2023 Honda CR-V

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Behind the 2023 Honda CR-V’s upright grille is a standard 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It pairs with a CVT and either front- or all-wheel drive. This setup is standard on the LX, EX, and EX-L models. At our test track, the nonhybrid EX-L needed 8.1 seconds to get to 60 mph, making it a bit sluggish for its class and a few ticks slower than the hybrid model. The transmission also causes the engine to drone noisily under hard acceleration. Every CR-V has hill-descent control that helps modulate the compact SUV’s speed on steep or slippery declines when traveling at low speeds. Most models are fitted with a set of 18-inch wheels. While it lacks the handling thrills we love in the Mazda CX-50 and the Volkswagen Tiguan, the new CR-V provides a smooth ride and enough moxie to avoid being boring.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2023 Honda CR-V’s nonhybrid powertrain provides competitive fuel economy The front-wheel-drive CR-V with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gets EPA estimates of 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and opting for all-wheel drive drops those numbers a bit. On our real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy route, an all-wheel-drive EX-L registered 31 mpg. For more information about the CR-V’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The2023 Honda CR-V’s handsome interior design is highlighted by a honeycomb-textured insert spanning most of the dash, discreetly hiding the air vents. The steering wheel frames a partially digital gauge cluster with an analog speedometer and a 7.0-inch display that allows the driver to swap between different informational menus. Honda says the front seats are designed to decrease driver fatigue on long trips and that the new CR-V’s driving position has been improved. Between the front-seat passengers is a large center console bin, and behind them are reclining back seats with an extra 0.6-inch of rear legroom compared with the outgoing CR-V. There are 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row with the adjustable load floor in its lowest position.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2023 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system operates through a 7.0-inch touchscreen on the LX and EX trim levels. The setup features physical volume and tuning knobs as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L has a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the bigger display doesn’t include a tuning knob, there is a volume knob that accompanies the built-in navigation, plus two USB-C ports for rear-seat passengers and wireless smartphone charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Honda equips every 2023 Honda CR-V with a boatload of standard driver-assistance technology. Along with automated emergency braking, the compact SUV comes with a driver-attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, and a back-seat reminder. For more information about the CR-V’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  
• Standard lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning
  
• Standard adaptive cruise control

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Specifications