2023 marks a new generation for the Honda CR-V. But while the CR-V looks new both inside and out, it still has the same powertrain and is roughly the same size as the outgoing generation. So is this new Honda CR-V worth getting?

Performance

Engine – The same 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine remains for almost all trim levels of the Honda CR-V. For the first time in Canada, the CR-V Touring is available with a hybrid powertrain. In the United States, this new hybrid powertrain is also available on the Sport trim. But here in Canada, this Sport trim CR-V has the 1.5L turbo engine. It develops 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque (142 kW & 243 Nm) which is exactly the same as the previous generation. The difference is that the peak power and torque figures are now reached at 300 rpms sooner than before. It’s hard to notice this change because this engine has enough pep to get the 1,651 kg (3,639 lbs) 2023 CR-V going at a good pace. It won’t push you into the back of your set like an EV but it won’t impede anyone behind the SUV either. There are also three drive modes to choose from; Normal, Eco, and Snow.

Fuel Economy – With this 1.5L turbo engine and the full-time AWD system, the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport is actually quite fuel efficient. It is rated for 9.1 L/100km (25.8 MPG) in a city and 7.6 L/100km (30.9 MPG) on a highway. Achieving these numbers isn’t all that difficult as I averaged 8.2 L/100km (28.7 MPG) during my time with the CR-V.

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Transmission – just like many other modern Honda vehicles, the 1.5L turbo engine is paired with a CVT automatic. It’s not the most enjoyable transmission for spirited driving but it gets the job done. The transmission bumps up the engine’s rpms when more power is needed and otherwise keeps them low when cruising at constant speeds. There is an “S” and an “L” mode when more power and improved throttle response is required.

Braking – The brakes are strong on the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport with a normal feeling brake pedal. This allows for smooth stops but it provides a reassuring feeling in emergency situations. Speaking of which, I’ve noticed that the automatic emergency braking alert is still overly sensitive like many other Honda vehicles. If you arrive behind a stopped vehicle too quickly, it’ll think that you’re about to crash into it even if you are pressing on the brake pedal. Or if you follow a left turn in a road and there is a parked vehicle on the right, it’ll think that you’ll crash into it and flash the large, red “BRAKE” sign on the dash. Just something to be aware of.

Handling – This new generation of the Honda CR-V has a slightly longer wheelbase along with a slightly stiffer chassis and revised suspension tuning. Will you actually notice these changes while commuting to work or doing errands? Probably not. The 2023 Honda CR-V feels and drives like the CR-V before it. As in, it’s easy to drive around town or on highways. That’s what makes Hondas so great.

A new update for the 2023 CR-V is the addition of Hill Descent Control. It allows for better driver control while going down steep and slipper hills. Drivers can select speeds between 3 and 20 km/h.

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Comfort

Ride Comfort – The Honda CR-V has always been a comfortable SUV and this new generation is no different. The suspension is soft but without feeling floaty over road undulations. The harshness of the bumps is smoothed out by the suspension as well. The seats also feel a little bit more comfortable than the old one did. They have a bit more padding. The driver receives an 8-way powered seat while the passenger has to make due with a manually adjustable seat.

Interior Space – In the front seats, you’d be hard pressed to find any more space when compared to the previous model year. Front occupants have the same amount of legroom and headroom which is to say quite a bit. At 6’4”, I have zero complaints. In the back seats is where you’ll start to see the difference between this new one and the outgoing model. However, it’s not a drastic difference. There’s more legroom in the 2023 CR-V but it’s less than an inch. Headroom is a bit less in this 2023 model but again, it’s not a huge difference.

The trunk is the other area that sees a marginal size increase to last year’s model. This 2023 CR-V has 1,113 L (39.3 cu-ft) of space with the rear seats up and 2,166 L (76.5 cu-ft) with the seats folded. The 2022 model had 1,110 L & 2,146 L (39.2 & 75.8 cu-ft) respectively. Again, not a huge difference from last year’s model.

The 2023 CR-V has a two tier load floor that can allow for a tiny bit more space. As well, the rear doors can open at an almost 90 degree angle which not only makes ingress and egress easier but also loading from the side.

Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Although this particular demo vehicle came equipped with 18” snow tires, road noises were kept to a fairly subdued level while driving on a highway. Engine noise though can become a bit intrusive once it revs beyond 2,200-ish rpms but in most situations, it won’t need to rev beyond that point unless you have a heavy foot.

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Odds and Ends

Pricing – Unfortunately the days of a Honda CR-V starting for under $30,000 CAD are long gone. The base CR-V LX-2WD starts at $34,790 CAD. This Sport trim costs $41,490 CAD. In the United States, the LX trim doesn’t exist anymore and instead is replaced by the EX which starts at $31,610 USD. And as mentioned earlier, the Sport trim is a hybrid in the US and it costs $32,950 USD.

Gadgets – For the money, the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport has just enough features to keep owners satisfied. These include heated front seats & heated steering wheel, sunroof, power liftgate, dual zone automatic climate control, backup camera, wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, push button start, keyless entry, remote start, and LED headlights. For features such as wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a 9-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, heated rear seats, memory driver’s seat and more, you have to move up to the EX-L trim. And obviously, the Touring Hybrid has all available gadgets equipped. But that trim is almost $50,000 CAD.

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Interior Design – The redesigned interior took a lot of inspiration from the current generation Honda Civic. It looks almost identical with the same climate controls, same instrument cluster, same honeycomb mesh grille across the dash (though in a darker colour) and same steering wheel. The only major difference is the center console and the placement of the buttons for the auto start/stop system or drive mode selector. Overall, it’s straightforward to use for both young and old Honda owners.

Exterior Design – The bold exterior design language of the old Honda CR-V is gone and replaced by a more mature look. The front end is much simpler in design and doesn’t look as offensive. The rear retains the trademark vertical lights but are LED on this Sport trim. The tailpipes are also hidden behind the bumper for a cleaner look. The Still Night Pearl blue paint looks fabulous in person and catches a lot of glimpses.

Safety – Another big change for the 2023 Honda CR-V is the availability of nearly all safety and driver aids across all trim levels. From the base to the top spec, they all have the same safety features. All except for front & rear parking sensors which are only available on the EX-L and Touring trims.

Warranty – The 2023 Honda CR-V is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here.

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Conclusion – So is the 2023 Honda CR-V worth getting? Well if you currently own a 2017-2022 CR-V, it’s probably not worth it to upgrade. This new one may look different but most of it is the same. If your current CR-V doesn’t have any issues and runs strong, then why would you want to restart another finance contract? But if you have a pre-2017 CR-V or are jumping ship from another brand, then the Honda CR-V still remains as one of the best overall compact SUVs on the market. It has loads of space, easy to drive, plenty of features, and is now safer than ever.

Thank you to Honda Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Honda.ca