2023 honda passport vs 2023 honda cr-v

It may seem just yesterday that Honda overhauled its bread-and-butter compact crossover, but in reality, the last time we saw a completely redesigned CR-V, Obama was the lamest of ducks and Hillary Clinton appeared poised to take the White House. Thankfully, the world has calmed down considerably over the past six years, to the point where the introduction of the 2023 Honda CR-V seems wildly exciting by comparison. 

Seriously, if 2016 doesn't feel like a lifetime ago, we'd like a taste of whatever you're imbibing. One thing hasn't changed, however: The CR-V is one of the most successful compact crossover-style SUVs on the market, lagging only the Toyota RAV4 in sheer sales. It should come as no surprise then that Honda did more than throw a fresh coat of paint on its compact crossover before sending it out the door. 

The 2023 CR-V's new styling borrows a bit from the redesigned Civic, but that resemblance pretty much begins and ends at the nose. Elsewhere, there are more nods to Passport, Ridgeline and Pilot than to anything else on Honda's lineup — yeah, go figure; the crossovers/SUVs look similar. If you ask us, Honda drew some inspiration from the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan, depending on which angle you view it from. The rear end, however, is unmistakably CR-V; those taillights are dead giveaways.

The new look is due in no small part to some well-intentioned changes to the front end. If the new nose looks much longer to you, it's not your imagination. Honda moved the CR-V's A-pillar nearly five inches back and almost three inches outward in a bid to improve forward visibility. This fundamentally alters the CR-V's proportions, making it look far more SUV-like than the previous generation. Whether the visibility improvement is equally dramatic remains to be seen. Yeah, sorry. 

Overall, the new CR-V is nearly three inches longer than the outgoing model. Its wheelbase is now 1.6 inches longer, and its track nearly half an inch wider, both of which should contribute to a smoother ride. Honda says suspension, chassis and steering changes will make the new CR-V not only more refined, but more fun to drive. The CR-V and CR-V hybrid dual-model strategy is also being scrapped. In simple terms the CR-V Hybrid is dead; long live the CR-V hybrid (small "h").

Honda's new strategy will still employ two powertrains, with the hybrid positioned as the performance option. The EX and EX-L will be powered by Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which will make the same 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque as it does in the current model. The Sport and Sport Touring models will be powered by a revised hybrid powertrain producing 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.

While that's not much of a power increase for what we suspect will be a decent amount of extra heft it has to carry around, all that torque should help. Honda has also rated the hybrid powertrain to tow 1,000 pounds. Previously, trailering was off the table entirely. Honda says the rear cargo area now boasts more than 36 cubic feet of total volume with the rear seats up and 76.5 cubic feet with them laid flat, which should give it a slightly larger edge over the Toyota RAV4 and may even save you from needing a trailer in the first place. 

Honda also chose a two-tiered strategy for the new CR-V's interior. The EX and Sport models come standard with 7-inch infotainment screens, while the better-equipped EX-L and Sport Touring get 9-inch systems with wireless device charging. The Civic inspiration is even more evident in the cabin thanks to the grille that runs nearly the entire width of the dashboard, disguising the heating and cooling vents. The seat designs are new, and Honda says they'll reduce fatigue on longer stints. Digital instrumentation is now universal across the CR-V lineup, so there are no more analog gauges even on the EX. 

No matter which CR-V you choose, you'll get some version of Honda Sensing, which is the company's active safety suite. Blind spot monitoring is now a standard feature, and Honda has also made traffic jam assist, low-speed braking control and traffic sign recognition available for the first time. Outside of the Honda Sensing suite, the company also added a driver attention monitor and a rear-seat reminder feature. Honda also recalibrated its adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist features to respond more naturally. 

The new CR-V EX and EX-L will arrive in showrooms this summer; the hybrid models will follow before the end of 2022. We'll be driving the new CR-V here shortly, so stay tuned for first impressions. 

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Honda didn't need to reinvent the CR-V for 2023, as it is already one of the bestselling compact SUVs in the U.S. and the automaker's most popular model. For its sixth generation, the CR-V grows slightly, sports a more upright and squared-off front end, and has a modernized cabin with larger touchscreens and higher-quality materials.

We traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to take a spin in this all-new CR-V. Our sample car, a midrange EX-L, came finished in Radiant Red paint and rode on 18-inch wheels that are fitted to much of the range. While not as outwardly bold as the 2023 Kia Sportage or the Hyundai Tucson, the new CR-V cuts a more stylish path through traffic than the outgoing version.

Not that there was much traffic to navigate on the meandering country lanes that constituted our test drive around the Nashville Superspeedway, a 1.3-mile tri-oval located 30 miles east of downtown. The racy staging point was an ironic twist, considering the CR-V's mission is to transport up to five people and plenty of cargo comfortably and economically with stress-free driving dynamics.

By the numbers, the 2023 CR-V is 2.7 inches longer, rides on a wheelbase stretched up to 1.6 inches, and has slightly wider front and rear tracks (0.4 to 0.5 inch front and 0.3 to 0.5 inch rear) than the previous model. This pays off with a bit more rear legroom and slightly increased cargo volume with the rear seatbacks folded, now 77 cubes, while the 39 cubic feet behind the second row is the same as before. Thanks to its nearly flat floor and ample glass area, the CR-V's cabin is a light and airy place to spend your time.

Two Familiar Engines

A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder returns, delivering the same 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque as before, although peak torque arrives a few hundred rpm sooner. This engine is again coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission, and the CR-V is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Our EX-L was equipped with all-wheel drive, and the updated system can now send more torque to the rear wheels—up to 50 percent versus a max of 40 percent previously. The CR-V also adds hill-descent control.

While the turbocharged 1.5-liter powers the EX and EX-L models, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder coupled with two electric motors is found in the top two trims, Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. It makes 204 horsepower (down from 212 horses previously) and 247 pound-feet. The hybrid variant, however, won't be available until later this year. EPA estimates are not yet available but shouldn't stray far from last year's 30 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive 1.5-liter and 29 mpg for the AWD version. The AWD hybrid previously was good for 38 mpg overall, but the new Sport Hybrid also is available with front-wheel drive, which should result in a slight increase. (We averaged 30 mpg in our long-term test of a 2021 CR-V Hybrid.)

Performance with the standard engine is fine for a vehicle in this segment. The turbo four-cylinder fades into the background and the transmission makes the most of the available power. Acceleration is modest, though the CR-V gets up to speed without you needing to pin the gas pedal to the floor. If you do, the result is simply more engine noise.

Our drive loop consisted of well-groomed two-lane roads, though we attempted to flummox the suspension by aiming for any bumps and ruts encountered along the way. To its credit, the CR-V was unflustered and extremely quiet at a steady cruise. Honda stiffened the chassis and reinforced the front and rear suspension, the result being a very smooth ride and steering that's light and accurate. Unfortunately, the handling doesn't have the fun-loving nature found in some rivals, most notably the Mazda CX-50. To be fair, driving excitement doesn't rank high among must-haves for many shoppers in this segment.

Upgraded Interior and New Features

More important is the fact that the 2023 CR-V now comes standard with more driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Also new are a driver-attention monitor and a rear-seat reminder. Buyers may be more likely to appreciate the infotainment system's clearer menus and quicker response times. Our EX-L tester came with the larger 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity and wireless charging, an upgrade over the base 7.0-inch system, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, found in the EX and Sport. All models get a digital instrument cluster. Honeycomb-patterned trim that neatly hides the air vents, a sleek design flourish first introduced on the Civic sedan, dresses up the dashboard itself.

Improvements to the CR-V are incremental, true, but this practical and value-oriented SUV already ranked among the best in its crowded segment. Honda made a good thing a little bit better with the 2023 CR-V, and that's probably enough.

Specifications

Specifications

2023 Honda CR-V
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE (C/D EST)
EX, $31,000; EX AWD, $32,500; EX-L, $33,500; EX-L AWD, $35,000

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 190 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.3 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 73.5 in
Height: 66.2–66.5 in
Passenger Volume: 104 ft3
Cargo Volume: 39 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3500–3650 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 7.5–7.7 sec
100 mph: 21.1–21.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.8–16.0 sec
Top Speed: 124 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 29–30/27–28/32–34 mpg


2023 honda passport vs 2023 honda cr-v

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2023 honda passport vs 2023 honda cr-v

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How is the passport different from the CR

Engine and Transmission The 2022 Honda Passport comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, while the 2022 Honda CR-V is available with a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. The former produces a horsepower of 280 hp at 6,000 rpm compared to the latter, which is capable of 190 hp at 5,600 rpm.

Is the passport bigger than the CR

The midsize Honda Passport is about 8.4 inches longer than the compact Honda CR-V. It's also wider than the CR-V. Because of the CR-V's smaller stature, some drivers will find it to be a more suitable city vehicle.

Why is there a shortage of Honda Crvs?

Due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips, Honda dealers barely have a 10-day supply of vehicles, including the CR-V, compared with a pre-pandemic norm closer to 60 days. Those shortages aren't expected to be resolved for a year or more, according to industry analysts like Bank of America's John Murphy.

What is the Toyota equivalent of the Honda CRV?

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V - Car Comparison.