In addition to its streamlined trim lineup and newly upscale demeanor, the ’23 CR-V gains more interior space owing to its expanded proportions. Its rear-seat legroom has grown by about half an inch, and its total cargo volume has gone up from 75.8 cubic feet to 76.5 cu. ft. What’s more, the CR-V’s base trim adopts a higher-level infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the EX-L reaps a new 9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration.
Honda also supplies the ’23 CR-V with the Honda Sensing suite of driving aids. While the familiar technologies are still issued, including forward collision warning and lane keeping assist, the new CR-V comes with standard blind-spot monitoring and low-speed braking control. And even though the ’23 CR-V has the same 1.5-liter turbo from the last-gen edition, it’s paired to an upgraded continuously variable transmission (CVT) that better simulates traditional gear shifts for a more engaging experience. The hybrid model has been overhauled as well, but we’ll cover that version in a separate overview.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is a much-improved compact crossover that’s made in two trims: EX and EX-L. Housed behind the new upright grille is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that compels 190 hp joined to a revised CVT that sets in motion the standard front-wheel or available all-wheel drivetrain. According to the EPA, the FWD CR-Vs pull off an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. With AWD, it returns 27 city/32 highway.
The base EX has a lot of convenient features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, LED headlights and taillights, heated windshield washer nozzles, rear privacy glass, a moonroof, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, proximity entry (Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock), push-button ignition, a front-console USB-C charging port, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback. The EX-L gets a bit more: a power liftgate, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, position memory for the driver’s seat and power adjustments for the front passenger’s seat, and a wireless phone charger.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving aids is standard in the ’23 CR-V. It includes forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, and traffic sign recognition. The other standard safety features not bundled in Honda Sensing consist of blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, a rear-seat reminder, and low-speed braking control.
The CR-V’s standard multimedia system now has a new 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a six-speaker audio system. Meanwhile, the EX-L is sweetened with a 9-inch touchscreen and more features: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an audio system with eight speakers.
