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Honda is teasing the all-new 2023 CR-V with some new pics that show some new hints about what the midsize crossover will look like. About the only thing Honda says in a news release is that the CR-V will have a new, more advanced, hybrid system for “a sportier driving experience and more capability.” Regardless, a lot is riding on the new 2023 CR-V because it’s Honda’s best-selling vehicle.

What do we know about the new for 2023 CR-V?

A teaser image of the front of a Honda CR-V
New for 2023 Honda CR-V | Honda

The one thing we certainly know is that Honda will reveal the new CR-V later this summer. From the pictures we can clearly see a few hints of the new design. The CR-V will have LED headlights and tail lights. It will have a blacked-out grille that looks more like it came from Audi’s Q5, not a Honda. It also has shoulders, more like Volvo SUVs, in the rear, and an updated hybrid badge that is a giveaway about the new hybrid system. It’s also expected to be larger, and come with a convenient third row.

Honda says the styling is more rugged. It could be, but we can’t see its stance on the road yet. But crossover SUVs, like the original CR-V, were popular because they combined the rugged looks of their truck progenitors with the comfort and capability of a tall wagon. But, like we said, a lot is riding on this update to be great.

The 2022 CR-V is great, but the competition is gaining

A teaser image showing the back of the 2023 Honda CR-V
The new for 2023 Honda CRV | Honda

The 2022 CR-V was a popular crossover, no doubt. But with the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, and even the Ford Bronco Sport showing up with more sophisticated interiors, better hybrid systems and all-wheel drive, and of course much more modern styling, the CR-V was starting to slip. The current generation was more evolutionary than revolutionary when it was released in 2016 as a 2017 model.

The CR-V starts at about $27,000, which makes it a good deal, but the base model doesn’t come with the goodies you want. For the same money, or not much more, you can get a Hyundai Tucson with a gas-sipping hybrid motor, and a nicer interior.  The Honda starts at $32,010 with its mild hybrid drivetrain.

The five-passenger crossover space is getting crowded with good, if not great, cars and the CR-V will have to be significantly upgraded to compete, especially with the new Pilot.

The new 2023 CR-V will join the new for 2023 Honda HR-V

The new for 2023 HR-V could hint at the styling of the 2023 CR-V.
All-New 2023 Honda HR-V Steps Out with Youthful, Athletic Styling

The new 2023 Honda CR-V won’t be the only new crossover on Honda lots. Honda is also upgrading the CR-V’s little brother the HR-V with an all-new look, interior, and larger cargo hold. The last CR-V was rated highly by Consumer Reports, and it was always noted for its efficient hybrid system. The crossover gets an EPA estimated 38 mpg combined, and reviewers liked its smoothness, if not lack of speed.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.