Will Honda CRV be redesigned in 2023?

Update July 12, 2022: The 2023 Honda CR-V has made its full debut, and full information and photos are available in our first look story here. Continue reading below for our original reporting on what to expect from the new CR-V in the run-up to its reveal: 

Lately, we've been crystal-balling a bit on what Honda has cooking up next, spurred on by the excellent new Civic and it's elegant, restrained, and yet dynamically excellent new iteration. We've speculated about the 2023 Accord, which we think will get a heavy redesign that take some notes out of Honda's Civic playbook. We've seen how Honda will play the split, stylistically and physically, between the U.S.-market HR-V and the Euro-only Vezel. And, most importantly, we have already seen what to expect from the 2023 CR-V thanks to a very convincing patent image leak.

New Duds

The biggest changes, we expect, will grace the outside of the new 2023 CR-V—a styling overhaul similar to the one Honda applied to the compact Civic, which is mechanically quite similar to its predecessor but couldn't look more different outside and in. Based on our thoughts, the leaked patent application image (the grayscale photo below), spy photos of prototypes we've seen, and clues from existing products, we commissioned these illustrations to show you how we think Honda will redraft the CR-V.

Whereas the smaller new HR-V looks a little puckish, we think the CR-V will forgo that SUV's active-lifestyle leanings for a more sophisticated look. That means slimmer headlights, an elegant grille, and lines that accentuate the extra length that spy shots hint is coming. While the current CR-V his handsome, it looks stubby and a little pinched up front when compared to our notion of where it's headed—in particular, the slim headlights and more conventional grille seem more contemporary than the current CR-V's "end of life facelift" visage.

Out back, the look is a little more evolutionary, but the extra length makes the rear look a little smaller, a little more tucked in, and a little more contoured. A shapely D-pillar and a heavily sloped rear glass give it a bit of a fastback vibe, capturing some of the crossover coupe mojo that's so in vogue these days. A metallic finishing plate under the dark rear bumper adds a bit of zest.

Inside, we imagine the new Civic's focus on simple, horizontal elements and interesting full-width dashboard mesh hiding the air vents will appear here. Expect an infotainment system just like the one found in the Civic, perched on top of the dash, a welcome addition as the current CR-V's screen is too small to be competitive. With that added length, an occasional-use third row may sprout in the back, giving it more ammunition to compete with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sorento.  

Under the Hood

Expect more of the same here, with the 2023 CR-V adopting the previous models' powertrains, with the sort of moderate tweaks and enhancements the latest Civic received. That means the 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 will return for study in most versions, and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated I-4 should make a return in the hybrid version. It's possible a PHEV version will debut in the U.S.; a current-gen CR-V PHEV is already sold in China by Dongfeng Honda. If a PHEV version appears in our market with the new generation, expect something quite similar to the Chinese-market version's 2.0-liter powertrain and something in the neighborhood of 40-50 miles of EV-only range.

Taking Stock

The CR-V is near the top of a segment that is white hot right now, and has been hot for a long time. It's easy to assume that a longer, more versatile, and more handsome replacement vehicle will maintain Honda's position at the top of the heap. But the competition, particularly new models from Hyundai and Kia with bold styling and a broad range of powertrain options, makes the calculus a little harder.

But let's put it another way: the CR-V has built up so much good will that it'd take a real stinker to put a dent in this SUV's appeal. We think, in this environment, the CR-V's biggest challenge will be whether there are going to be enough on dealers' lots to satisfy customer demand. It remains to be seen, though, if the additional length, potential third row, and extra heaping of content we assume will be slathered on drive the price up enough to hurt once the production shortages recede.