Release Date, Models, Hybrid Option – The All-New 2023 Honda CR-V Is Ready For Canada

Routinely one of the best-selling vehicles in North America, Canada, and PEI specifically, the Honda CR-V is now thoroughly re-engineered for 2023.

Maintaining everything that has made the CR-V great across five previous generations dating back to the first Honda CR-V in 1997, the sixth-generation 2023 Honda CR-V adopts a more rugged exterior, a more spacious interior, improved all-wheel-drive technology, more standard safety content, greater levels of equipment, and more athletic handling. 

And we know you have questions, so we've come prepared with answers. In fact, before we lay out all of the details, let's answer a few of the questions that we've been hearing for months.

FAQs

Is There A Hybrid?

Yes, there most definitely is. Built right here in Canada with the other CR-Vs, the 2023 Honda CR-V Touring will be sold as a two-motor hybrid-electric with 247 lb-ft of torque, the most ever in a CR-V. The CR-V Hybrid will return outstanding fuel economy, but there's more than just penny-pinching here – there's a lot of performance here. Keep this on the down low, but peak hybrid speed has increased by 45 km/h. 

What Are The 2023 CR-V Trim Levels?

There'll be four to begin. The CR-V LX, EX-L, and Sport are powered by the 1.5-liter turbo cranking out 190 horsepower. The CR-V Touring Hybrid, as the name states, utilizes the 204-horsepower 2.0-liter/electric combo. The updated RealTime all-wheel-drive system is standard on Sport, EX-L, and Touring and optional on the CR-V LX.

What Is The 2023 Honda CR-V's Release Date?

Honda Canada's plan is to launch the 2023 CR-V in the summer of 2022 with the Touring Hybrid arriving "later in the year."

How Big Is The New CR-V?

Just a little bit larger than before: 2.7 inches longer and 0.4 inches wider with a wheelbase extended by 1.6 inches. This means the new 2023 CR-V has more cargo volume than any of the previous five CR-V iterations.

Is It Actually New?

This is no facelift. It's not a simple revamp or a mid-cycle refresh. There's everything here from a new multi-mode all-wheel-drive system (with a new snow mode!) to new Body Stabilizing Seats designed to reduce fatigue, a body that's 15% stiffer than before for better ride and handling, a significantly upgraded Honda Sensing system, and so much more.

What does it mean when we say so much more? Befitting Honda's best-selling model, Honda didn't hesitate to go over every square inch of its CR-V plans with a fine-tooth comb. The result isn't just the best-looking CR-V ever, it's the best CR-V ever... period. Here are some of the highlights.

• • Honda Sensing now includes a wide-view camera (with a 90-degree field of view) and radar (with a 120-degree field of view.) With the radar's improvements, every aspect of Honda Sensing is improved, with greater visibility of vehicles, pedestrians, road markings, curbs, and road signs.
• • Blind spot monitoring is standard on every CR-V model. Also included as standard are Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control, and Traffic Sign Recognition. 
• • There's a new Driver Attention Monitor, rear seatbelt reminder, and rear seat reminder, which "notifies drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets or other precious cargo when exiting the vehicle."
• • The CR-V's 1.5-liter turbo is improved in a wide variety of ways. Peak torque arrives at lower revs and hangs on from 1700-5000 rpm, engine noise and vibration are reduced, and the engine is paired with a transmission that includes improved step-shift programming for more natural acceleration.
• • RealTime all-wheel drive now includes Intelligent Control System with normal, econ, and snow modes. (The Touring Hybrid also includes a sport mode.) Half of the power can now be delivered to the rear wheels.
• • For the first time, Hill Descent Control is part of the CR-V package. If you're descending a steep and/or slippery slope, select speeds between 3 and 20 km/h and allow the CR-V to do the rest.
• • The CR-V LX and Sport include a 7-inch centre screen; CR-V EX-L and Touring Hubrid utilize a 9-inch screen and upgrade Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to wireless. EX-L and Touring also feature navigation. 
• • All CR-Vs now use a physical volume knob.
• • CR-V Touring Hybrid is equipped with a 12-speaker Bose audio with Centerpoint 2 and SurroundStage.
• • Standard equipment in the LX includes an 8-way power driver's seat. (There's leather in the EX-L and Touring Hybrid.)
• • You'll be able to spot the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport by its 18-inch Berlina Black 10-spoke alloys. The Touring Hybrid wears a set of 19-inch 5-spoke alloys.

Over 5,000,000 CR-Vs have been assembled in North America over the last 16 years. Since 2012, Honda Canada has assembled 2,000,000 CR-Vs. Over 250,000 CR-Vs have been delivered to Canadian driveways over the last five years.