The 2023 Honda CR-V is the brand-new version of the popular Honda compact SUV, and it’s still as good as ever. In fact, the 2023 model year is the first model year of the sixth generation of the CR-V, and as such, Honda gave it some major updates. Here’s a look at six reasons why the 2023 Honda CR-V is still an SUV that car shoppers need to consider.

The specs of the 2023 Honda CR-V

The new CR-V starts at around $32,000, and Honda gave it two engine options. According to Cars, the standard option is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and it gets 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a CVT, and front-wheel drive is standard.

Honda offers all-wheel drive as an option, and the standard engine is relatively decent overall. It gets 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highways for 31 mpg combined. That said, the optional 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain is the better option. It’s one of the six reasons why car shoppers should consider the CR-V.

1. Honda gave the hybrid option more power

The Honda’s optional hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to get 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. That’s more powerful than what the old hybrid powertrain got. This allows the CR-V to be even more fun car to drive, and all the meanwhile, it’s also the most efficient option. The hybrid powertrain with front-wheel drive is the CR-V’s most efficient configuration, and it gets 43 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highways, for 40 mpg combined. 

2. The 2023 Honda CR-V has more cargo capacity now

Thanks to the redesign, the Japanese auto giant could move things around and ultimately give owners more cargo capacity. The 2023 CR-V has 3 cu-ft more max cargo capacity than the 2022 version does. In total, folks will have 39 cu-ft of space without folding any seats down, the Honda will top out at 76.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with the seats folded down.

3. The 2023 CR-V handles better than before

In addition to the more powerful engines, Cars wrote that Honda also improved how the CR-V handles. It’s not a sporty vehicle, but it steers better than before and feels more agile overall.

4. Honda gave the CR-V an upgrade in how it shifts

Another significant change with the redesign happened to the shifter. Many drivers didn’t like where Honda placed the car’s shifter, so the new CR-V has its shifter set where it’s usually placed, on the console.

5. The new CR-V has better safety features too

Honda is well-known for making safe cars, and the CR-V has always been a very safe pick. The Japanese automaker didn’t stop improving on itself, though, and it made some enhancements to the CR-V’s safety features.

In addition to the long list of smart safety features that were already standard on the CR-V, it now also comes with blind spot monitoring as a standard safety feature. The car’s cameras and radars also have an upgraded field of view, which should help the safety features better detect people and objects. Plus, the airbags were redesigned to be more effective during a crash.

6. Honda gave the 2023 CR-V an updated interior

On top of that, Honda also overhauled the CR-V’s interior. It’s now more spacious, making it more comfortable for drivers and passengers. The Japanese automaker also used higher-quality materials, so the SUV’s interior will also feel better.