2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Review: Hybrid First Drive

The Honda CR-V wasn’t the first compact crossover invented, but it has been the America’s best-selling SUV ever since it was introduced back in 1997.

On top of that, the CR-V has stood as Honda’s best-selling model for the last five years. With these facts in mind, it’s no surprise that Honda went to great lengths to develop the sixth-generation CR-V, which debuts for the 2023 model year with gas and hybrid powertrains.

Unlike its predecessor, the 2023 Honda CR-V will finally offer a hybrid powertrain for buyers in Canada (as the CR-V Touring Hybrid). But in the U.S., Honda is dropping the Hybrid name from this SUV making the fuel-sipping powertrain standard on the Sport and Sport Touring trim levels. For this first-drive opportunity, Honda offered up the fully loaded Sport Touring as well as some comparative seat time in a 2032 CR-V EX-L and a 2022 CR-V Hybrid.

When it comes to the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring, everything is new from the body and chassis to the all-new engine and Honda’s fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system. The 2023 Honda CR-V has grown in size to better split the difference between the smaller HR-V and the larger Passport, but the biggest change could be the revamped trim level and powertrain configurations.

Buyers in the U.S. will notice a simplified model lineup that consists of just four available trim levels with the EX and EX-L carrying over the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and CVT from 2022, while the Sport and Sport Touring come standard with the hybrid powertrain. Canadian-spec CR-Vs will offer the turbocharged engine on the LX, Sport and EX-L trims leaving the hybrid system for the range-topping CR-V Touring Hybrid.

Looking at the sixth generation of the Honda CR-V, it’s easy to recognize the mix of Honda’s current design language combined with a little CR-V tradition. The bolder, boxier CR-V face shares cues with the new Civic and HR-V showing off a large, upright grille and narrow, horizontal headlights. The rear of this compact crossover kicks it a little more old school with vertical D-pillar taillights, which have been a staple of CR-V designs dating back to 1997. And speaking of lighting, all CR-V trim levels now come standard with full LED headlights and taillights.

To complement its fresh redesign, the 2023 CR-V is available with new wheel designs including black 19-inch wheels on the Sport Touring. The Sport/Sport Touring is also easily distinguishable from the non-hybrid models with the unique front fascia, black roof rack rails, and the chrome exhaust finishers.

These elements make the Sport trim levels easy to tell apart from the EX trims, but in a surprise move, Honda limited the “hybrid” wording on the exterior to just one small badge on the liftgate. For reference, there were three hybrid badges on the 2020-22 CR-V Hybrid not including the blue Honda logos. All of the CR-V Sport Touring models available for this test drive were painted in the new-for-2023 color, called Canyon River Blue Metallic. But there are plenty of color options, including other new colors like Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Still Night Pearl.

Proving that compact vehicles aren’t so compact any more, the 2023 Honda CR-V is longer and wider than the previous model year making this SUV almost as large as the mid-size Pilot was when it debuted back in 2002. Despite having grown in size, though, this new CR-V doesn’t really look that much bigger when parked next to its predecessor.

Backing up its stylish new form, the 2023 Honda CR-V has more function than ever thanks to added passenger and cargo space as well as advanced technologies for both comfort and convenience. Thanks to the stretched wheelbase and increased dimensions, the CR-V’s cabin is roomier than ever. Front passengers still have about the same amount of space as the previous CR-V, while the rear passengers get more legroom, shoulder room and hip room as well as seat backs that are able to recline up to 10.5 degrees.

Accessing the rear doors that can open to almost 90 degrees, which Honda says makes it easier to install child seats and buckling/unbuckling said youngster. Unlike the VW Tiguan and Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda has no plans of offering a third row to the CR-V; a third row was optional on the previous CR-V in markets outside of North America. The downside of the hybrid system is that the battery pack on the Sport/Sport Touring eliminates the adjustable load floor height and hidden cargo area found on the EX and EX-L, but even with this shortcoming, this new hybrid CR-V can accommodate more cargo than the previous CR-V Hybrid.

The current CR-V design dates back to 2016, and in our recent small SUV comparison, the fifth-gen CR-V really showed its age when it came to the interior with a cabin design that felt extremely dated both in terms of styling and materials. The 2023 CR-V remedies these concerns with an interior that maximizes comfort and style and comes loaded with all the latest cabin tech buyers could want. A quick peak inside the new CR-V shows a design language that, like the exterior, is quite similar to the new Civic and HR-V including the full-width honeycomb HVAC vents, a tablet-style infotainment system with several hard buttons, and a digital gauge cluster. The Sport Touring comes fully loaded with standard equipment that includes a nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

One major improvement to this cabin is that Honda has ditched the push-button gear selector in favor of a more traditional gear shifter. This change was made after tracking customers’ dislikes on the fifth-gen CR-V that led to a complete redesign of the center console including the gear selector, the size of the cupholders, and the size of the center console; Honda says that this new center console is large enough to fit most purses.

While the 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L trim levels use a carryover 190-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine to deliver EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of up to 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (8.4 L/100km city and 7.1 L/100km highway). The CR-V Sport and Sport Touring models debut a new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle direct-injected four-cylinder paired with the fourth generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. With this powertrain configuration, the CR-V hybrid has an output of 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque to go along with expected fuel economy estimates of up to 43 city/36 highway/40 combined with the Sport 2WD trim.

The CR-V Sport Touring (and Canadian-spec Touring Hybrid) come standard with all-wheel drive dropping fuel economy slightly to 40 city/34 highway/37 combined (6.0/6.9/6.4 L/100km). Official fuel economy estimates have yet to finalized in the U.S. or Canada for this hybrid SUV, but these stated figures are competitive with key rivals. In addition to the Sport and Econ modes, drivers can now also select a Snow mode, and for maximum brake regeneration, the gear selector adds a “B” mode.

Honda’s drive route consisted of around 130 miles with the first leg being the city and climbing windy mountain roads. From the hotel to the first stopping point (about an hour behind the wheel), the CR-V’s trip computer showed an average of 50.3 mpg even with lots of time spent in Sport mode. The afternoon route focused on highway driving, and while the CR-V still showed excellent fuel economy, this portion showed how smooth and quiet the new CR-V is at higher speeds. There was even an opportunity to test drive the Sport Touring back-to-back with the new EX-L, and the hybrid was a clear standout with a better transmission and road manners. The hybrid system does allow some electric-only driving capability, and while Honda doesn’t state any specific range or speed limitations of this feature, we were able to get up to 45 mph with a very soft foot.

Not only is the new CR-V roomier and more efficient than its predecessor, this CR-V hybrid is also more capable. Whereas the 2020-22 CR-V Hybrid was not rated for any towing capability, the 2023 CR-V Sport/Sport Touring have a tow rating of 1,000 pounds. That’s down from the 1,500-pound towing ability of the non-hybrid CR-V, but it’s enough to haul a small utility trailer or a trio of dirt bikes (as on static display at the event).

The 2023 Honda CR-V competes in the highly populated compact crossover segment against key rivals that include the Chevrolet Equinox, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Nissan Rogue, while the CR-V Sport/Sport Touring is positioned against the smaller-yet-still-ample compact hybrid SUV market that includes the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid. In the U.S., the 2023 CR-V lineup is offered EX, EX-L, Sport, and Sport Touring trim levels with prices starting at $32,355 including destination. Apples to apples, that’s just $170 more than the 2022 CR-V in EX trim, but the CR-V no longer offers the more affordable LX and SE trim levels meaning that the 2023 CR-V’s starting price essentially spiked $4,320 compared to the previous model year. Canadian buyers will have the LX trim level to choose from with prices starting at $36,740.

In the U.S., the hybrid-powered CR-V Sport and Sport Touring will be priced at $35,005 and $39,845, respectively, while the Canadian CR-V Touring Hybrid will cost $50,840.

Honda had a near-flawless example of the 1997 CR-V on display during this event, and comparing that side by side with this new 2023 CR-V, it’s amazing to see just how far the compact crossover market has come since the 1990s. While that original CR-V had gimmicky features like a fold-flat passenger seat and a removable folding table (which doubled as the cargo load floor), the 2023 Honda CR-V excels in its segment standing as a safer, roomier, and more stylish option for buyers looking for an affordable and efficient family hauler. Bottom line, it’s not hard to argue with Honda’s claims that this is the “best CR-V ever.”

Although the previous CR-V Hybrid was only around for three model years, it accounted for 40 percent of CR-V sales, and Honda expects the new hybridized Sport and Sport Touring to be even more popular commanding half of all CR-V sales. Such a plan definitely paves the way for Honda’s next generation of electrified vehicles that will include new hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord as well as the all-new 2024 Honda Prologue dedicated EV SUV co-developed with General Motors.

FAQs

How much does the 2023 Honda CR-V cost?

How much does the 2023 Honda CR-V cost?

When does the hybrid version of the 2023 Honda CR-V go on sale?

The gas-only versions of the 2023 Honda CR-V start at $32,355 ($36,740 CAD), while the hybrid models start at $33,895 ($50,840 CAD).

Is Honda planning a CR-V plug-in hybrid?

When does the hybrid version of the 2023 Honda CR-V go on sale?

The 2023 Honda CR-V Sport and Sport Touring hybrid trim levels will go on sale October 2022, and they’re already available for pre-order.

Is Honda planning a CR-V plug-in hybrid?

Honda representatives say that the automaker has no current plans for a plug-in hybrid after the Honda Clarity, which ended production earlier this year for the 2022MY.