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4 Reasons the 2023 Honda CR-V Offers More Value Than the 2023 Honda HR-V

It might be more expensive, but the 2023 Honda CR-V offers more value than the 2023 Honda HR-V. Which Honda SUV will you drive?

by Nathaniel Ehinger

Published on November 8, 2022

2 min read

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Since it arrived in the market, the Honda HR-V has attempted to match the CR-V. Has it achieved this feat with the latest model? For 2023 the Honda CR-V enters its sixth generation in the market, and the Honda HR-V starts its second. The CR-V has been the best-selling Honda SUV for the past 25 years, while the HR-V is somewhat of a newcomer. Here’s why the CR-V offers more value than its smaller sibling.

1. The 2023 Honda CR-V has more powertrains than the 2023 Honda HR-V

Honda gives the CR-V two powertrains while the HR-V is stuck with one. The CR-V uses a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a CVT which delivers 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. The other powertrain is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine running the Atkinson cycle with two electric hybrid motors attached. This powertrain offers 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque.

The only powertrain for the smaller Honda SUV is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine attached to a CVT. This powertrain delivers 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque.

2. Honda offers four trims for the CR-V vs. three for the HR-V SUV

You’ll find three trims offered for the 2023 Honda HR-V, which are: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Consumers looking at the 2023 Honda CR-V find four times: EX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring. For 2023, the CR-V drops the base LX trim, which gives it a higher starting point and more features.

3. The 2023 Honda CR-V is more efficient than the 2023 Honda HR-V

Typically, smaller vehicles have better fuel mileage than larger models. In comparing these two Honda SUVs, J. D. Power tells us that’s not the case. The HR-V brings 26 city/32 hwy mpg for FWD models and 25 city/30 hwy mpg for AWD versions.

Turning to the CR-V, the hybrid powertrain returns 43 city/36 hwy mpg for FWD models and 40 city/34 hwy mpg for AWD models. The turbocharged powertrain offers better fuel mileage than the HR-V with 28 city/34 hwy mpg for FWD models and 27 city/33 hwy mpg for AWD versions.

4. Which Honda SUV offers more comfort and cargo room?

This comparison is more straightforward than the rest; the 2023 Honda CR-V is larger than the 2023 Honda HR-V, translating to better comfort and cargo room.

The CR-V brings 103.5 cubic feet of passenger space compared to 98.7 cubic feet for the HR-V. The rear cargo area of the CR-V measures 39.3 cubic feet, and the same space for the HR-V offers 24.4 cubic feet of space.

On a side note, this new generation of the Honda HR-V is wider than the previous model, giving you a larger rear passenger area which is more comfortable. That said, the HR-V still doesn’t quite achieve the same comfort level as the CR-V.