The 2023 Honda CR-V has been launched in Australia. Now available from Honda dealers ahead of imminent deliveries, the new generation CR-V is now both larger and more expensive than before. Priced from $44,500 drive away, the new CR-V is more feature packed than before while still offering the same five- and seven-seat layouts as its predecessor. For the first time, a hybrid variant of the new CR-V range is on offer, but only at the top of the range in a new e:HEV RS trim.

“The CR-V has always been a favourite in the Australian market. The all-new CR-V gives our customers even more to love, with plenty of options to choose from including hybrid and petrol variants, AWD or 2WD and 5 or 7 seats. And all come with new safety and tech features to enhance our busy and active lives. It is the core of our SUV line-up and promises to continue to deliver the quality and reliability Honda is known for,” said Honda Australia Director, Ms Carolyn McMahon 

Under the bonnet of the 2023 Honda CR-V is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the previous-generation CR-V, which makes 140kW of power (at 6,000rpm) and 240Nm of torque (between 1,700rpm and 5,000rpm). That engine is mated to a CVT automatic transmission and either solely the front wheels or – in some models – all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the 1.5T is rated between 7.1L/100km (VTi X) and 7.7L/100km (VTi LX AWD) and CO2 emissions between 162g/km and 169g/km.

For the first time, Honda is offering a hybrid variant of the CR-V, which mates a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to two electric motors for 135kW (between 5,000rpm and 8,000rpm) and 335Nm (between 0 and 2,000rpm) outputs and is mated to an e-CVT transmission. Fuel consumption for the hybrid is rated at 5.5L/100km and its CO2 emissions are rated at 125g/km. In Australia, the hybrid is only available in five-seat front-wheel drive form.

Standard equipment on the entry-level 2023 Honda CR-V VTi X (priced from $44,500 drive away) includes 17-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size alloy spare wheel), automatic dusk- and rain-sensing all-LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and start with a hands-free power tailgate, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, fabric upholstery, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Honda Connect, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, an eight-speaker sound system, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display and 90-degree opening rear doors.

Safety equipment includes 11 airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, traffic jam assist, lane trace assist, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

The VTi L7 ($46,800 drive away) adds two extra seats for seven in total, an extra zone of climate control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a space saver spare wheel.

Over the base VTi X, the VTi L ($48,800 in two-wheel drive form or $51,300 for all-wheel drive) adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, inbuilt satellite navigation, a smart key card, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, rear privacy glass, leather upholstery, heated front seats, two-position memory for the driver’s seat, a four-way electric front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rear mirror, a leather steering wheel and gearknob and automatic wipers.

The $53,000 drive away VTi L7 – the highest-specification seven-seat CR-V in Australia – adds the same extra equipment over the VTi X7.

Over the VTi L, the VTi LX AWD ($57,000 drive away) adds a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, an exhaust pipe finisher, sportier exterior styling, an auto-tilting passenger door mirror in reverse gear, a panoramic sunroof and LED interior ambient lighting.

Finally, the top-spec 2WD e:HEV RS ($59,900 drive away) adds a 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain, cornering lights, Matrix adaptive auto high beam, black exterior detailing like the wheels, shark fin antenna, mirrors, door handles and rear spoiler, red stitching for the leather upholstery on the seats and steering and a black headliner.

Colour options for the 2023 Honda CR-V range include ‘Ignite Red’, ‘Platinum White’, ‘Lunar Silver’ and ‘Meteoroid Grey’, while the VTi L and above are also available in ‘Crystal Black’ and ‘Canyon River Blue’. All colour options are no cost extra. Black is the sole interior option in Australia – the e:HEV RS has red stitching for a sportier look.

2023 Honda CR-V pricing (drive away):

  • VTi X 2WD: $44,500
  • VTi X7 2WD: $46,800
  • VTi L 2WD: $48,800
  • VTi L AWD: $51,300
  • VTi L7 2WD: $53,000
  • VTi LX AWD: $57,000
  • RS e:HEV hybrid 2WD: $59,900

The 2023 Honda CR-V is now on sale in Australia with the first local deliveries due to commence soon. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.

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