Strangely, this title might be a little cheeky, considering the 2023 Honda CR-V is a brand-new generation of the popular compact crossover SUV. The CR-V has long been a favorite vehicle among drivers looking for practical driving qualities on a budget. Heading into this new generation, you might think a lot has changed about the CR-V, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Small changes to the 2023 Honda CR-V show continuation of the status quo

Consumer Reports tells us that this new CR-V version offers improved dimensions that most drivers will appreciate. Honda gives this compact crossover SUV more cargo room and improves the visibility for drivers. This is accomplished with a more upright windshield and lower, door-mounted side mirrors.

Did Honda miss the mark with this new version of the CR-V?

If you expected the 2023 model of this popular crossover SUV to lean into electrification with a new plug-in hybrid model, you’d be disappointed. Did Honda give this crossover the TrailSport trim to offer some off-road driving manners? No, they didn’t. In fact, the former base trim is gone, which means the 2023 version is a bit more expensive than the outgoing model.

The trim number is reduced to four for this crossover SUV

The 2023 Honda CR-V comes in four trim levels with the base LX model deleted. These four trims are EX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring. Most of the former LX features now come in the new base EX model. This foundational trim level gives you:

• 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
• 18-inch wheels
• Push-button starting
• LED headlights and taillights
• Ambient lighting
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Two front USB-C ports
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• 6-speaker audio system
• Dual-zone climate controls
• Honda Sensing Safety Suite
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alerts
  • Forward collision mitigation
  • Lane-keeping assistance
  • Adaptive cruise control

How big is the new 2023 Honda CR-V?

This new generation of the most popular Honda crossover SUV is 2.7 inches longer with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase. Autoblog.com also tells us this SUV is 0.4 inches wider and has an additional 10.5 degrees of rear seat recline, which is a big deal for your rear passengers to be comfortable.

The cargo space offered in the CR-V is 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. This area expands to 76.5 cubic feet with the seats lowered, giving you plenty of room for everything you want to take on the road.

Is something unique about this Honda crossover SUV?

We now live in a world where most new vehicles don’t offer a spare tire, meaning you might be stranded if you have a flat. The practicality of the 2023 Honda CR-V extends to this situation. Both the regular and hybrid versions of the CR-V have a spare tire to ensure you can easily get to the repair shop for a new tire.

Does the new CR-V offer a hybrid powertrain?

Yes, even though there’s no plug-in hybrid, we continue to see a hybrid version of this Honda crossover SUV. The base powertrain is the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a CVT to offer 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain returns 28 city/34 hwy mpg in FWD models and 27 city/33 hwy mpg in AWD versions.

The hybrid powertrain gives you a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine plus two electric motors. This system brings 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque for your drive. Fuel mileage numbers reach 43 city/36 hwy in FWD hybrid models, while AWD versions offer 40 city/34 hwy mpg.

What is the price of the new 2023 Honda CR-V?

The EX trim gets you started at $32,355, with the Sport Turing Hybrid asking for $39,845. The Sport and EX-L models fall between these two prices.

Is this a good crossover SUV to drive?

If you’re searching for a useful compact crossover, the 2023 Honda CR-V should be near the top of your list. This Honda enters a new generation but didn’t change everything, making it an easy SUV to drive. If you’re searching for an SUV with more advanced features and electrification, check out some of the EVs entering the market.

Next, check out where the new Volkswagen ID.4 is being made, or watch the 2023 Honda CR-V video below:

This article was updated on 12/7/2022.