The all-new 2023 Honda CR-V arrives at US dealerships this week, and the 2023 CR-V Hybrid will join it next month. Not only is the CR-V Honda's highest volume model, but it's also the best-selling SUV over the last 25 years. CR-V production is currently underway, and Honda has an interesting strategy to make sure demand is met. Honda of Canada Manufacturing will act as the lead plant for the CR-V, having built the popular SUV since 2012. Production at Honda's Indiana Auto Plant and East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio will begin in the coming days.

"Becoming the global lead plant for the 2023 Honda CR-V was a big challenge, and I'm proud of our experienced team at Honda of Canada Manufacturing and the level of teamwork we had in North America to create this incredible new product for our customers," said Clement D'Souza, Senior Vice President of HCM. "Next up is the CR-V hybrid that is more important than ever to the CR-V lineup and a model we are very excited to deliver to our Canadian customers for the first time."

Canada will start building the CR-V Hybrid in October, as will the Indiana and Ohio plants. Honda believes the hybrid will represent 50% of sales for this latest-generation CR-V.

The gas-powered CR-V uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque going out through a CVT. Opting for the CR-V Hybrid brings the engine displacement up to a 2.0-liter, though it loses the turbo. But thanks to the two-motor hybrid system, the total output is higher at 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Better performance and superior fuel economy make the CR-V Hybrid a no-brainer, especially considering it only costs around $2,500 more.

Honda will offer the EX and EX-L trims with the turbocharged engine, starting at $31,110 and $33,760 respectively. All-wheel-drive costs an additional $1,500. The Sport and Sport Touring are hybrid-only, priced at $32,450 and $33,950.

Those slightly higher prices should easily be offset but the CR-V Hybrid's superior fuel economy, which is rated at 43/36/40 mpg city/highway/combined compared to 28/34/30 for the gas model.

Both models are longer and wider than the outgoing CR-V, offering more rugged and premium proportions. All three manufacturing plants employed new production strategies to accommodate these changes. For example, the new model's body is milled from a single piece of steel, meaning workers no longer have to disassemble a trial unit to find any fit and finish issues.

The CR-V also uses more high-performance structural adhesives to increase body rigidity and a new acoustic spray foam to improve cabin quietness.