Stay Fresh: These 6 Compact SUVs Are All-New for 2023
Why buy an SUV that will look old in just a few years? These six all-new SUVs are at the beginning of their lifecycles and will look brand new for several years, like the new for 2023 Honda HR-V or the BMW X1. Also, because they’re all new designs, these SUVs have the latest in tech and features. These six all-new for 2023 SUVs from Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford that are coming to dealers soon.
2023 Honda HR-V won’t stir your soul, but it is more comfortable
The all-new 2023 Honda HR-V is a big step forward for the HR-V. Like the Corolla Cross, it’s based on a car, but the Honda is built on the new Civic platform that is longer and wider. That new length allows fold-flat rear seats ad more legroom than the outgoing model.
The 2023 HR-V will come standard with Honda’s 2.0-liter 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The SUV gains only 17 horsepower, but that’s a more than 10% gain. It is still mated to a CV-T, however, and as MotorTrend says that contributes to slow acceleration. But, Honda says it will still see great gas mileage. It should see 26 mpg in the city and get up to 32 on the highway. All-wheel drive saps a bit of that efficiency.
The 2023 Honda HR-V pricing starts at $23,650, which is a slight increase over the 2022 SUV. It comes in three versions, base LX, Sport, and EX-L. The base LX now comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Honda Sensing tech.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is Toyota’s newest small SUV for 2023
Yes, we know, the Corolla Cross isn’t redesigned for 2023. But we’re making an exception here because there’s a new separate model called the Corolla Cross Hybrid that’s an all new model. The Hybrid comes in five grades, LE, XLE, S, SE and XSE. The new hybrid system has 194 horsepower and Toyota estimates it should achieve 37 MPG combined. It comes with Toyota’s clever electric all-wheel drive system standard.
The Corolla Cross also gets several fabric-trimmed or SofTex-trimmed seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Audio, as well as the newest version Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and more.
All-new for 2023 BMW X1 is larger and more powerful
BMW did one thing that with the X1 that should improve this tiniest of BMWs: it made it bigger. The new-for-2023 X1 has a larger interior and wheelbase, which made room for an even larger kidney bean grille. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder now makes 241 horsepower and comes with a quick-shifting 7-speed DCT.
Inside, the Z1 gets a new curbed display, as well as new BMW Live Cockpit Plus features that include Bluetooth, USB-C ports, and color-changing lighting. The new iDrive system is also faster. The seats were also updated, including the optional sport seats, to be more comfortable and add the SensaTec 2.0 fabric for this best-selling BMW.
The Mercedes GLC 2023 update matters
Like the X1, the new all-new GLC matters to Mercedes-Benz because it’s the company’s best-selling vehicle. The interior has been spruced up with a new, sleek, two-cockpit feel split by a large center screen. The big news is that it’s packed with technology inside, and in the engine bay, with a new hybrid version and four gas versions and even promises some off-road abilities with an available air suspension that can jack up the body a few inches.
The GLC may be a luxury SUV, but it has some off-road ability baked in. It’s 4Matic all-wheel drive, higher ground clearance (by 23 mm), and slightly higher suspension let if conquer trails others, like the BMW X1, wouldn’t dare tread. The new GLC starts at $43,850, but the options can get expensive fast, like the $450 heated seats, $350 memory for the passenger seat, or the $1,300 multimedia package that adds navigation and live traffic information.
Ford Escape ditches the jelly bean look for a modern stance
The Ford Escape always does standard SUV stuff, like haul the family and hold a lot of stuff, well. Now, Ford is trying harder with an all-new 2023 Escape styling.The new Escape is distinctive with very BMW-like door sills, a higher beltline, and simply more presence than the old jelly-bean Escape. While the base model is interesting and new, the two we’re waiting for are the new ST-Line model and the PHEV, or plug-in hybrid, versions. We will have to wait until the beginning of 2023 to
The ST Line is the one to wait for if you want a hot hatch. It will have a 250-horsepower version of Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, a 13.2-inch touchscreen with the new SYNC4, and upgraded handling. THE new PHEV version makes 210 horsepower, which is less than the 2022’s power, but it now can go up to 37 miles on all-electric power.
The new for 2023 Honda CR-V is bigger, more rugged
The new Honda CR-V finally ditches its friendly, happy, face, and gets a more traditional SUV-like snout and tailgate. It also grows, so you can pack in more stuff. Sure, the styling is great, but the CR-V also gets a new more powerful two-motor hybrid electric system, as well as some cool new trim levels, like the CR-V Sport and Sport touring trims. The new-for-2023 CR-V is also getting a healthy dose of marketing that now shows it in perilous off-road situations, instead of fighting the urban slog, and that could bode well for the all-new CR-V.
The CR-V feels bigger than the others on this list, like the BMW X1, however it’s considered a compact crossover SUV. The Honda CR-V was once the top-selling SUV in the U.S., but in the last couple of years the Toyota RAV4 took over that top spot. Will the new CR-V bring the goods to top it?
