2023 Honda CR-V Assessment: The Civic of SUVs

It is no surprise the Honda CR-V crossover is perennially at or close to the highest of the gross sales charts within the small SUV phase. It continues to do every thing properly, solely shedding factors to segment-leading Toyota Rav4 on rugged attractiveness. Nonetheless, with a brand new design and new technology for 2023, the CR-V can be trying to retake that high spot.

The sixth-generation 2023 Honda CR-V has a brand new design taking cues from the Ridgeline pickup. It is longer by 2.7 inches and a couple of half inch wider than the earlier mannequin. The A-pillars, the 2 that maintain up the windshield, have been repositioned rearward to permit extra ahead visibility. It has a brand new grille, new LED headlights and new choices for wheels. Sport and Sport Touring fashions put on black mesh and rectangular tailpipes.

It competes with a number of the largest sellers within the nation together with the Nissan Rogue and Chevrolet Equinox, along with the Rav4.

The inside is new too, within the model of the Civic sedan, which means clear, horizontal traces and a layer of metallic mesh on the dashboard. That mesh hides adjustable air vents, which could be pointed in any course. New seats lowered fatigue, says Honda, and there’s extra legroom for backseat passengers. The Honda CR-V additionally has essentially the most cargo house within the mannequin’s historical past with 36.3 cubic ft behind the rear seats.

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The Honda CR-V comes normal with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A 7-inch digital instrument panel is normal together with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system normal on EX and Sport. Bodily knobs for quantity and tuning ease use throughout driving whereas the storage space in entrance of the shifter can maintain two telephones. There are two illuminated USB ports, A and C; on the Sport and Sport Touring fashions rear seat passengers additionally get USB ports.

Upgraded EX-L and Sport Touring trims have an ordinary 9-inch touchscreen with wi-fi smartphone integration and wi-fi charging. A premium Bose audio system could be optioned with 12-speakers.

The brand new Physique Stabilizing Seats are glorious and supportive over lengthy drives, although the changes may vary slightly farther. The seats do not go as little as anticipated nor have they got underknee assist, however total they’re superb. The orange accent stitching within the Sport trim provides some coloration to an in any other case darkish inside.

The 9-inch infotainment system options bodily buttons and knobs together with redundant controls. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored properly and related simply and the sound system, even with out the premium choice, was a lot loud. These local weather and radio knobs are significantly good with metallic trim and a satisfying tactile click on. The tall gear selector is an efficient place for the motive force to relaxation their proper hand.

There’s loads of house for 2 automobile seats, that are simple to put in, and the seatbelts are simple to attach even for a kid. There’s nonetheless room in between these automobile seats for additional storage, or video games and toys for the children. The truck appears cavernous even with the seats up, although there was no hauling of drugs throughout this street check.

The bottom 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine makes 190 horsepower (hp) and 179 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. All-wheel drive is non-obligatory on every thing however the Sport Touring trim, which may ship 50 % of the facility to the rear wheels. As normal, the CR-V is front-wheel drive.

These Sport Touring and Sport hybrid fashions ship 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, which is sufficient to get the 2023 Honda CR-V shifting alongside, although it is from thrilling. Acceleration from a cease is best than acceleration at pace. Expressway passes take a tough press of the throttle and the constantly variable transmission will get whiny. Throughout regular driving the powertrain is ok.

The hybrid CR-V with all-wheel drive has a gasoline mileage ranking of 37 miles per gallon (mpg) in blended metropolis and freeway driving, through the check it went as excessive as an indicated 38.8 mpg. The front-wheel drive hybrid is rated at 40 mpg mixed.

As anticipated the 2023 CR-V is comfy on virtually any street, with the usual suspension absorbing all however essentially the most heinous of potholes. It handles higher than the phase common with correct steering and medium quantity of effort on the steering wheel. It is also quieter than many of the competitors, on and off the street.

The Honda Sensing security suite is normal with a digital camera and a radar to acknowledge objects. Blind spot data is now normal as properly. Visitors Jam Help, Low-Velocity Braking Management and Visitors Signal Recognition are non-obligatory, as are Adaptive Cruise Management, Low-Velocity Observe and Lane Retaining Help. A brand new driver consideration monitor points a warning if the motive force takes their eyes off the street for too lengthy.

The 2023 Honda CR-V begins at $29,705 together with vacation spot fees, proper in step with the Ford Escape ($29,495) and near the Nissan Rogue ($27,760) and Toyota Rav4 ($28,910). The Chevrolet Equinox, additionally a competitor, begins at $31,800.

All of them provide all-wheel drive and two-rows however the Honda’s mixture of options and know-how preserve it within the high 3. The Rav4 now wears the Toyota 4Runner’s rugged appears (like the remainder of the Toyota lineup), and gives an actual computerized transmission, as does the Ford Escape, not like the Honda’s adequate-but-not-enjoyable constantly variable transmission.

If a purchaser is in search of pace, Ford and Toyota provide faster choices than the Honda. These three small SUVs ought to all be check pushed earlier than a choice is made.