By: Joshua Lee
July 18, 2023
Recently, we reviewed the Honda CR-V Touring Hybrid, and we couldn’t see ourselves recommending another trim as we believe that the hybrid is the one you should go for. We understand that some buyers might not be in the market for a hybrid or want to spend that much on an SUV.
Thankfully, Honda Canada let us test their non-hybrid counterpart, the 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L, to see if this can be just as impressive as the hybrid. Powering the EX-L is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque between 1,700-5,000RPM. While not as quick as the hybrid, the engine is adequate for everyday driving.
The CR-V EX-L has the same ride quality as the hybrid, providing a smooth ride and engaging steering response. Honda says that the new CR-V’s chassis and suspension are stiffer, but it does well going over bumps, and it’s not too bad going into corners. The CVT is smooth when accelerating, and the simulated gear changes aren’t bad either. There are three driving modes: Normal, ECON for optimized fuel efficiency, and Snow for better traction management. You can also tow up to 1500 pounds (680 kilograms).
Our EX-L model features the optional Platinum White Pearl paint finish, 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels wearing P235/60 R18 Hankook Kinergy GT all-season tires, body-coloured side mirrors, a piano/gloss black honeycomb front grille, a power tailgate, and a moonroof. As much as we love everything offered in the EX-L model, we have only one gripe which are the mismatched wheels; which make the car look much cheaper than it really is.
The interior is a nice place to be, offering a clean layout and great outward visibility. The EX-L features a seven-inch driver’s information display, a nine-inch centre touchscreen infotainment system, and a reasonable eight-speaker sound system. The infotainment system is user-friendly and easy to connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which are standard. The 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat is comfortable, while heated seats are standard in both rows. A heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and remote engine start are standard in this model. The legroom in the back is spacious and the rear seats can recline for greater comfort. Cargo capacity is 1113L with the 60/40 split rear seats up and 2166L with them down.
Honda fits the CR-V with auto high beam, forward collision warning, lane departure warning with blind spot detection, a back-up camera with rear camera washer, and front and rear parking sensors. We found that the Honda Sensing technology on the new CR-V is more accurate in detecting obstacles and lanes. If the vehicle detects that you are wandering off, it alerts you by a “wobble” in the steering wheel; it’s less abrupt than before. Adaptive cruise control was easy to activate and kept the car at the appropriate distance setting. The CR-V also comes with a Driver Attention Monitor which will notify the driver to take a break if it senses too much steering wheel correction activity.
According to Honda Canada, the CR-V EX-L can do 9.1L/100KM city, 7.6L100KM highway for a combined 8.4L/100KM. The hybrid model does great in fuel efficiency, and it’s the same with the EX-L too, as we got the combined rating for the week.
The FWD versions start at $36,374 for the LX-B and $36,374 for the LX at $36,924. AWD versions start at $39,174 for the LX-B, $39,724 for the LX, $43,074 for the Sport-B, $43,621 for the Sport, $45,521 for the EX-L, and $51,021 for the Touring Hybrid. Ours came up to $45,823.50 after taxes and delivery.
Do you need to go for the hybrid model? You don’t have to, as the gas-powered CR-V is still fun to drive, fuel efficient, and a major improvement over the last generation. The exterior styling is appealing and offers a spacious interior. It’s a no-haggle SUV for buyers who want things to be simple. Although it doesn’t feel premium like other crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5 Sport Design and Nissan Rogue Platinum, the CR-V is still good value and a step-up for current CR-V owners. The new redesign is worthy of being competitive again, with great build quality and fewer complaints than its predecessor. The CR-V is enjoyable as it’s practical, easy to handle, and user-friendly. You can’t go wrong with either version.
