ALISTAIR WEAVER: Alistar Weaver here for Edmunds
at a top secret location with a stat that might just shock you.
Last year, the Honda CR-V was the third-biggest selling
vehicle in the world, selling over 900,000 units,
even in a depressed market.
And 350,000 of those were sold right here in the US.
So when there's an all-new one, it's a pretty big deal.
No pressure, Honda, not at all.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Now the CR-V's success isn't just commercial.
Even now on its very deathbed, it
remains Edmund's top-ranked small SUV,
out-pointing such luminaries as the Mazda CX-5
and the much newer Hyundai Tucson.
And it does so not by being outstanding in any area,
but by being a great all-rounder.
Priced for under 30 grand, it remains the default family car.
It's no surprise, then, that for this, the new sixth generation
2023 model, Honda has taken an evolutionary approach.
To borrow from that old saying, they've
kept both the baby and the bathwater.
It still looks like a CR-V and it's pretty much the same size,
just 2.7 inches longer overall.
But in keeping with the current zeitgeist,
it's a bit more rugged.
It's a bit more adventure chic, this comfortable runabout
vehicle, that CR-V has been told to toughen up.
There's also more differentiation
between the trims.
This entry level EX and the slightly posher EX-L
get plenty of chrome and a more understated vibe.
Or, you can have a Sport or a super posh Sport
Touring of which this is one.
Then you get more black trim, you get some fake nostrils,
and as the piece de resistance, some rectangular exhaust pipes.
Oh, yes.
Right, let's take a peek inside.
But before we do that, if you like what you see and admire,
a man who can just about pull off double denim, then
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offer.
Promo over, on with the interior.
This is the entry level EX trim which
we expect to cost about 30,000 bucks when it
goes on sale later this year.
And yes, it doesn't have all the posh accoutrements you'd expect
of a more high-end model-- this steering wheel, for example,
is plastic--
but overall, the sense of quality is good.
This new honeycomb dash treatment is very much
becoming a Honda signature which debuted on the latest
generation Civic, and I love these little joystick controls
for the air vents.
That car geek moment remind me of an old Saab.
The fit and finish and the basic material choice
also feels a cut above the old CR-V.
What don't I like?
Well, the big issue for me remains this screen.
This is an all-new car and Honda still
hasn't found a way of integrating it.
The interior, it's like the designers
forgot and decided to dump it on top of the dashboard.
This being the entry level EX, you
get a 7-inch display and an interface that still
feels a bit, well, Windows 95.
This has long been a Honda problem.
However, what you're more likely to do
is plug your phone in with a cable,
then you can access both Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
So you're going to hit Connect on the screen here
and then you're going to be able to indulge your full passions
for country music.
If you upgrade to the Sport Touring trim,
you get such niceties as a bigger touchscreen
with wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, plus your trim
and a funky Bose Hi-Fi.
Let's talk practicality.
There's plenty of augment storage space, a couple of cup
holders, and Honda is super proud of its nine liter storage
bin right here in the middle that they
say is truly class-leading.
What else do I like?
Well, this driving position is excellent,
held by an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat,
which is impressive on an entry level car.
This steering wheel can also adjust in and out
and up and down so the driving position
can be tailored to all shapes and sizes.
It's also a bit more car-like than the old CR-V
which is a bit more SUV.
I like it.
Honda's also upgraded the safety kit in the CR-V.
You get a new donut-shaped airbag in the front
that they say is better for offset impacts.
You get knee bags for the first time,
and side impact airbags in the rear.
Great to see.
But there's also a plethora of electronic systems
that should help you avoid an accident in the first place,
things that keep help you stay in lane or brake
in an emergency.
It's also good that all this kit is standard
on every trim level, so you don't
have to pay extra for a posher model
to feel safe and secure in your car.
Good stuff.
There's also, for the first time, a rear-seat reminder
in case you leave your dog or your kid in the back seat
when you step out to go to dinner or something.
Apparently, this is a real thing,
so there's now a reminder that says,
hey, check the rear seat for little Jimmy.
Talking of the rear, here I am.
This seat is set up for my 6 foot 4 inch frame,
and as you can see, I've got plenty of knee room.
It's properly impressive.
Honda says it's just 0.6 of an inch more rear legroom
than there was in the old model, which
is pretty negligible, but overall, a nice place to be.
And what they have introduced is more recline for the rear seat,
which now has eight different settings of recline, including
this one where you can kind of lay back, relax,
and let somebody else chauffeur you to your destination.
There's also a family-sized well-shaped trunk.
On hybrid versions, it measures 36.3 cubic feet
behind the seats, which is similar to its rivals.
And if you choose a non-hybrid version of the CR-V,
you can also lower the trunk floor
to give you an extra bit of practicality.
And, of course, the seats split 60-40,
as you'd expect for carrying those big loads.
Let's talk engines and motors.
You basically got two options, a 1.5-liter turbo with 190
horsepower that's carried over from the old model,
and a tweaked new hybrid system 2-liter,
4-cylinder gas powered engine connected to two electric
motors, which gives you more power--
204 horsepower-- and a big dollop
more torque, all low-down pull.
Honda expects 50% of customers to choose
the hybrid, which is a big uptick over the old model.
Those numbers are competitive, but not exactly class leading.
Later on, we expect to see a plug-in hybrid version
of this CR-V, but not just yet, and there
won't be a full EV version.
Honda's working on something different for that.
All-wheel drive is available on every trim and actually
standard on the Sport Touring that we have over there.
It's been updated a little bit so now 50% of the torque
can go to the rear wheels which should
help in slippery terrain.
Also for the first time on a CR-V,
you get hill descent control, which
helps you navigate down steep slippery descents
and pretty much takes care of all the braking for you.
And on top of that, you get a snow mode,
which makes it easier to navigate slippery surfaces.
It changes things like the throttle response,
which again, is great news, particularly
if you live in a snow belt.
So how much is all this going to cost?
Well, the current SUV spans about $28,000 to $40,000,
including destination.
Honda admits that this new model is going
to go up in price a little bit.
Hey, so is everything else.
So we're expecting about 30 to 45 grand.
It's always been a decent value, and we
expect that to remain true, and it'll be very much in line
with the main competitors.
This is a very sensible update of a very sensible car.
There's nothing here that makes you say wow, but then,
what did you really expect?
There's also nothing here that makes
us think that the CR-V won't continue
to duke it out with the very best in the small SUV class.
It goes on sale this summer, and we'll be driving it very soon.
Can't wait.
So if you want to learn more about it, do stay tuned
or subscribe, like, comment, visit the edmunds.com website,
or do all that great internet stuff
and we'll tell you all about it as the future unfolds.
Thank you for watching.
See you soon.