Honda hasn’t made any official announcement regarding the successor to its popular compact sports utility vehicle, but a quick search will lead you to a bunch of spy photos and even one leaked patent drawing of an SUV most believe to be the all-new 2023 CR-V. We analyzed the images we gathered and decided that this should be the next vehicle to render.
Based on the spy photos, it looks like the CR-V will grow a bit bigger. The hood and front overhang look noticeably longer. The next gen CR-V’s general design language is similar to the new-gen Hondas, particularly the all-new HR-V. Think of it as Honda’s version of Mazda’s Kodo design, more smooth flowing lines and less dramatic curves.
Up front, the grille shape, pattern, as well as the wing elements that overlap the headlights are reminiscent of the ones seen on the refreshed Passport midsize SUV. Moving on to the sides, the straighter flowing lines give it a cleaner, longer, more premium look. At the back, it continues to have L-shaped taillights but sharper.
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The spy photos also suggest that the rear license plate has been moved up higher. The greenhouse appears to have a flatter top and a slightly more upright windshield. The rearmost side windows get a more squarish shape. Inside, the spy photos partially reveal a low dashboard and what appears to be a tablet-style floating infotainment screen. This design layout is similar to what you would find inside the all-new Civic and all-new HR-V.
What could power the CR-V? While there isn’t any info on this, the Civic engine lineup can give us a clue. With the direction the auto industry is headed, expect at least a turbocharged four-cylinder and a gasoline-electric hybrid. There’s a strong chance we’ll see a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline mill and a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine mated to electric motors in the next CR-V. With Honda Europe’s shift from diesels to hybrids, there’s probably little to no chance the next CR-V will get an oil-burner option.
Like the Civic, we shouldn’t expect drastic changes to the platform. It would most likely continue to have MacPherson strut suspension up front and a multi-link setup at the rear.
While it’s probably still too early to tell how accurate our next gen CR-V rendering is, would you consider it if this is how it looked like? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.
