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Are you deliberating between getting the Honda Civic small car or the CR-V crossover SUV? Both models are very successful and have many positive traits. However, the 2023 Honda Civic has one big benefit over the 2023 Honda CR-V: better driving dynamics.

2023 Honda Civic has better driving dynamics than the 2023 Honda CR-V

Front angle view of gray 2023 Honda Civic compact car
2023 Honda Civic | Honda

Honda has a longstanding reputation for building budget-friendly vehicles that are fun to drive. And this is exemplified by the 2023 Honda Civic, which is available in sedan and hatchback versions.

There are various things to consider when choosing a car, such as the design, gas mileage, safety, interior space, comfort, and available features. While these areas are important, it’s easy to lose sight of what draws many to cars: driving enjoyment. And on this front, the Civic delivers. It has better driving dynamics than the 2023 Honda CR-V.

As detailed by Car and Driver, the Civic provides responsive steering, agile handling, and a “well-balanced ride.” The confident steering comes courtesy of the variable ratio electric power-assisted steering system. Regarding the agile handling, the Civic is more maneuverable than the CR-V — due to its tighter turning circle, smaller size, lower weight, and more aerodynamic design.

With its greater maneuverability, the Civic is better for navigating traffic, driving around corners, backing up, and parking. Also, it provides a nice balance of athletic handling and a smooth ride with its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

Unlike the 2023 CR-V, the 2023 Civic offers high-performance models: Type R and Si

Side view of white 2023 Honda CR-V compact crossover SUV
2023 Honda CR-V | Honda

For those that desire a higher level of driving excitement, the 2023 Honda Civic compact car offers two high-performance variants: the Type R and the Si. However, the 2023 Honda CR-V doesn’t offer any high-performance models. The CR-V is great for providing a comfortable ride, but it won’t blow you away with the performance for any of its models.

The best-performing Civic model is the all-new Type R “hot hatch.” Redesigned for the 2023 model year, the Civic Type R comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It churns out 315 horsepower — with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds. In comparison, the most powerful model in the CR-V lineup is the hybrid. It produces 204 horsepower and completes the 0-60 mph sprint in 7.9 seconds, which is even slower than the standard Civic model (7.5 seconds). 

Other advantages of the Honda Civic over the CR-V

There are other advantages the 2023 Civic has over the 2023 CR-V. This includes higher fuel economy for the fully gas-powered models. The Civic gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 33 city/42 highway mpg, compared to 28 city/34 highway mpg for the CR-V. Also, the Civic will offer a hybrid variant in America in 2024, so we’ll have to see how that stacks up for efficiency against the CR-V Hybrid. 

Additionally, the Civic is more affordable. It has a starting price of $23,450 MSRP, compared to $28,410 MSRP for the CR-V. Also, when factoring in all that Civic has to offer, it provides greater value.

With its better driving dynamics, the 2023 Honda Civic small car has a big benefit over the 2023 Honda CR-V crossover SUV. For those deciding between the two Honda models, the superior driving dynamics are a key element to keep in mind.

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