Honda released pricing on the 2023 Honda CR-V and the gist is the trim levels are simplified, the overall vehicle is being moved upmarket, pricing is up somewhat and the Hybrid variant is poised to become a larger part of the CR-V portfolio.

While the headline number is a price increase of $4,310, this ignores that Honda has simplified the lineup and cut two lower trims from the 2022 model: LX and Special Edition. The CR-V now starts at the EX trim and has increased in price by $1,800 over the 2022 EX to $32,355. But LX & Special Edition aren’t the only variants being sunset, as both the [gas-only] Touring AWD and EX-L Hybrid AWD are not carrying forth.  This effectively reduces the number of trim levels by half from 8 to 4. Note that both Hybrid trims gain a ‘Sport’ designation with the EX Hybrid becoming the Sport Hybrid and the Touring Hybrid becoming the Sport Touring Hybrid. The only net addition to the lineup is a FWD Sport Hybrid with higher MPG, AWD is now optional.

2023 CR-V moves upmarket and cuts trim count by half

Hard to believe in 2022, but the CR-V LX did not have Apple CarPlay or blind-spot warning standard. By dropping LX and Special Edition the CR-V now has both these features standard as well as heated seats, moonroof, push button start, LED foglights, 18” wheels and more. This change increases the presence of the Hybrid variant (it is both the only way to get the ‘Sport’ trim levels and moves from 3 out of 8 trims to 2 out of 4). The RAV4 Hybrid comprises a significant portion of RAV4 sales volume and with this change Honda is looking to push the CR-V in that direction as well.

From EX to EX-L adds leather, power liftgate, a larger 9” screen (up from 7”), a higher watt sound system and dual-zone climate system amongst other features.  Sport Hybrid adds the typical sport kit to the standard features set of the EX, including larger 19” wheels and an overall ‘black optic’ look with black mirror caps and a sportier front & rear fascia.

2023 HR-V LX makes a very budget-friendly argument as a replacement for the 2022 CR-V LX at a $3,150 lower price

As talked about in a previous piece, this change pushes the CR-V upmarket continuing a trend that Honda and its competitors have already began. For those lamenting the availability of a more affordable, but basic CR-V variant note that the Honda HR-V is still available in LX trim and now that the HR-V is nearly as large as the outgoing CR-V (within 2” length and height), it is a plausible alternative, especially at $24,895 (or $3,150 less than the outgoing CR-V LX). And by the way it does have Apple CarPlay standard.