behind the generation's 'sticky steering' complaints. The third is a small seat-weld fix. The hybrid-only battery and fuel-pump campaigns do not apply. This is typical-to-heavy activity for a first-year redesign.

The gas volume trims (LX/EX/EX-L) carry over the 1.5L turbo-four and CVT the CR-V has used since 2017, now retuned for the new generation. The pairing has a good high-mileage record, but the 2017–2018 oil-dilution history and the 2023 fuel-pump campaign keep it out of the top band.

The redesigned cabin's materials are competitive for the price but not class-leading. Reviewers note a fair amount of hard plastic, masked by well-placed soft surfaces and solid switchgear.

Assembly is generally tight, and reviewers note the lack of rattles. As the generation's launch year, it drew scattered owner complaints about trim panels and a small seat-weld recall, so it sits just below the later years.

Honda has one of the densest mainstream dealer networks in the US, and service satisfaction is average to above average for a mass-market brand.

As one of America's best-selling SUVs, the CR-V has cheap, plentiful OEM parts and a huge aftermarket, and its repair costs run below the segment average. The new generation's body-specific parts were slightly less widespread in the aftermarket in its first year.

The volume EX gets a 7-in screen, the smallest size in the band; 9 in is reserved for EX-L and Sport Touring.

Simple, responsive software with physical volume/tuning knobs and climate controls; small screen on volume trims limits it.

CarPlay/Android Auto standard on all trims but wired on the volume LX/EX/Sport; wireless only with the 9-in screen.

Native navigation is limited to the Sport Touring; most owners rely on phone projection.

Six-speaker 240-W system on EX is adequate; Bose 12-speaker premium audio available on the top trim.

Every 2023 trim gets a 7-in TFT meter beside an analog speedometer; no fully digital cluster offered.

No over-the-air vehicle software updates are advertised for the 2023 CR-V; updates are dealer-performed.

HondaLink app offers basic functions; remote start on volume trims is key-fob-based, with connected remote features tied to the Sport Touring's telematics and subscription.

2023 trims use USB-A only; the volume EX gets two front ports and no rear USB (rear ports only on Sport/Sport Touring), wireless charging only on EX-L/Sport Touring; USB-C arrived for 2024.

Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock and remote start from EX up; power tailgate needs EX-L and hands-free tailgate is Sport Touring-only; no phone-as-key.

Multi-angle rear camera on all trims, but parking sensors only on EX-L and Sport Touring and no surround-view camera on any trim.

No head-up display offered on any 2023 CR-V trim.

Wide-opening rear doors, 41 in of rear legroom for rear-facing seats and a 39.3 cu ft cargo hold make it an easy family hauler; LATCH ease only Acceptable.

Top Safety Pick+ and standard Honda Sensing with rear-seat reminder on every trim; blind-spot monitoring costs extra over LX and the updated moderate-overlap rear-passenger test was Poor.

Roomy rear and big cargo area, but the volume EX has no rear USB ports or rear climate zone, and road noise is noticeable.

Smooth ride, easy controls and standard ACC with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Jam Assist make commuting relaxed; gas engine is merely adequate.

29–30 MPG combined on regular-friendly fuel is average for a gas compact SUV; the hybrid is the thrifty choice.

Compact footprint and good visibility, 37.3 ft turning circle; parking sensors absent on the volume EX.

1,500-lb towing (gas) and a big cargo hold handle light chores only.

Honda's reputation is strong, but a new-generation first year with the 1.5T (whose earlier oil-dilution history lingers) is unproven under hard use.

Only 12-V outlets, no AC power; roof rails only on Sport trims; hitch and crossbars are dealer accessories.

Comfortable ride and standard ACC/LKAS help long trips; ~406 mi range and some road noise limit it.

Real-time AWD and 8.2 in of clearance handle gravel and snow; light tow rating and no off-road hardware.

Large 39.3/76.5 cu ft hold with a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat; roof rails only on Sport trims.

Composed and secure, with better body control than the fifth gen; all-season tires give up early when pushed.

Accurate and well weighted, but typically numb.

Strong initial bite and natural pedal; no standout instrumented stopping figures found for the gas model.

The 190-hp 1.5T and CVT are smooth around town but short on passing punch.

CVT drone under hard throttle; quiet when cruising.

Average turning circle for a compact SUV.

Good outward visibility, logical physical controls and a 10-way power driver seat on EX.

Pleasant but appliance-like in gas form; the hybrid is the livelier choice.

Every 2023 CR-V gets the full Honda Sensing suite (AEB, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, road-departure mitigation). The late-arriving LX has a 7-inch screen with wired CarPlay/Android Auto and no blind-spot monitoring, which Hyundai/Kia rivals include at similar money. For the first months of the model year the cheapest CR-V was the $31,110 EX.

Fair-to-good value. The roomy new-generation cabin, build quality and strong resale justify a mid-pack price, and the volume EX-L at $35,005 delivered is competitive. Tucson and Sportage give more equipment per dollar, and 2023 prices rose notably over the 2022 fifth-gen.

Five trims from $28,410 to $38,600 across two powertrains: the 1.5T gas on LX/EX/EX-L and the two-motor hybrid on Sport and Sport Touring. FWD or AWD is offered on all but the AWD-only Sport Touring. The hard gas/hybrid split limits mix-and-match, there is no off-road trim, and the Sport-L did not arrive until 2024.

The new generation sold 361,457 units in the US in calendar 2023, with 55% of them hybrids, as Honda's annual sales rose more than 30%. That makes the CR-V America's No. 2 SUV behind the RAV4 and the best-selling crossover of the past 25 years.

Honda carries strong mainstream equity for engineering, reliability and resale, with a loyal repeat-buyer base. It is not aspirational in a luxury sense, but the CR-V nameplate is a first-stop benchmark in the segment.

The all-new 2023 CR-V launched into tight post-pandemic supply and commonly sold at or near MSRP through much of the model year, especially hybrids. Modest lease and APR support appeared only as inventory recovered in late 2023.

2023 is the first model year of the sixth generation, on the Honda Architecture platform shared with the 11th-gen Civic, so buyers get the newest platform, cabin and tech in the line. As a launch year, it carries some first-year risk.

The redesign was widely praised. It earned a Car and Driver 10Best (Trucks and SUVs, 2023) and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ under the tougher 2023 criteria, and was routinely named a best compact SUV. It is a top choice rather than a runaway comparison-test winner.