2023 Honda CR-V Preview

The Honda CR-V is a mainstay in the compact SUV segment, having been on sale for almost 30 years. Honda teased the upcoming 2023 CR-V, which will feature mildly overhauled styling and improved hybrid performance. Calling this "the year of the SUV," Honda also has an all-new HR-V coming soon, and the automaker's TrailSport models have earned good reviews for their rugged-but-not-too-rugged attitudes.

To be clear, this doesn't look like a clean-sheet redesign. Instead, Honda massaged the familiar CR-V shape and made it more muscular with aggressive front fascia vents and what appears to be a new grille design. Honda calls it a "rugged and sophisticated design," so the new model may get a TrailSport variant at some point.

Honda promises a more advanced hybrid system for a sportier driving experience. The current CR-V Hybrid comes with a 2.0-liter inline-4 with an electric motor that makes 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque combined. All new CR-Vs come with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission.

Honda hasn't elaborated on specs for the standard gas model yet, but we expect its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine to be the same one we saw in previous models. The engine produces 190 hp and 179 pound-feet of torque in the 2022 CR-V, but Honda could bump the power for the new model year. The standard gas SUV will continue to be available with front- or all-wheel drive.

Previous CR-V models came standard with a puny 5-inch LCD infotainment display, which required buyers to step up in trim level to obtain the good stuff. That said, Honda may include a larger unit in base CR-Vs going forward to keep it competitive with the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4, all of which come standard with excellent infotainment hardware.

It's too early to discuss safety ratings, but expect the automaker to include its Honda Sensing safety package as standard equipment.

Honda and the author's speculation are the sources of information in this article. It was accurate as of May 24, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.