The 2023 Honda CR-V is our favorite small crossover — the winner of our Best Buy Award in the compact SUV class this year.
It looks more elegant than most compact SUVs, almost like something from a European near-luxury design shop. That’s true inside, as well, where it excels in cargo space and offers a premium feel thanks to lots of soft-touch materials and a design with some flair.
The best CR-V may be the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid.
It’s more efficient — what you’d expect from a hybrid. But it’s also more powerful, with 204 horsepower to the conventional model’s 190. Our test driver says the hybrid CR-V is the “no brainer” choice, with the “best of both worlds” since it “doesn’t have to sacrifice power for fuel economy or the other way around. It doesn’t even have to compromise on cargo space.”
Honda builds the CR-V Hybrid in two trim levels — Sport and Sport Touring. But more buyers find the lower trim level meets their needs. The Sport Hybrid model starts at $32,400 — $6,700 less than the Sport Touring trim.
Let’s examine what the 2024 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid includes.
10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats
This is not bargain seating. The driver’s seat of the CR-V Sport Hybrid adjusts 10 ways and includes a 2-way power lumbar support. The front seats also come with built-in heaters.
They’re upholstered in a long-lasting cloth — you’ll have to step up to the Sport Touring Hybrid model if you want leather. But the steering wheel and shift knob are leather-wrapped. We often find that leather control surfaces make a more considerable difference to luxury feel than leather seating, anyway.
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
In these days of easy electronic distraction, we think of smartphone projection systems as safety devices. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto turn the car’s color touchscreen into a simplified version of your phone’s touchscreen. That connection lets you access streaming music, podcasts, and navigation apps without touching the phone. The systems will even read your text messages and let you compose responses with voice commands. Both are standard on every CR-V.
You get wireless versions if you step up to the Sport Touring Hybrid.
240-watt, 6-speaker audio system
Lower trim levels get a 160-watt, 4-speaker audio system that is adequate but not exceptional. The Sport Hybrid gets a more powerful 240-watt version with two extra speakers.
If you think of your car as a stereo on wheels, you should look at the Sport Touring Hybrid with its Bose premium 12-speaker system.
Traffic Jam Assist
Honda’s Traffic Jam Assist system alleviates some of the grind of city driving. Below 45 mph, it can accelerate and slow to keep up with traffic and make light steering adjustments to keep you in your lane even as the road turns. You’ll need to keep a hand on the wheel and some attention on the road. But wow, does it help when traffic is tight.
Honda Sensing safety features
The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies is extensive for a non-luxury car. It includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and lane departure warning.
It’s all standard. The only safety-related option is a blind-spot information system with a cross-traffic monitor. Everything else is included regardless of price.
More about the 2023 Honda CR-V
Build and price your 2023 Honda CR-V to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see CR-V models for sale near you.
