A Guide to Honda’s SUVs in 2023
For decades, Honda has been a brand that drivers trust to safely and reliably get them where they need to go. They may be known for steady sedans like the Civic or Accord, but Honda has its hands in the SUV segment, too, making a name for itself amongst single commuters and families alike. For 2023, there are four SUVs available from Honda: the HR-V, the CR-V, the Passport, and the Pilot. A lot of bases are covered between the four of them, from the economical and fuel-conscious to the large and luxurious. As a local Beulah Honda dealer, we are here to tell you some of the highlights of these four SUV models, so you will know what to expect when you come to see these models in person.
2023 Honda HR-V
The HR-V is newly designed for the 2023 model year, picking up an improved engine and shedding some noise from its styling. The result is a cleaner, more refined HR-V with a few extra ponies working under the hood—17 hp, to be exact. The 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder gets an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.[a]
The HR-V falls into the subcompact SUV class and is the smallest SUV offering from Honda. It’s sure to be a good fit for smaller families or regular road trippers, with seating for up to five people and cargo space that can be used flexibly. The back seat has a 60/40 folding split, and when it’s folded all the way down, the HR-V has 55.1 cu.ft. of cargo space.
The interior of the HR-V has been modernized for the 2023 model year and now has a clean layout that looks refined and grown-up. The seats can be had in leather or cloth, the latter of which has stitching reminiscent of plaid but more sophisticated. The HR-V’s centerpiece is its touchscreen infotainment display, either seven or nine inches, which stands tall on the dashboard.
There are three trim levels for the 2023 HR-V: LX, Sport, and EX-L. The base LX comes standard with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, as well as automatic climate control. The Sport picks up heated front seats, larger wheels, and upgraded interior elements, like a leather-wrapped steering wheel. At the top of the trim lineup, the EX-L is the most luxurious. It has a leather interior, dual climate control, and ambient LED interior lighting, to name a few of its features. All-wheel drive is available across all trim levels.
2023 Honda CR-V and CR-V Hybrid
The CR-V is another SUV from Honda that is celebrating the start of a new generation in 2023. With larger proportions, the CR-V is a big sibling to the HR-V. Its interior has the same streamlined setup, and it has a similar honeycomb-style grille. It also seats five but has considerably more cargo space at a maximum of 76.5 cu.ft.
Another way the CR-V differs from the HR-V, and the other SUVs on this list, is its powertrain. While the HR-V, Pilot, and Passport are currently offered with engines strictly powered by gasoline, the CR-V has hybrid options. Of its four total trims, two of them are hybrids. The Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid both have impressive fuel economy, getting an EPA-estimated 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 40 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway with all-wheel drive.[b] The hybrid models get 204 hp versus the 190 hp that the gasoline counterparts get, thanks to the electric motors putting in extra work.
The CR-V’s gasoline powertrains are still pretty efficient, getting an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway.[b] The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is turbocharged and paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which offers a smooth transition between gears and more efficient fuel consumption.
2023 Honda Passport
The next size up in the Honda SUV line is the Passport; its maximum cargo capacity is 100.7 cu.ft. Where the Passport sets itself apart is its style of performance. The HR-V and CR-V are designed to be clean and lean, while the Passport is strong and capable.
A 3.5-liter V6 lies under the hood, generating 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It gives the Passport enough brawn to tow fairly heavy loads up to 5,000 lbs. All-wheel drive is standard and the Passport sits high with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. All around, the Passport is a capable driver, strong enough to get the family where it needs to go.
There are three trim levels for the 2023 Passport. The entry-level option is the EX-L, although it’s far from feeling like a base model. It has leather seats that are heated for the driver and front passenger, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a remote start. The Passport TrailSport has its own unique styling, complete with orange accents and amber ambient lighting. The Elite trim grants the most premium experience as far as comfort and convenience go, adding on features like ventilated front seats and hands-free access to the tailgate.
2023 Honda Pilot
Like the HR-V and CR-V, the Honda Pilot got some upgrades for 2023. Its makeover has taken it closer to an SUV aesthetic than the prior model year, which has softer edges akin to the crossover family. The Pilot’s rugged new looks match its capability. The engine across all trims is a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque for up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, like the Passport.
The Pilot is the largest SUV from Honda, with seating for either seven or eight passengers. In the eight-seater, the middle seat for the second row can be stored away for more captain-style seats or brought out to make a bench. The seven-seater Pilot has large captain’s chairs, complete with armrests. The Pilot has 14 cup holders, including eight that are large enough to accommodate 32 oz bottles.
The 2023 Pilot proves to be one of Honda’s most flexible SUVs, with trim options that can suit a wide variety of drivers and families. There are five trim options total: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. All trims can be equipped with all-wheel drive, and the Sport, EX-L, and Touring models can be front-wheel drive as well. The TrailSport deserves an honorable mention, as it makes the Pilot capable of light off-roading. It comes with a one-inch factory lift, all-terrain tires, and an off-road-tuned suspension.
Finding Excellence in Your SUV
It’s been nearly 30 years since Honda first entered the SUV segment. Their entry at the time was the 1994 Honda Passport, which was essentially just a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. Since then, Honda has come into its own, proudly taking up space in the crowded SUV market. In 2023, Honda continues to thrive in all things automotive, crafting high-quality vehicles at a price that makes them accessible. Far from coasting, the brand finds innovation with each new year, demonstrated by the fact that its SUV lineup is almost completely redesigned for 2023.
With these exciting, fresh-faced SUVS and upcoming vehicles like the fully-electric Prologue, it doesn’t look like Honda plans on slowing down anytime soon. If you are ready to check out the latest that the Honda SUV lineup has to offer, we invite you to visit Ryan Honda of Minot. We will show you each of the available models, let you know which one we think you will like based on your current needs, and help you drive away in a Honda SUV that works for you.
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