2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Review and Off-Road Test

We test out the very weird and good 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid with All-Wheel Drive. Plus, we test it's off-road capabilities!

#Honda #offroad #hondacrv

CONTENTS
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Features
03:46 - Back Seat
04:50 - Front Seat
09:45 - Driving Impression and 0-60MPH Test
20:29 - Off-Road Tests

Get a VIP Pass for Driving Sports TV on YouTube:

Driving Sports produces exclusive automotive reviews, news and motor sports for broadcast, web, mobile and set-top boxes. Do not use our video content without permission. All rights are reserved.

Equipment used to make this video:

Follow us:

[ahsahm]

We got one of these, I love it. I can be a snob about cars. The reality is that there is no perfect car, you have to find the sweet spot between price, functionality, and what YOUR value points are. We got this because my spouse hauls horse stuff (Saddles, bridles, saddle pads, boots, etc.) in bins. Very roomy for that type of hauling stuff. It does great on those rough roads at the barns and stables, we're not off-roading or racing in this thing. Great gas mileage and consistent. Great functionality in terms of safety stuff, adaptive cruise and active lane centering is very important to us. It is definitely a very attractive car, looks aggressive. It's fun to drive. We compared this to the same year Toyota RAV4 and I hated everything about that, seemed cheaply made. This car seems very well built, when you close the door, you get the whoomp. Again, this may not be for everyone, but it is perfect for our needs.

[atmartens]

I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with you on something so much. The CRV is and has always been a much better choice than a RAV4. To me the Rav4 is just incredibly boring and the interior bland, driving is bland. I agree that it’s not the most sporty to drive, especially with a CX5 but it by far is a segment leader with great reliability, gas mileage and the best thing about Honda is just how simple they make things.

[sentiencepsn]

Better looking than the messy Toyota styling. Front looks like a baby Pilot, rear reminds me of Volvos. Good value for the money.

[srm]

Gotta say it looks much better. Most people just want a reliable suv with good features. I’ve always been a Honda man but couldn’t bring myself to buy the older crv for my wife as it looks like a squished mini van. Will def be considering this new Gen

[UltimateTuner]

We just took delivery of an EX-L AWD and honestly the power feels fine around town and highway merging too. I have a 22 civic sport touring with the same engine which is def peppier but the 1.5 in these feels more than adequate too

[JRs-guitars]

Wow, snow mode was surpising. Did you go back and try it on the first section to compare? Might be worth trying out..

[billyrock]

I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with you more on an auto review. The RAV4 is noisey, dated and dull. I’ve watched and read dozens of RAV4 vs CRV reviews. You’re the only one who likes the RAV4 more.

Car & Driver rates the CRV a 10/10. Consumer Reports recommends as the best SUV you can buy. It is currently the best selling non pickup truck vehicle made. We all love it, but you don’t.

FYI. 99.9% of people don’t sleep in their vehicle. That’s a silly comment to make in an auto review. Nobody buys a CRV for off road use. If we’re hitting serious off road we are looking at a Subbie or a 4Runner.

Disappointing review 😢. We’ll give you a mulligan. It’s okay to review it again the way we buy and drive it.

[toadsage]

I've had my 2025 CR-V Sport-L for about 5 months and I'm really liking it so far. I haven't been getting the best gas mileage this winter, currently struggling to get 30 MPG average per tank, but I knew I would take a hit on mileage when the cold weather came knocking. Also, most of my commute is highway, and the hybrid excels more at city driving than highway. Still, as a first time CR-V owner who traded up from a 2020 Civic, I'm really digging the capability of AWD and the higher ride height you get with a crossover. I'm hoping to keep my CR-V for many years to come!

[giolats]

This is the best and most complete new gen Honda CRV review so far!
Could you please post an image or short with a shot like this at 17:30, but without the bottom right frame so that we can see the interior and climate controls of the car?

[catom]

This was such a great, mega chill, and enlightening video. Thanks for making this!

[wulver]

Got my 2024 for my sons first birthday... I was shocked by the space available in the vehicle. Almost every other car is jam packed and the car seat would nearly rub the driver seat when I'm in it (6'2"). So, I'm glad to have all this room and the door that opens 90 degrees. I don't plan on taking it off road, but your video at least gives some confidence if I hit some trails for camping in the future. I do like that it is a bit sporty but, it's not a sports car or sedan so I won't try to push it like one. I don't really understand why so many reviews talk about any of that for a crossover/suv. Go drive a GMC Typhoon or something lol.

[alexandrajablecki]

I just bought one, great video, thanks!

[CopilotTV]

Thanks for the video review and for listening to your subscribers . You the best. ❤

[briq]

Would be interested to see how it would have done with the first part of the off-road part in snow mode. And I am pretty sure the burning you smelled was brakes. Honda doesn’t have a side to side clutch in either the front or rear for transferring power left to right. So it was trying to brake the spinning wheels. So wondering if snow mode would lower that spinning threshold and get you going easier.

[fakcofee]

I don’t know if manufacturers don’t allow reviewers to mention any comparisons with other manufacturers, but it would be so much more useful if you could say a few words about them. How does it feel on the hill compared to RAV4? Is it comparable in the corners with CX-50? Overall handling and maneuverability, driving comfort

[jasonsong]

22:38 I don't think it's clutch since it doesn't have a clutch until the engine is connected directly to the transmission. It's probably brake pads since they are essentially made of the same materials and you got a lot of wheel spin there when the system is trying to redistribute power. Honda probbaly could have been a little more aggressive on the brakes clamping down wheel spins like Subaru does.

[thepiecesfit]

Interesting that the AWD didnt engage automatically and sports mode was needed. Any chance we will see a snow test soon? Would love to see if it can handle that hill any better than the Rav4.

[tomcharbonneau]

I dislike the button shift, one more thing to go wrong. A shift is nearly bullet proof and just feels good in hand.

[Eugen-E]

It has a launch control function. If you launch the car it won't do that fake shifting and it is around 1 second faster 0-60.
Civic Hybrid in Europe which has the same powertrain does that.

[rombor]

Interesting test 👍

The question is how is the interior heating system of the vehicle solved? Does the car have a heat pump as in the ev or is the interior heating standard?