You might think placing the Sport badge on the rear hatch of the Honda CR-V is out of place, but we’re here to tell you otherwise. Even though the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport is still a family-friendly crossover SUV, it brings out this vehicle’s sporty and fun side. This SUV gets sporty the same way some parents let their hair down. There’s just enough fun to put a smile on your face but not so much that you’ll get into serious trouble.

Does the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport use a different powertrain than the base EX trim?

Yes, if you step up to the Sport version of this Honda, Car and Driver tells us you’ll find an impressive hybrid powertrain to deliver desired power. This powertrain uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors to offer the right power level for your drive.

This combination returns 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This is an impressive increase of the base engine, which delivers 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.

The hybrid powertrain uses the same CVT as the base model and offers the option of either FWD or AWD.

How does the Sport trim of this crossover SUV build on the base model?

The Sport trim includes the features from the base EX trim but adds a bit more to the mix. Some of the added features include:

• Sport driving mode
• 18-inch black alloy wheels
• Sport interior cloth upholstery
• Gloss black exterior accents
• A leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel
• Two additional USB-C charging points in the rear

Unfortunately, the hybrid powertrain of the Sport model replaces the spare tire o the base trim with a tire repair kit.

Is the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport an efficient crossover SUV?

Yes, the Sport trim with its hybrid powertrain is relatively efficient in both FWD and AWD models. The FWD versions return 43 city/36 hwy mpg while the AWD models offer 40 city/34 hwy mpg. This could spell out excellent fuel savings for anyone driving the CR-V Sport.

By comparison, the standard powertrain offers 28 city/34 hwy for FWD models and 27 city/33 hwy mpg for AWD versions. These numbers show the Sport trim is the more efficient version of this crossover SUV.

Does Honda offer a good package of safety features for the CR-V?

Yes, the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport includes the Honda Sensing Safety Suite, which includes:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Road departure mitigation
• Lane-departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alerts

This package is relatively comprehensive and works with the CR-Vs various cameras and sensors to keep drivers safe on the road.

How much does the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport cost?

The Sport trim is the first of two trims that uses the hybrid powertrain. The starting price for this version of the CR-V is $33,695, which is only $1,300 more than the base EX trim. The added features, power, and fuel efficiency could make it easy to choose the Sport trim of this crossover SUV.

Next, check out some features you need for driving in the snow, or watch this 2023 Honda CR-V Sport video below: