6th-Gen Honda CR-V: 2023–Present Guide

Dark gray 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD in New Castle, Pennsylvania

The sixth-generation Honda CR-V is the current CR-V, sold in the US from the 2023 model year to today. It’s bigger than before, and Honda pushed the hybrid hard, so most trims now get a 204-hp two-motor system that returns up to 40 mpg. Here’s what changed year to year, which recalls to check, how it rates for safety and which version to buy.

6th-Gen CR-V at a Glance

Model years 2023–present US model years

Code RS e:FCEV is ZC8

Engines 1.5T or hybrid 190 hp or 204 hp

Best mpg 40 combined Hybrid with FWD

Big update 2026 TrailSport and standard 9-inch screen

Built in Ohio, Indiana, Ontario For North America

What Makes the 6th-Gen CR-V Different

Honda didn’t reinvent the CR-V for 2023, but it made it bigger and more grown-up. The cabin feels a class above the old one, and you still get a big back seat and about 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind it in gas models.

The bigger story is under the hood. You can still get the 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo on the LX, EX and EX-L, but every Sport and Touring trim is a hybrid. That 204-hp system feels stronger in town because the electric motor makes 247 lb-ft, and it’s rated at up to 40 mpg combined.

Then, for 2026, Honda added the TrailSport Hybrid with all-terrain tires and made a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. As a result, a 2026 or newer CR-V feels noticeably better equipped at the bottom of the range.

Rear seats of a sixth-generation Honda CR-V Hybrid, China-market version

204 hpHybrid system output
40 mpgHybrid FWD, combined
39.3 cu ftCargo, gas models
1,500 lbTowing, 1.5 turbo

What we like

Hybrid gets up to 40 mpg combined
Roomy back seat and cargo area
Above-average predicted reliability for recent years

What to watch

Hybrid tows only 1,000 lb
Poor rear-seat result in the IIHS updated moderate overlap test
2023–2025 base trims miss the bigger screen and wireless CarPlay

6th-Gen CR-V Engines and Power

In the US, the choice is simple: the 1.5-liter turbo on the cheaper trims, or the two-motor hybrid on everything from the Sport up. Outputs haven’t changed since 2023. Outside the US, Honda also sells a plug-in hybrid.

Engine	Years	Found in	Output
1.5L turbo I4, CVT	2023–present	LX, EX, EX-L	190 hp / 179 lb-ft
2.0L I4 two-motor hybrid	2023–present	Sport, Sport-L, TrailSport, Sport Touring	204 hp / 247 lb-ft
Fuel cell plus 17.7-kWh plug-in battery	2025–present	CR-V e:FCEV (California lease only)	174 hp / 229 lb-ft
2.0L I4 two-motor hybrid	2023–present	e:HEV (Europe)	181 hp / 247 lb-ft (motor)
2.0L I4 plug-in hybrid, 17.7 kWh	2023–present	e:PHEV (Europe and China)	181 hp / 247 lb-ft (motor)

US model years for US models. European figures are the electric drive motor’s output, converted from metric and rounded.

A new CR-V, then a tech update

6th-Gen CR-V Changes by Model Year

Most of the sixth-gen CR-V’s changes have been about trims and tech rather than the hardware. The 2026 update is the one that matters most if you’re shopping used.

2023 Launch year. The gas EX and EX-L and the Sport and Sport Touring hybrids go on sale in fall 2022, and the cheaper LX is added during the model year.
2024 Honda adds the Sport-L Hybrid, which pairs the hybrid with leather seats.
2025 Mostly price changes. In addition, the hydrogen CR-V e:FCEV goes on sale in California as a lease-only model, with 270 miles of range.
2026 The TrailSport Hybrid arrives with all-terrain tires. Also, every trim gets a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging, while EX-L and up get a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster.
2027 Carryover year with new pricing, from $31,520 for the LX to $42,950 for the Sport Touring Hybrid.

Our verdict: if your budget allows, get a 2026 or newer CR-V. The standard 9-inch screen and wireless phone connection make even the base trims feel up to date.

6th-Gen CR-V Special Models

The sixth-gen CR-V doesn’t have a performance version, but it does have a well-equipped hybrid flagship, a soft-road TrailSport and, outside the US, a plug-in hybrid.

Rear view of a gray 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid in Queens, New York

2023–present

Sport Touring Hybrid

204 hp AWD only 19-inch wheels

The top CR-V comes with all-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. However, its cargo area is a bit smaller, at 34.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

2026–present

TrailSport Hybrid

AWD only All-terrain tires 35 mpg

It adds Continental all-terrain tires, a tougher-looking front end, orange badges and Ash Green paint. Ground clearance stays at 8.2 inches, so it’s for dirt roads, not rock crawling.

2023–present

CR-V e:PHEV

Plug-in hybrid 51 miles EV Not sold in the US

Sold in Europe and China, the plug-in CR-V has a 17.7-kWh battery and up to 82 km (51 miles) of electric driving. It can also tow up to 1,500 kg.

6th-Gen CR-V Recalls

The big recall on this generation is for sticky steering, which covers most 2023 to 2025 CR-Vs. Hybrid owners should also check the fuel pump and tire-repair-kit campaigns.

Model years	Campaign	What's affected
2023–2025	NHTSA 24V744000	Steering gearbox spring preload is too high, which can make the steering feel sticky. Dealers fit a new spring and grease.
2023–2025 Hybrid	NHTSA 24V763000	High-pressure fuel pump can crack and leak fuel, raising the risk of a fire.
2023–2026 Hybrid, 2025–2026 e:FCEV	NHTSA 26V366000	The cap on the tire-repair-kit sealant bottle can come off with force and injure someone.
2023–2026 Hybrid, e:FCEV	NHTSA 26V663000	Re-recall of some vehicles already repaired under 26V366000.
2023 Hybrid	NHTSA 24V745000	A high-voltage battery terminal or busbar can break and spark. Affects a small number of cars.
2023 Hybrid	NHTSA 23V588000	The hybrid transmission may have been built improperly, causing a loss of drive power. Affects a small number of cars.
2023	NHTSA 23V092000	Front passenger seat-back frame may be poorly welded. Affects a small number of cars.
2024	NHTSA 24V508000	Tires may be missing the date code required by federal rules.

Notable campaigns only, not a full list. Recall repairs are free at a Honda dealer. Check your own car’s VIN with NHTSA (US) or Transport Canada (Canada).

6th-Gen CR-V Safety Ratings by Region

The sixth-gen CR-V scores well in most crash tests. However, the IIHS’s tougher updated moderate overlap test, which checks the rear seat, rated it Poor.

Region	Program	Rating	What it means
United States	NHTSA	★★★★★ overall	Five stars overall for 2024 to 2026 and the 2023 AWD model: 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover. The 2023 FWD model has no overall rating.
United States	IIHS	TSP+ (2023), TSP (2024)	Good in the small overlap, updated side and headlight tests, but Poor in the updated moderate overlap test because of rear-passenger protection.
Canada	NHTSA and IIHS	As above	Canada doesn’t run its own crash-star program, so Canadian buyers use the US results.
Europe	Euro NCAP	★★★★ (2024)	Adult occupant 85%, child occupant 86%, vulnerable road users 76% and safety assist 67% for the standard car. Cars with the Honda SENSING 360 pack get five stars.
Australia, New Zealand	ANCAP	★★★★ (2024)	Adult occupant 88%, child occupant 88%, vulnerable road users 76% and safety assist 68%. The rating runs until December 2030.

Ratings apply only to the body style and model years tested, and older scores are not comparable with today's tests.

Awards change every year. The IIHS makes its tests tougher regularly, so a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ isn’t the same as a 2026 award.

Buying a Used 6th-Gen CR-V

The sixth-gen CR-V is one of the safest bets in the class, and Consumer Reports rates 2024-and-newer models as more reliable than average. Still, a few things are worth checking.

Recalls first. Run the VIN and make sure the sticky-steering fix (24V744000) is done. On hybrids, also check the fuel pump and tire-repair-kit recalls.
Hybrid or gas. The hybrid gets about 10 mpg more and feels quicker in town, but it tows 1,000 lb instead of 1,500 lb and has a little less cargo space.
Try the tech. Owners report CarPlay and Android Auto dropouts and blank screens, so pair your phone on the test drive. Remember that 2023–2025 base trims have a smaller screen and wired phone connection.
Other owner complaints. Consumer Reports owner comments mention A/C leaks, a fluttering hood at highway speed and weak 12-volt batteries, so check the climate system and ask about service history.

Rear view of a Radiant Red Metallic 2023 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD

Our picks

Best overall: 2026+ Sport Hybrid
Best value: EX with the 1.5 turbo
Best for dirt roads: TrailSport Hybrid

Think twice

Any car with the steering recall still open
A hybrid with open fuel-pump work
The Sport Touring if you need maximum cargo space

Other CR-V Generations

The sixth-gen CR-V is the newest one. Jump back to the fifth generation, or see all six.

6th-Gen CR-V FAQ

What years is the sixth-gen Honda CR-V?

In the US, the sixth-generation CR-V covers the 2023 model year to today. It went on sale in fall 2022, and the 2026 update added the TrailSport and more standard tech.

What mpg does the 2023–2027 CR-V Hybrid get?

The EPA rates it at 43 city, 36 highway and 40 combined with FWD, 37 combined with AWD and 35 combined for the TrailSport. The gas 1.5 turbo with FWD gets 30 combined.

How much horsepower does the new CR-V have?

The 1.5-liter turbo makes 190 hp and 179 lb-ft. The hybrid makes 204 hp, and its electric motor delivers 247 lb-ft.

Is the CR-V TrailSport good off-road?

It’s fine for dirt and gravel. It has all-wheel drive and all-terrain tires, but no lift, so ground clearance stays at 8.2 inches like other AWD CR-Vs.

What is the CR-V e:FCEV?

A hydrogen fuel cell CR-V with a plug-in battery, built in Ohio and leased only in California from 2024. It’s rated at 270 miles of range, 29 of them on battery power alone.

Is the 2023 CR-V a safe car?

Yes. It got a 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and five stars overall from NHTSA in AWD form. However, the IIHS later rated its rear seat Poor in the tougher updated moderate overlap test.

Sources

Keep Exploring

See every CR-V generation side by side, or head back to the full Honda lineup.

Photo credits

Header image: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
Rear seats of a sixth-generation Honda CR-V…: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
Rear view of a gray 2023 Honda…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
Rear view of a Radiant Red Metallic…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.