Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the upcoming 6th-generation 2023 Honda CR-V is very close to being launched.

The quintessential Japanese C-Segment SUV now takes on bolder styling, and for the first time will offer a powerful (and stylish) hybrid e:HEV RS variant to jazz up proceedings.

Also read: All-new 2023 Honda CR-V: Dec launch, now with 2.0L hybrid, bookings open in Malaysia

The Honda CR-V also becomes the defacto flagship of the Honda Malaysia range, with the unfortunate discontinuation of the stalwart Honda Accord – thus, a lot is riding on Honda’s popular SUV.

Ahead of its launch, WapCar had the opportunity to sample the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V in Thailand and was pleasantly impressed with the 2023 CR-V’s overall performance and value proposition. We also noted our Top 5 favourite things about the Honda’s new SUV, listed here in order of ascending importance.

No. 5: One-Step reclining 2nd-row seats, now with sliding seat bottoms

The 2023 CR-V offers single-step reclining of the second-row seats, which adjusts the seat’s backrests and bottom in a single smooth step. Although its predecessor already offered reclining 2nd-row backrests, the 2023 CR-V offers even more flexibility because the seat bottom slides outwards just like a home massage chair would.

With superb thigh support and a much larger range of recline, the 2nd-row seats offer almost as much comfort and flexibility as current MPVs for passengers who might want to take a nap whilst on the road.

Also read: All-new Malaysian-spec 2023 Honda CR-V shows off its 184 PS/335 Nm hybrid unit in latest teaser

No. 4: 2nd-row Stadium Seating layout, so your kids will get less fidgety

Though it may not be immediately apparent from the photos, the 2nd-row seats of the 2023 CR-V are slightly elevated when compared to the front. This 'stadium seating' makes the rear quarters less claustrophobic and allows rear-seat passengers a better view of the surroundings.

Stadium seating is also effective in reducing the chance of car sickness over longer journeys, which makes the CR-V a superb choice for families with young passengers, or children that travel in child seats.

No. 3: Honda Sensing is better than ever - smoother braking, improved motorcycle detection

The all-new CR-V comes equipped with an upgraded Honda Sensing ADAS suite with a wide-angle radar, camera, and sonar sensor for improved performance. The driver-assistive suite now has a total of 9 Honda Sensing safety functions with the addition of Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) which reduces glare for oncoming drivers.

In addition to the new functionality, the updated camera and sonar sensors allow for impressive smoothness and speed control, especially at low speeds. For the driver, the fully digital instrument display even detects motorbikes and lorries and shows vehicles merging into your lane when ACC is enabled. The new updates ensure that Honda Sensing remains at the very top of the game when it comes to ADAS assistance features.

Also read: All-new 2023 Honda CR-V receives full 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, perfect side impact results

No 2: Make no mistake, this is the best-looking Honda CR-V ever!

Though the first-generation Honda CR-V will always hold a special place in our hearts, the all-new 2023 CR-V is quite possibly the most handsome of the lot. Crucially, because it looks very un-Honda-like, for lack of a better expression, instead highlighting visual cues that are closer to that of European and American SUVs.

Gone are the rounded proportions of its predecessors, in its place, bold angular proportions and muscular lines that run from front to back of the SUV. Courtesy of classy details and macho stance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for an Audi Q5 from afar – which is no bad thing.

No 1: The CR-V e:HEV is one firecracker of a hybrid with superb fuel economy

The 2023 CR-V will be offered for the first time with the 2.0-litre dual-motor i-MMD petrol-electric hybrid powertrain which outputs a combined 184 PS and 335 Nm of torque. Despite those numbers, the torquey powertrain is also claimed to offer superb fuel economy.

During our brief test drive, we found the new powertrain to offer strong and linear power delivery across a variety of driving conditions that included B-road driving and inner-city travel. Thus, whilst the powertrain is punchy and eager, the 2023 CR-V will also save you money at the pumps. 

Also read: Which all-new 2023 Honda CR-V is more popular among Filipinos? Hybrid or petrol?

Conclusion

Note, however, that the Thai-spec variants have minor differences in features compared to the variants the Malaysian market will receive, but for starters, first impressions of the 2023 CR-V are very good.

Following the announcement for order taking, the locally assembled (CKD) 2023 CR-V is slated for launch next month, our money is on it breaking cover in mid-December.

The new model is also expected to see a circa 10-15 percent increase in prices over its predecessor as seen in neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia.

To recap, these are the prices and range of the outgoing CR-V in Malaysia:

• CR-V 2.0 2WD – RM 146,900
• CR-V 1.5 TC-P 2WD – RM 165,800
• CR-V Black Edition – RM 170,400
• CR-V 1.5 TC-P 4WD – RM 171,400

Also, stay tuned for our initial driving impressions of the 2023 Honda CR-V 1.5L Turbo and 2.0L e:HEV variants coming up soon.