As part of the 2021 updated range, the CR-V saw a number of name changes, but there are still seven variants available, ranging from five to seven-seaters, and with front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices are up across the carryover models by between $2200 and $4500 - read our original pricing story to see why.
Opening the range is the Vi, which carries over as the only model in the range without the turbo engine (any CR-V with VTi as part of its name indicates turbocharging), while it’s also the only CR-V without the Honda Sensing safety suite. More on that in the safety section below.
The prices seen here are the Manufacturer’s List Price, also known as MSRP, RRP or MLP, and don’t include on-road costs. Shop around, we know there will be drive-away deals.
The Vi model lists at $30,490 plus on-road costs (MSRP), which is more expensive than the pre-facelift model, but this version - which has 17-inch alloy wheels and cloth seat trim - now runs a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as dual-zone climate control. This version also has Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, 2x USB ports, a digital instrument cluster with digital speedometer, and a four speaker sound system. It has halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights, as well as LED tail-lights. There’s a reversing camera fitted, too.
Step up to the VTi for $33,490 (MSRP) and you gain the turbo engine (details below), as well as keyless entry and push-button start, an additional four speakers (eight total), an additional 2x USB ports (four total), a cargo cover, exhaust pipe finishers, adaptive cruise control and the Honda Sensing active safety suite (detailed below).
The VTi 7 is new to the range, and is essentially a more economy-focused version of the old VTi-E7, now costing $35,490 (MSRP). For context, the VTi-E7 used to have leather trim, power driver’s seat adjust and 18-inch alloys. The new VTi 7 costs $1000 more than the old car, misses all of those items (now cloth trim, 17-inch wheels, manual seat adjust) but has the safety suite. It adds third row seats with air vents, plus two additional cup holders and curtain airbag coverage, as well as third-row top tether hooks in the boot floor. It misses a cargo blind, though.
The next model up the pricing tree is the VTi X, which replaces the VTi-S. It is a $35,990 (MSRP) proposition, and adds the safety tech and a hands-free tailgate, as well as auto headlights, auto high beam lights, a leather steering wheel, and from this grade up you get Honda’s LaneWatch side camera system in lieu of a traditional blind-spot monitoring system, and in-built GPS Garmin sat nav. This is the first grade in the range to get 18-inch wheels, plus it has rear parking sensors standard, and front parking sensors, too.
The VTi L AWD is the first grade in the step-up with all-wheel drive. It essentially replaces our previous pick of the range, the VTi-S AWD, but costs more. The VTi L AWD is $40,490 (MSRP), but adds a few goodies over the models below, including leather-appointed seat trim, driver’s seat electric adjustment with two memory settings and heated front seats.
The VTi L7 ($43,490 MSRP) does away with AWD but gains the third-row seating, as well as the good stuff mentioned in the VTi L as well as privacy glass, a large panoramic glass sunroof, LED headlights and LED fog lights, and a wireless phone charger. It also gets auto wipers and roof rails, plus steering wheel paddle shifters.
The top-of-the-range VTi LX AWD is a pretty pricey offering, at $47,490 (MSRP). In fact, that’s $3200 more than it used to cost. It’s a five-seater, and over the VTi L7 adds items like heated door mirrors, auto up/down windows for all four doors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, electric front passenger seat adjustment, a leather-wrapped shift knob, DAB digital radio, and it gets 19-inch alloy wheels.
It’s fair to say the grades are pretty confusing, but thankfully Honda doesn’t charge extra for the colours available in the CR-V range. There are two new hues available - Ignite Red metallic and Cosmic Blue metallic - and the selection on offer does vary based on the grade.
Are you considering buying either the 2023 Kia Sportage or the 2023 Honda CR-V? Are you trying to figure out which compact crossover SUV model to get? Take a look at this 2023 Kia
Sportage vs. 2023 Honda CR-V comparison. With its abundance of advantages, the Sportage beats the CR-V. In this 2023 Kia Sportage
vs. 2023 Honda CR-V crossover comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, towing, off-road capabilities, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, and price. On the performance
front, the 2023 Honda CR-V has a slightly higher base engine output, but the 2023 Kia Sportage has a significantly higher maximum horsepower output. The CR-V offers two engine options: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (190 hp) and a hybrid
(204 hp). In comparison, the Sportage offers three engine choices: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 hp), a hybrid (226 hp), and a plug-in hybrid (261 hp). For efficiency, the fully gas-powered Sportage has an estimated fuel economy of up to 28 combined mpg, while the Sportage Hybrid has a gas mileage of up to 43 combined mpg. Also, the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 84 MPGe when in electric-only mode and 35 combined mpg in hybrid mode.Sportage vs. CR-V: Performance and gas mileage
The efficiency figures are not yet available for the 2023 CR-V. However, for the 2022 model year, the fully gas-powered CR-V has a fuel economy of up to 30 combined mpg, while the CR-V Hybrid has a fuel economy of up to 38 combined mpg. With its all-new hybrid engine, the CR-V Hybrid could be more efficient, but it won’t come close to matching the high gas mileage of the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Towing
On the towing front, the Sportage has the advantage. It can tow up to 2,500 pounds, compared to 1,500 pounds for the CR-V.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Off-road capabilities
If you want to head off-road, then the 2023 Sportage is the better choice for you. While both crossover SUVs offer a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system, unlike the 2023 CR-V, the 2023 Sportage has off-road models. This includes the Sportage X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Safety
The Sportage and CR-V offer a similar roster of safety and driving assistance features. This includes electronic stability control, brake assist, a blind-spot monitoring system, cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Passenger and cargo space
The Sportage and CR-V can both seat up to five passengers — and offer a similar amount of passenger space. The Sportage has 41.4/41.3 inches of front/rear legroom, compared to 41.3/41.0 inches for the CR-V.
For storage space, the CR-V has a slight edge. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 76.5 cu-ft, compared to 74.1 cu-ft for the Sportage.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Warranty coverage
The Sportage has more generous warranty coverage, with the backing of a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the CR-V has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Sportage vs. CR-V: Price
Which crossover SUV costs more: the 2023 Sportage or the 2023 CR-V? The starting price of the 2023 Sportage ranges from $25,990 MSRP for the LX trim up to $42,990 MSRP for the Plug-In Hybrid X-Line Prestige trim.
For the 2023 CR-V, the price information is not yet available. However, the crossover SUV will likely cost slightly more than the 2022 CR-V. The starting price of the 2022 CR-V ranges from $26,800 MSRP for the LX trim up to $37,800 MSRP for the CR-V Hybrid Touring trim.
2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023 Honda CR-V: Which crossover SUV is better?
In this 2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023 Honda CR-V comparison, the 2023 Sportage has most of the advantages. This includes advantages for maximum horsepower, hybrid gas mileage, towing, off-road capabilities, and warranty coverage. Conversely, advantages for the 2023 CR-V includes base engine horsepower, gas engine fuel economy, and cargo space.