6th generation of hybrid SUV arrives in Brazil in 2023

This is the new 2023 Honda CR-V. The SUV is simply Honda’s best-selling car in the United States. With an impressive track record in the country, it has led sales in the segment for the last 25 years. Given its importance, the brand chose the North American country for its debut, but this interests us a lot. The new CR-V 2023 will also be launched in Brazil, arriving next year, for the first time in its hybrid version.

At this first moment, the Honda CR-V 2023 makes its debut in the normal version, leaving the hybrid later in the year in the country. The brand describes the car as “perfect for your daily life or weekend getaways”, increasing its proportions to offer more interior space, while maintaining the sophisticated design that customers already expect from the mid-size SUV.

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Source: Motor1.com

The renovation starts with the external design, which has a new identity, somewhat reminiscent of what the company used in the new HR-V, but in its proper proportions. The front grille is very wide, integrated with the full-LED headlights and with a line at the top, which is illuminated at the edges and also serves as an arrow. The front bumper is well sculpted, especially at the corners, where it forms an inverted “L”. It has a second air intake at the bottom, which uses two chrome pieces on the edges. It’s enough to give the CR-V a more modern look.

On the opposite side we find fewer changes. Honda kept the “L” shaped lights, but discarded the chrome frame for the rear window, which makes a big difference. The sign was repositioned to be in the middle of the trunk lid and the bumper was redesigned, in addition to leaving aside the chrome line.

According to Honda, the CR-V has a wheelbase that is 4 centimeters longer, now measuring 2.70 m. This makes it 4.69 meters long, 6.8 cm longer. The width increased by 1 cm to 1.86 m, while the height remained at 1.69 m. The new measurements translated into 1.5 cm more leg space, but mainly in the trunk, now with a capacity of 1,027 liters (measured up to the ceiling).

In addition to the new measures, the chassis was revised and the structure was strengthened. It has 15% more torsional rigidity than the previous generation, improving handling. The suspension has also been revised, using MacPherson struts at the front and a steering column with a stiffer subframe, increasing its precision and response. The rear has a multilink suspension, using 15% stiffer springs.

Sharing a platform and parts with the new Civic, the CR-V has a cabin practically identical to that of the sedan. It has a floating multimedia center at the top of the dashboard, with a 7 or 9 inch screen depending on the version. It uses the same outlet for the air conditioning that blends with the finish, creating a line with a “grid”. The difference is in the central console, positioned further forward and with a different design, but without using the transmission lever vertically as in the past.

While the sedan has a fully digital instrument panel, the CR-V 2023 has a 7″ screen next to the analogue speedometer. The display will show some information such as the hybrid system or the multimedia center. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the more expensive versions, hill descent assistant, and even the company’s new airbags, shaped like a donut to minimize diagonal impacts. It even has knee and side airbags for passengers.

It will come standard with the Honda Sensing package, with safety equipment such as blind spot warning, traffic sign reader, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistant, among others. It gained a new angular camera with a 90° view at the front and 120° at the rear, improving the detection of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The cheapest versions, called EX and EX-L, maintained the 1.5 turbo four-cylinder engine, generating 190 hp at 6,000 rpm and 24.7 kgfm from 1,700 rpm. This engine has been updated with a new turbo and exhausts for the cylinder heads, helping to maintain maximum power across a wider rev range. It is combined with a CVT transmission, also improved to reduce vibrations and noise.

The highlight, of course, is the 2.0 hybrid, combined with two electric engines and available in Sport and Touring configurations. There are 207 hp of combined power and a torque of 34.1 kgfm, while consumption has not yet been revealed. It is the fourth generation of this system, which received direct fuel injection and positioned the two electric motors side by side. Honda says it has a system called Linear Shift Control, mimicking the sensations of accelerating and shifting gears in a regular car. Furthermore, this new version of the hybrid engine increased the maximum speed from 138 km/h to 185 km/h.

Since 2019, during the Tokyo Motor Show, the news has been confirmed for Brazil. At the time, the brand’s executives confirmed the offer of 3 electrified models in the Brazilian market until 2023. Produced in the United States and Canada, the new Honda CR-V 2023 will be the third element of this equation, which already includes the Accord and later this year will have the new Civic.

Here in Brazil it will only be sold in the Touring version with the hybrid package that delivers 207 horsepower. You can also look forward to the most complete equipment package, including all Honda Sensing assistants. In addition to the new CR-V, Honda’s SUV lineup will also be complemented by the new ZR-V next year.