Two of the most popular cars in the Honda lineup are the CR-V compact crossover SUV and the Civic compact car. Let’s see how they stack up in this 2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Honda Civic comparison.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Honda Civic: What are the differences?

In this 2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Honda Civic SUV-car comparison, we evaluated multiple areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, and price. 

CR-V vs. Civic: Performance

On the performance front, the 2023 Honda CR-V offers two engine options: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower) and a hybrid (204 horsepower).

For the 2023 Honda Civic, the engine options for the standard model include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower) and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower). Additionally, the sporty Civic Si has another version of the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 200 horsepower.

For those that desire an even more powerful driving experience, there’s the Civic Type R “hot hatch.” The Civic Type R has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 315 horsepower.

Another performance advantage of the Civic is its greater maneuverability. This makes it easier to weave through traffic and drive through curves and around corners. The maneuverability is also helpful for parking and backing up the vehicle. 

CR-V vs. Civic: Gas mileage

For efficiency, the fully gas-powered CR-V gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 30 combined mpg, while the CR-V Hybrid gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 40 combined mpg. In comparison, the Civic has an estimated fuel economy of up to 36 combined mpg. 

CR-V vs. Civic: Towing

If you need a vehicle that can tow, then the 2023 CR-V is the better choice for you. It has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, while the 2023 Civic is not rated for towing.

CR-V vs. Civic: Off-road capabilities

The CR-V is also the better choice for those that want to drive off-road. For one, unlike the Civic, the CR-V offers an all-wheel drive system. Also, the CR-V has higher ground clearance than the Civic (up to 8.2 vs. 6.7 inches). Even if you never drive off-road, these attributes are beneficial for driving in adverse weather conditions, such as snowy and icy roads. 

CR-V vs. Civic: Passenger and cargo space

The CR-V crossover SUV is slightly bigger than the Civic compact car, resulting in more interior space. It has a total passenger volume of 104 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 76.5 cu-ft. In comparison, the Civic provides a total passenger volume of 99.0 cu-ft. And for storage space, it has a maximum cargo capacity of 14.8 cu-ft for the Civic Sedan and 24.5 cu-ft for the Civic Hatchback.

CR-V vs. Civic: Warranty coverage

For warranty coverage, both the CR-V crossover SUV and Civic compact car are backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Also, both vehicles have a complimentary maintenance plan, with two years or 24,000 miles of coverage. 

CR-V vs. Civic: Price

The 2023 Civic costs less than the 2023 CR-V, which makes it a good option for budget-minded automotive shoppers. It has a starting price of $23,950 MSRP, compared to $31,110 MSRP for the CR-V.

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Honda Civic: Which vehicle is better?

In this 2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Honda Civic comparison, each vehicle has various advantages. For the 2023 CR-V crossover SUV, advantages include base engine horsepower output, an efficient hybrid model, towing, off-road capabilities, and passenger and cargo space. Conversely, advantages for the 2023 Civic compact car include maximum horsepower output, maneuverability, gas engine fuel economy, and a lower price.