2023 Honda crv photos interior

The Honda CR-V has been one of Canada’s favourite crossovers since its introduction in 1997. Now comes the 2023 sixth-generation model. Slip behind the wheel, and you’ll find a much-improved cabin with more space for the riders and their stuff, along with a needed technology update.

The first impression is the cabin has been moved upward in terms of the material quality and attention to detail. It starts ahead of the driver with a new blended instrumentation setup. An analog speedometer sits on the right side with a seven-inch screen sitting to the left. The format is clean and clear, and it is reconfigurable — the screen can show everything from the all-wheel-drive power split and navigation; to the active safety and what’s covered.

All models benefit from a significantly improved infotainment system. The LX and Sport models feature a seven-inch multimedia touchscreen that looks after Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when wired. Move up to the EX-L and Touring models, and you’ll find a larger nine-inch touchscreen that works wirelessly with CarPlay and Auto. The top Touring also earns a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Both new infotainment setups feature a proper knob for volume and now use a simplified infotainment menu.

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The significance of the new menu should not be overlooked. It is much simpler, which gives the driver fast and easy access to all key infotainment functions and tiles that look after vehicle settings like the assist systems, keyless access setting, and the lock-unlock strategy. Compared to the outgoing system, it’s much smarter and far more intuitive.

The new Body Stabilizing seats bring bolder bolstering and better posture control, which improves comfort on a longer drive. The new profile also provides the needed support when running a twisty road. In the LX and Sport models they are wrapped in black cloth, with the driver getting six-way manual adjustment.

Move up to the top Touring model and you’ll find black leather with orange stitching. This touch is picked up on the console, steering wheel, and shifter. In the EX-L and Touring models, the driver earns an eight-way power seat with two-way lumbar adjustment, while the passenger is treated to a power four-way adjustment.

Check out how the 2022 Honda CR-V compares to rivals

For the rear-seat riders, there’s 15 millimetres more leg space thanks to the 41-mm stretch in the wheelbase. There is also acres of headroom and enough width to accommodate three adults. Yes, the middle seating position is domed, but the flat floor means there’s some usable foot space. It is also more comfortable with the seat backs now having eight recline positions — it ranges from a near-vertical position, which squares off the cargo area; to the laid-back snoozing mode.

The attention to detail is obvious. First, the A-pillars have been re-positioned. They were moved rearward by 119 mm and pushed out by 71 mm. This and the re-positioned door mirrors really does improve outward visibility. A small touch is found in the hidden air vents. As with Civic, the look is cleaner, yet the air-flow remains effective. It’s one of those things that often gets overlooked.

Another small but meaningful touch is the doors close over the side sills, so there’s no more salty stains on your pant leg when getting in or out of the CR-V. Finally, the wipers have a neat trick — the washer jets spray onto the blade, but only on the up-stroke. As a result, the driver is not left momentarily blinded, and it uses 40-per-cent less fluid.

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Another key improvement is cargo capacity. There is 1,028 litres behind the rear seats, which is up more than 34 litres. Dropping the cargo floor to its lowered position bumps the space 1,113L. Finally, folding the 60-40-split seatbacks down opens up 2,166L. By way of reference, that’s more cargo space than the Hyundai Tucson (2,119), Kia Sportage (2,098L), Toyota RAV4 (1,977), Ford Escape (1,852L), and Mazda CX-5 (1,680L).

The lone nit is the folded seatbacks sit higher than the load floor, so the cargo area is not flat. However, two spring-loaded curved flaps pop into position when the seats are folded down. This rounded approach eases the chore of sliding a larger item into place.

The CR-V also gets more active safety. The Honda Sensing suite of driver assist technologies now includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a new Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking control and a drowsy-driver monitor. The forward collision mitigation system has also been improved thanks to a new wider-angle camera (now 90-degrees) and wider millimetre-wave radar (120-degrees). The wider angles allow the system to recognize vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists with more accuracy. It also adds road-sign recognition. For the family, there’s the new Rear Seat Reminder — it reminds the driver to check the rear seat for precious cargo.

The sixth-gen 2023 Honda CR-V addresses the interior nits found in the outgoing model. As such, it now has better comfort, more space for the riders and cargo, and it’s smarter, with a much better infotainment system.

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