The New CR-V will Embrace Hybrid Technology
Honda's best-selling SUV just raised the stakes, as the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V debuts with a rugged and sophisticated design, along with a new, more advanced 4th-generation hybrid-electric system for a fuel-efficient, sporty and more capable driving experience.
CR-V hybrid is positioned at the top of the CR-V lineup and will eventually represent about 50 percent of sales for this 6th generation, a key step in Honda's electrification strategy. The 2023 CR-V is launching this summer, with the Hybrid model launching later in the year.
Perfect for daily life or weekend escapes, the new CR-V is longer and wider with premium proportions and a significantly broader stance, further advancing the new Honda design direction with a low horizontal beltline and a long, powerful front end. Honda's most popular SUV backs up its strong new looks with a more fun-to-drive personality, more confident and refined dynamics, and increased power and capability.
CR-V is available in four trim levels, including the new hybrid-powered and more boldly styled CR-V Touring, the new top of the CR-V model line. With 247 lb.-ft of torque from the new generation two-motor hybrid system, it is the most powerful CR-V ever.
Inside, the new sporty and modern interior brings high-quality feel of materials and must-have tech features. It's also more quiet and more comfortable, with new front Body Stabilizing Seats to reduce fatigue and improve posture, and the most cabin and cargo space in CR-V history. Standard class-leading safety features include a new Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technology with a new wide-view camera and radar, next-gen front airbags, as well as new rear side-impact and knee airbags.
"We are very excited to welcome the new CR-V and CR-V Hybrid to Canada," said Steve Hui, Assistant Vice President, Honda Canada. "CR-V has always played a pivotal role in our lineup, now more than ever, this latest 6th generation CR-V is tougher and more rugged, comes with upscale styling, advanced tech and as always, is fun-to-drive. We are also proud that the CR-V will continue to be built in Canada, at Honda of Canada Mfg. which has been designated lead manufacturing plant for CR-V in North America."
Key CR-V Features:
- Rugged and sophisticated exterior design
- New more powerful two-motor hybrid system (Touring) makes CR-V more fun to drive and adds towing capability
- Distinctive bolder styling for Sport and hybrid-powered Touring trims
- Sporty, modern, more spacious and comfortable interior
- Standard digital instrumentation
- 9-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility (EX-L, Touring)
- Standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility (LX, Sport)
- Enhanced global Honda Architecture
- Updated 1.5-litre Turbo engine (LX, EX-L, Sport)
- Retuned Real Time All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Control™
- New Hill Descent Control
- New Snow driving mode
- Standard Honda Sensing® system with new wide-view camera and radar, plus new Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control and Traffic Sign Recognition system
- Next-gen front airbags
- New standard knee and rear passenger side-impact airbags
Rugged and Sophisticated Styling
The 2023 CR-V features all-new rugged and sophisticated styling that further advances Honda's rugged exterior design direction for its light trucks, taking inspiration from the recently redesigned Ridgeline and Passport TrailSport. A strong horizontal beltline highlights its increased overall length (+68.6 mm longer), while a 40.6 mm longer wheelbase and 10.1 mm of additional width give it a stronger, more aggressive presence.
The radical repositioning of its windshield pillars is key to CR-V's new sportier proportions and improved visibility. The base of these A-pillars has moved 119.4 mm rearward, 71.1 mm outward and 35.5 mm lower. Together with new door-mounted side mirrors, these changes radically improve outward visibility.
Emphasizing the strong new styling is a large, upright grille, a long hood and standard LED headlights. LX and EX-L feature a piano black grille mesh with a chrome trim, body-colour side mirrors with integrated turn signals. A sleek body-colour roof spoiler and a new, all-LED interpretation of signature vertical taillights make the 6th-generation CR-V instantly recognizable from the rear.
The Sport and more powerful Touring hybrid model feature even bolder styling. More aggressive front and rear facias and grille mesh are highlighted with a gloss black accent, and Sport and Touring are the only trims with rectangular exhaust finishers. The unique lower bumper design is piano black on Sport and platinum on Touring. The underside of the rear spoiler is matte black on Sport, and piano black on Touring.
CR-V Sport rides on grade-specific Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, while Touring features 19-inch split 5-spoke machine-finish alloys.
Sporty, Modern and Spacious Interior
With simple and clean surfacing, high-quality feel of materials and upscale touches, the all-new sporty and modern interior builds on the new Honda design direction. CR-V is also more comfortable and more spacious than ever, with a notably larger front-to-rear-seat couple distance and more rear seat legroom (+15.2 mm). The rear seats now feature eight angles of recline for increased comfort.
The top of the instrument panel has been designed with minimal cutlines to reduce windshield reflections and other potential visual distractions. A striking metal honeycomb mesh spanning the dash serves both form and function, concealing the air vents that would otherwise mar the uncluttered and harmonious design.
New front Body Stabilizing Seats reduce fatigue over long drives and the steering wheel angle is more sedan-like for a more comfortable, sportier driving position. Between the front seats is the largest center console bin in its class with nine litres of space.
The 2023 CR-V has the most cargo room in the model's history with 1028 L available behind the rear seats (+34 L). In LX, EX-L and Sport, the rear load floor can be lowered, expanding the cargo space to 1112.8 L With the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded flat, cargo space expands to 2166.2 L.
CR-V LX features black cloth upholstery with a 6-way manual driver’s seat. EX-L adds black leather seating surfaces, a 4-way power passenger seat and piano black dash trim.
CR-V Sport comes with black cloth upholstery and black dash trim, while the Touring comes with either black leather seating surfaces and piano-black dash trim. Touring comes standard with a black headliner and orange contrast stitching on the seats (black leather), console, steering wheel and shifter.
Smart Technology
Technology has been smartly integrated into CR-V's new cabin with a focus on the driver, including a digital instrument display and a notably larger standard touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility.
The 7-inch digital instrument panel features an all-digital tachometer on the left and a physical speedometer on the right side. The 7-inch multi-information display features user-selectable functions such as Honda Sensing® settings, vehicle information and more.
A new 7-inch touchscreen audio system is standard on LX and Sport with physical knobs for volume and tuning, and a simplified menu structure. The storage area in front of the shifter is wide enough to accommodate two smartphones side-by side, accompanied by two illuminated USB ports, a 2.5A USB-A and 3.0A USB-C that are standard. For rear seat passengers, two illuminated 3.0A USB-C charging ports are standard on Touring.
CR-V EX-L and Touring have a standard 9-inch touchscreen with a physical volume knob, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and a simplified navigation structure with fewer menus. Qi-compatible 15W wireless smartphone charging is also standard.
CR-V Touring comes with a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system custom-engineered for the new interior. Featuring Bose Centerpoint 2 technology and SurroundStage digital signal processing, the new system places all passengers in the middle of the music, regardless of their seating position, with a clear and spacious listening experience.
Sporty, Yet Comfortable Dynamics
A sportier and more engaging driving experience was created through a revised chassis and a significantly stronger structure.
Based on Honda's enhanced global architecture, CR-V's wheelbase has been extended to 2700 mm (+40.6 mm) for a smoother ride and greater stability. Significantly wider tracks (+10.1 mm in the front and the rear) also improve stability. A 15 percent torsionally-stiffer body further supports improvements in ride, handling and overall refinement.
Suspension and steering updates make CR-V more fun to drive, while simultaneously improving ride quality. Its MacPherson strut front suspension and variable-ratio steering now mount to a new stiffer subframe that repositions the steering rack to improve feel and accuracy. Handling is further improved with a stiffer rear subframe for the retuned multilink suspension which features 15-percent higher spring rate for the upper spring mount.
New More Powerful, More Capable Hybrid Model
Available for the first time in Canada, the CR-V Hybrid Touring features an all-new two-motor hybrid-electric system with a newly refined 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side. This new configuration offers more power and a sportier driving feel with the use of a larger and more powerful propulsion motor with increased torque output. Combined system output has increased to 204 hp, while the traction-motor peak torque rises to 247 lb.-ft. of torque, making the 2023 CR-V Hybrid Touring the most powerful CR-V ever.
The hybrid-electric system is more refined at highway speeds and for the first time offers up to 453.6 kg of towing capacity. Linear Shift Control elevates the driving experience by mimicking the acceleration and engine rev feel associated with a conventional drivetrain shifting gears. The new hybrid-electric system also allows for a substantial increase in continuous maximum speed—which climbs from 140 km/h to 185 km/h.
Under the hood of the CR-V LX, Sport and EX-L is an updated 1.5-litre turbo engine with additional refinement, improved emissions performance and 190 horsepower (SAE net at 6,000 rpm). Enhancements include a new high-efficiency, high-response turbocharger and 4-2 exhaust port cylinder head that help the 4-cylinder engine maintain peak power over a broader range of rpm. Its torque peak of 179 lb.-ft. also arrives 300-rpm earlier, from 1,700-5,000 rpm, improving response. Engine noise also has been reduced significantly.
The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for the 1.5-litre turbo has been updated to reduce noise and vibration. Significant drivability and performance improvements include Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle.
An updated Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System™ improves traction management in slippery conditions, like snow and mud. Available on LX, and standard on Sport, EX-L, and Touring, the system can now send up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels.
For the first time CR-V features Hill Descent Control. Standard across the lineup, the system increases off-road capability with more control on steep, slippery declines. Drivers can select speeds between 3 and 20 km/h.
Three standard selectable drive modes optimize the driving experience for various conditions. In addition to Normal and Econ modes, a new Snow mode maximizes available traction and performance is slick snowy conditions. Touring model add a Sport mode.
Safety Performance and Feature Leadership Among Compact SUVs
The 6th-generation CR-V is a leader in compact SUV safety features and performance thanks to advanced active and passive safety technology that comes standard on every CR-V. This includes the latest version of Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) architecture that has been enhanced for even better compatibility with larger vehicles.
This was achieved with a new upper A-pillar structure, side frame and lower firewall structure – all designed to route crash energy around the cabin. Side impact protection also has been improved, with stiffer structures in the roof, side sill and B-pillar, doors, and the rear wheel arch and C-pillar. Targeting today's Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5-star ratings, CR-V is designed to meet anticipated future standards as well.
First introduced on the new Civic, new driver and passenger front airbags were designed to minimize the potential for severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions. The new front driver's airbag uses an innovative donut-shaped structure to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. The passenger-side front airbag uses a three-chamber design to achieve a similar result, with two outer chambers designed to cradle the head and minimize rotation. For the first time, CR-V features standard knee and rear-passenger side impact airbags.
A new Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver assistive technologies integrates a new wide-angle camera and millimetre-wave radar. The new camera features a 90-degree field of view, while the radar has a 120-degree field of view. This wide angle improves collision prevention performance via improved ability to recognize attributes of objects, such as a vehicles or pedestrians, as well as white lines, road boundaries like curbs, other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, and road signs. The wide angle also enables expanded control range for CR-V at intersections.
Blind spot information is now standard. Also new are Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as more natural responses for existing features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist.
CR-V now features a Driver Attention Monitor, which issues a warning on the dash when it senses the driver is becoming inattentive. Standard Rear Seatbelt Reminder and Rear Seat Reminder are new to CR-V; the latter notifies drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets or other precious cargo when exiting the vehicle.
CR-V Manufacturing
The new 6th-generation CR-V will be built in four plants in North America*, including Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario which is the lead plant for manufacturing the CR-V. CR-V will also be built at the Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants in Ohio, and the Indiana Auto Plant, continuing the 40-year legacy of Honda's commitment to building products close to our customers.
Since 2006, Honda has produced more than 5 million CR-Vs in North America, HCM began manufacturing the CR-V in 2012 and will build its 2 millionth CR-V this year.
2023 CR-V Key Specifications and Features
EXTERIOR MEASUREMENTS |
LX |
Sport |
EX-L |
Touring |
Engine Type |
1.5-litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder |
2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder and two-motor hybrid system |
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Displacement |
1498 cc |
1993 cc |
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Horsepower (SAE net) |
190 hp @ 6000 rpm |
204 hp1 (combined system) |
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Torque (SAE net) |
179 lb.-ft. @ 1700-5000 rpm |
247 lb.-ft. (traction motor peak torque) |
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Drive Modes |
ECON / Normal / Snow |
ECON / Normal / Sport / Snow |
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Transmission |
CVT |
Two-motor hybrid system E-CVT |
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Ratio Range |
2.645-0.405 |
N/A |
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Final Drive |
5.640 |
4.438 |
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Suspension – Front / Rear |
MacPherson Strut / Multi-Link |
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Wheels |
LX - 17-in steel |
19-inch alloy, Berlina Black with machined face |
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Tires (all-season) |
LX - 235/65R17 104H |
235 / 55R19 101H |
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EXTERIOR MEASUREMENTS |
LX |
Sport |
EX-L |
Touring |
Wheelbase (in.) |
106.3 |
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Length (in.) |
184.8 |
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Height (in.) |
65.6 |
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Width (in.) |
73.4 |
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Track (in., front/rear) |
63.4 / 64.0 |
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KEY FEATURES |
LX |
Sport |
EX-L |
Touring |
Honda Sensing® |
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Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure |
• |
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10 Airbags, Including Next-Generation Driver and Front Passenger Front Airbags |
• |
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7-inch Driver Information Interface Screen |
• |
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Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Integration |
• |
• |
Wired/Wireless |
Wired/Wireless |
Wireless Charging |
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• |
• |
7-Inch Colour Touchscreen with Volume and Tuning Knobs |
• |
• |
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9-inch HD Colour Touchscreen with Volume Knob, Customizable Feature Settings and Smart Shortcuts |
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• |
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