The CR-V is Honda’s best-selling model for a reason: It’s a great compact SUV with an unquestionable heritage. Since its debut in 1997, the Honda CR-V has attracted immense competition from other compact SUVs such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson, gradually losing its leading position in the compact SUV segment.
Honda has returned with the 2023 CR-V, which is available in four trim levels: EX and EX-L, gas-only models, Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, hybrid powertrains only.
sling offers the 2023 CR-V 5-seat with a tempting starting MSRP of $34,790. The CR-V offers space, a great driving experience, ease of use and fuel efficiency, but the 2023 CR-V doesn’t tick all the boxes. Without further ado, let’s dive into the four reasons you might want to avoid the 2023 Honda CR-V.
1. The 2023 Honda CR-V has an unimpressive gas engine
The 2023 CR-V is more powerful than the 2022 CR-V. However, the EX and EX-L models come standard with a disappointing gasoline engine. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes just 190 hp and 179 lb-ft.
According to car and driver, the engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and either a front or all-wheel drive system. But still, the gas engine is inferior to the hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, making 204 hp and 247 pound-feet.
The 2023 CR-V brakes and corners effectively, but lacks sharp handling. According to cars.comThe 190-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine “feels sluggish, especially when stopped.” Worse still, the 2023 gas engine sounds loud and strained when accelerating to highway speeds.
The 2023 Honda CR-V has compromised visibility
All versions of the 2023 CR-V come standard with nice driver assistance systems (ADAS), including traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot warning, and a driver monitoring system. The CR-V’s ADAS package also incorporates Honda Sensing, which has lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning and forward collision warning.
Honda also upgraded the adaptive cruise control system with lane keeping assist and low-speed following. cars.com reports that the 2023 CR-V’s forward visibility has improved over the older CR-V, but the rear center seat’s roof-mounted belt compromises the compact SUV’s rearward visibility. In addition, the new CR-V’s thick pillars, small rear windows and rear-seat headrests worsen rear visibility.
The 2023 Honda CR-V has soft brakes
While the 2023 CR-V Hybrid offers an enhanced driving experience, its brakes are very impressive. cars.com he states that “the pedal feels mushy and lacks a linear feel.”
Honda offers owners of the 2023 CR-V Hybrid an alternative to the brake pedal, a “B” button on the shifter that enhances regenerative braking. While regenerative braking does effectively slow the CR-V down hills, it can’t bring it to a complete stop. By contrast, the gas-only versions of the 2023 CR-V feature more robust brakes.
two. The 2023 Honda CR-V lineup lacks a plug-in hybrid version
Honda is transitioning to an electric future and has equipped the 2023 CR-V Hybrid with regenerative braking. Unfortunately, the automaker does not offer a PHEV version of the SUV. Therefore, owners of the 2023 CR-V will miss out on the enhanced driving experience of plug-in hybrid SUVs like the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV and 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe.
The 2023 Honda CR-V lineup boasts a happier hybrid, improved handling, an updated interior, an easy stick shifter, improved safety features, and increased cargo volume. However, its disappointing gasoline engine, compromised visibility, soft brakes, and lack of a plug-in hybrid model in its lineup make it a poor choice for a compact SUV.
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