2023 Honda CR-V

Pros:

• There’s a lot of room inside and a lot of cargo space.
• There are many things in technology that are easy to use.
• There are many clever places to store things.

Cons:

• Not enough pulling power
• On hills, the hybrid powertrain can be loud and slow.
• The Hybrid doesn’t get good gas mileage in real life.

How do you move the CR-V? The CR-V isn’t a race car, but it feels quick and stable compared to other small SUVs. We tested a hybrid Sport Touring car from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds. This is typical for cars in this class, and the 1.5-liter engine should get both simultaneously.

In an emergency, the brakes work well and allow for a smooth stop. We also like how smoothly the hybrid system operates in cities, but climbing steep mountain slopes can be difficult. When turning, the CR-V stays calm and in charge. The steering is easy to use and gives you enough feedback to know what’s going on on the road.

How excellent is the CR-V to ride in? The CR-V is easy to drive. It has a soft suspension that doesn’t float. Although the bumps and cracks in the pavement will be felt, it does an excellent job of quickly recovering and returning to its usual smooth ride without causing too much disruption.

Inside, the theme of luxury stays the same. Even though Honda doesn’t offer ventilated front seats as an option, the ones that come standard are soft and comfortable. The CR-V is well-insulated and feels airtight while driving, so you won’t hear much road noise. The hybrid powertrain can become loud and annoying to listen to, especially when driving up an incline.

How does the inside look? The CR-interior V’s are designed logically. Both rows have a lot of room, and the big windows make the car feel airy, which we like in a small SUV. Also, all that glass makes it easier to see outside. Even though it’s harder to see out the back of the CR-V, it has Honda’s great wide-angle rearview camera.

The door openings on the CR-V are large, and all seats are positioned so that adults can easily slide into them. Furthermore, getting comfortable is simple thanks to the generous fore-and-aft adjustability of the front-row seats and the reclining capabilities of the rear seatbacks.

How good is the tech? Even though the 7-inch touchscreen that comes standard and the 9-inch touchscreen that can be added could be better in their class, the CR-V has an excellent operating system that is easy to use and responsive to touch. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both need wireless connectivity to work with smartphones. The Sport Touring’s built-in navigation system helps you find your way, but the maps need to be more beautiful.

Unfortunately, the voice recognition system is less advanced than some competitors and is only available on the top Sport Touring trim. On the other hand, modern driving aids are impressive. All CR-V models come with many of these features as standard, and the most important ones, like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering, work very well.

What about putting things away? The Honda CR-39.3 V has an impressive amount of cargo room behind the second row of seats for such a compact SUV. Even though the cargo area isn’t intense, it has enough height and width to fit large items. The good news is that, unlike the last generation, Hybrid and non-hybrid CR-V models have the same amount of space for cargo. Getting better gas mileage won’t mean giving up storage space.

In terms of interior storage, Honda has gone backward. The tunnel of the previous CR-center V was hollowed out so that large handbags could fit. Now, only a standard center bin will work in this space. Child safety seats are easy to install because the doors have big openings, the attachment points are easy to reach, and there is much room in the second row.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA estimates that non-hybrid Honda CR-V models will get 30 mpg on the highway in 2023. With all-wheel drive, the Hybrid’s gas mileage drops to 37 mpg, which saves you even more money on gas. We played with the second one. The actual route we used to test it only got 33.3 mpg. But it favors highways, and tests done by Invoice Pricing showed that most of its competitors also didn’t do as it did. (The Kia Sportage Hybrid, for example, got 34.5 mpg.) We saw better gas mileage when driving around town, where the CR-hybrid V’s powertrain is most beneficial.

Is the Honda CR-V a reliable car? The CR-V is well-built for its price. Because there are no shakes or rattles during the ride, it is clear that the vehicle was constructed with care because the ride is smooth and quiet. Although some hard plastic is used inside the cabin, Honda does an excellent job of hiding it with plush materials and intriguing design cues.

If you want a cheap SUV, there are better choices than the CR-V because it costs a little more than many of its competitors. The price is fair, even if it could be more appealing, given how well it’s made. The warranty coverage could be better than other cars in the same class. For example, many competitors offer better protection against rust, better roadside assistance, or free maintenance.

Crossovers aren’t as dull to look at as they used to be, and Honda’s sophisticated but understated design makes the CR-V look a bit sterile. This SUV is not meant to stand out but to blend in. But if you look at the CR-new V and compare it to its predecessor, you can’t deny that it looks more modern.

It can be fun to drive for a short time because the controls are easy to use, and it handles well for a crossover. But practicality is more important. So, shoppers with a bunch of Excel spreadsheets should be interested in the CR-V. You should look elsewhere if you want inspiration and passion in a small family SUV.

The EX-L trim level is where we’d put our money. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with this trim is more fun to drive and almost as efficient as the hybrid powertrain. The EX-L costs more than the EX because it has leather seats, a better stereo system, a giant touchscreen, parking sensors in the front and back, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a charging pad.

Different kinds of Honda CR-Vs:

The EX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring are the four different trim levels available for the 2023 Honda CR-V. Because the hybrid drivetrain is now standard on the Sport and Sport Touring trim levels, Honda has discontinued the CR-V Hybrid as a distinct model. Front-wheel drive is standard on the first three trim levels, but all-wheel drive can be added as an extra. The Sport Touring comes with AWD as standard.