Honda said that 2022 would be the Year of the SUV and as we move towards the end of the year, we can tell that Honda wasn't kidding. The Japanese automaker has presented the market with multiple new models this year including redesigned generations of the entry-level Honda HR-V and the new 2023 Honda CR-V. The Honda CR-V has always been one of the most important Honda vehicles in Canada and it has served as a benchmark for multiple automakers in terms of what a compact SUV should offer. This latest generation of the CR-V arrives on the market with a starting price of $34,790 along with significant improvements across the board and of course, the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain.
This new hybrid engine offered in the CR-V certainly helps the new Honda SUV stand out from its competitors. The engine pairs a 2 L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder powertrain with an electric motor and battery for an impressive 204 horsepower along with 247 pound-feet of torque. Offered exclusively in the top-of-the-line Touring model for now, the impressive hybrid powertrain offered in the 2023 Honda CR-V averages just 6 L per 100 km in the city, and just 6.9 litres per 100 km on the highway. For an SUV with over 1,000 litres of cargo space and a starting price of under $50,000 before taxes and destination charges, this is truly remarkable.
Whether you opt for this model or for another CR-V version that features a 1.5 L turbocharged 4-cylinder, the 2023 Honda CR-V will exceed your expectations for interior space and versatility. The new generation of the CR-V has grown in length by 68.6 mm while the wheelbase has grown by 40.6 mm. The model is also wider which means that regardless of whether you’re sitting in front or in the back, you will benefit from a lot more interior space and a more welcoming cockpit. The 2023 Honda CR-V has 1,112 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats which can be folded down 60/40 to increase total cargo space to 2,166 litres.
Last but not least, the 2023 Honda CR-V features a lot more technology. A 9-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available while a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto is standard. The new Honda CR-V also gets an available digital instrument cluster, new driving modes including Snow mode, a new Hill Descent Control system, and advanced safety technologies found in the Honda Sensing system which features a new wide-view camera with radar, and new Traffic Jam Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition systems. The new Honda CR-V also gets an improved set of next-generation front airbags as well as standard knee and rear passenger side airbags.