The Honda CR-V has been a constantly sturdy vendor since its U.S. introduction 25 years in the past, and Honda is betting it’s going to achieve much more momentum this coming 12 months when it will get an entire makeover for the 2023 mannequin 12 months.
The sixth-generation CR-V grows longer, wider and roomier, with extra expertise and an upgraded inside. It additionally will get an up to date hybrid powertrain that ought to make it extra enjoyable to drive, based on Honda, even because it delivers the kind of mileage motorists will admire at a time when fuel costs stay close to document ranges.
“As America’s outright best-selling SUV of the past 25 years the Honda CR-V has played a critical role in our past, but what’s significant about the all-new CR-V is the important role it will play in our future — with the CR-V hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales,” mentioned Mike Kistemaker, assistant vp of Honda model gross sales at American Honda.
By the numbers
The 2023 Honda CR-V positive aspects 2.7 inches in total size and 0.4 inches in width. The 2023 mannequin’s wheelbase has been stretched 1.6 inches. Meanwhile, one of many extra “radical” adjustments to the crossover’s design sees the bottom of the windshield moved 4.7 inches rearward, 2.8 inches outward and 1.4 inches decrease — a shift that improves visibility, mentioned Honda in a press release.
The new dimensions additionally translate right into a roomier cabin. Rear seat passengers, for instance, now get one other 0.6 inches of legroom and, mentioned Honda, “There’s more cargo space, at 36.3 cubic feet, than any previous version of the CR-V. Fold down the back row and that more than doubles, at 76.5 cf.”
In conserving with the design language it’s launched with different latest mild truck updates, such because the Ridgeline pickup and Passport PathSport SUV, the 2023 Honda CR-V has a extra rugged look. That features a extra upright grille, an extended hood and a powerful, horizontal beltline. There’s additionally an built-in roof spoiler, one in all a number of touches meant to enhance aerodynamics.
Two powertrain choices
The 2023 Honda CR-V might be provided in 4 trim packages, the EX, EX-L, Sport and Sport Touring, and every will function distinct exterior tweaks, beginning with their grilles, entrance fascia and wheels. The Sport, for instance, will get 18-inch 10-spoke Berlina black alloy wheels, with the Sport Touring shod with black 19-inch cut up 5-spoke alloy wheels.
The EX and EX-L, in the meantime, might be powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-4 making 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Power comes on at decrease RPMs than the outgoing mannequin to offer it a sportier response, whereas Honda claims to have additionally decreased engine noise. The engine is mated to a revised CVT transmission that’s programmed to duplicate step shifts at full throttle.
But Honda’s hopes are primarily using on the upgraded hybrid provided as normal gear within the Sport and Sport Touring variations of the CR-V.
Sportier hybrid
This “newly refined” system pairs two electrical motors with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, the package deal now producing 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. That’s up 3 hp and 15 lb-ft respectively and, Honda claims, offers the crossover a extra sporty really feel. The hybrid now can deal with as much as a 1,000-pound trailer for the primary time, whereas the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s prime pace climbs from 86 to 115 mph.
An ”Intelligent” all-wheel-drive system is obtainable on all trim packages — and normal on the Sport Touring. Otherwise, the EX, EX-L and Sport ship energy to the entrance wheels.
There are plenty of new tech options on the 2023 Honda CR-V. Among different issues, it introduces Hill Descent Control for the primary time. This capabilities as a low-speed cruise management, letting a driver set a pace of wherever from 2 to 12 mph when negotiating a steep hill.
New expertise
The Honda Sensing system is normal on all trim packages and affords quite a lot of superior drivers help techniques, comparable to ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking. The 2023 mannequin provides options comparable to Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Low-Speed Braking Control.
The CR-V EX and Sport fashions function a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The greater trim EX-L and Sport Touring fashions get an upgraded 9-inch high-resolution touchscreen, in addition to normal wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They additionally get a navigation system and Qi wi-fi smartphone charging. The Sport Touring additionally provides a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Price, mileage TBA
Honda hasn’t launched pricing for the 2023 CR-V but. The present model of the crossover begins at $26,800. Also but to be introduced are gasoline financial system numbers. The present crossover will get as much as 28 mpg City and 34 mpg Highway with its fuel engine, and 40 City, 35 Highway with the hybrid.
Production of the sixth-generation CR-V might be unfold out over three North American meeting crops, two within the U.S. and one other in Canada. About 5 million have been assembled in North America since 2006, half within the U.S. services.
Look for a staggered rollout, the gas-powered variations of the 2023 Honda CR-V reaching showrooms later this summer season, the hybrid to comply with later this 12 months.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com
