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The redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid is one of the best-selling electrified vehicles on the market, offering good fuel efficiency and a smooth ride. Drivers enjoy the increased cabin space and improved performance, rarely thinking about a standard feature found in most vehicles – the spare tire.

It’s one of those things that most people don’t worry about until they are stuck on the side of the road and have to change a flat tire in a hurry. While most cars come with a spare, many hybrids and EVs often don’t offer this important feature, leaving motorists stranded in need of a tow truck.

So, before you jump into your new CR-V, let’s check the trunk to see if the car is equipped with a spare tire.

Why some new hybrids and EVS don’t include spare tires

Many new hybrids and EVs do not include a spare tire to decrease the vehicle’s gross weight and make room for electric battery packs and motors for enhanced performance. Tesla is notorious for not having a spare tire in any of its models. According to Torque News, the following electric vehicles also don’t come with a spare tire:

  1. Hyundai Ioniq 5
  2. Kia EV6
  3. Ford Mustang Mach-E
  4. Volkswagen ID.4
  5. Lucid Air

On the bright side, many automakers won’t leave you completely stranded on the side of the road. Consumer Reports explains that many brands include emergency tire repair kits with an air compressor to re-inflate a flat and tire sealant to get you to a repair shop or at least back home.

New CR-V trims have a temporary tire or repair kit included

The 2021 and 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid models did not have spare tires, leaving owners frustrated and needing a tow truck when experiencing a roadside flat. Honda has rectified the problem and will now include a spare tire in the 2023 CR-V EX and EX-L trims. While this is excellent news for CR-V owners, be aware it is not a full-size spare but rather a compact steel wheel commonly found in other crossover SUVs.

According to The Car Connection, the front and rear tire size on the 2023 Honda CR-V is P235/60HR18, listing the spare tire size as compact. In the official Honda specifications, the compact spare tire is T155/90D17, a temporary donut tire. While the tire takes up less space in the vehicle, it cannot be driven on for long distances and is only intended to get you to the nearest repair shop. Honda advises carrying a full-size spare for drivers planning to tow a trailer behind their 2023 CR-V.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trims will not have a spare tire but include a tire repair kit with 24-hour assistance. Additionally, the Sport Touring Hybrid trim will come equipped with all-season 235/55R19 tires and 19″ glass black alloy wheels.

The redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V trim level pricing

The 2023 model year debuts the redesigned sixth generation of the Honda CR-V. So, what should shoppers expect regarding pricing changes for this heavily updated model?

Pricing for the 2023 Honda CR-V starts at $28,410, including a destination fee. This price is for the base and entry-level LX trim, with the EX priced at $31,060 and the EX-L at $33,710. As for the hybrid trims, the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $32,400, with the Sport Touring Hybrid topping the range at $39,100.

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