2026 Honda CR-V Gets Smarter and Tougher With New TrailSport

The Honda CR-V remains a perennial favorite among family SUVs and continues to be Honda’s best-selling vehicle in America. Even as the Honda Civic maintains its own strong following, the CR-V leads the brand’s lineup in sales. The current generation, which debuted just a couple of years ago, grew slightly in size and adopted a more mature, cohesive design—moving away from the quirkier styling of its predecessors.

Honda has also leaned heavily into electrification, with more than half of all CR-Vs sold now being hybrid models. For 2026, the CR-V receives a mild refresh that enhances standard equipment across trims and introduces a new off-road-oriented TrailSport variant to the lineup.

Drivetrain Upgrades: Minimal But Important

The 2026 Honda CR-V continues to offer trim-dependent powertrains. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Stepping up to the Sport L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring trims brings Honda’s fourth-generation hybrid system, which combines a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor for a refined balance of power and efficiency. The Sport Touring model also adds an Individual driving mode, allowing the driver to customize settings like throttle response and steering assist for a more personalized driving experience.

Honda has also refined the traction management system. When one of a pair of wheels (front or rear) begins to slip, the system automatically transfers driving force to the wheel with grip while applying braking to the slipping wheel. It’s not true torque vectoring, but it’s an effective tool when conditions turn slick or uneven.

New Trim Level: The First CR-V Trailsport

Before anyone gets too excited, the CR-V TrailSport is, at its core, an appearance package wrapped around a set of all-terrain tires and rubber floor mats. And when we say “appearance,” we mean it. Straight from the press release: “CR-V TrailSport Hybrid features a more ruggedly styled front fascia with a silver skid garnish, a piano black rear spoiler, black door handles and window surrounds, and orange TrailSport badges on the grille and tailgate.”

Notice the phrasing — not a silver skid plate, but a silver skid garnish. That’s a new one for us, and we’ve read enough press releases to spot when marketing spin is trying to make something sound tougher than it really is. It’s especially disappointing because Honda put genuine engineering effort into the Pilot TrailSport, which gained a one-inch suspension lift, steel skid plates, and even a clever setup for carrying a full-size spare.

Inside, the CR-V TrailSport adds amber ambient lighting in the footwells, overhead console, door-handle pockets, door trays, and cupholders — complementing the TrailSport logos embroidered on the seats. Outside, there’s at least a visual win in the form of Ash Green Metallic, a new paint color exclusive to this trim.

While all of this is pleasant enough, it’s hard not to feel like Honda missed an opportunity. The CR-V TrailSport could have followed in the Pilot’s tire tracks and offered real off-road substance, not just surface-level swagger.

Honda Passport Trailsport

When Honda introduced the TrailSport trim on the Passport, it didn’t just dress the SUV up for adventure — it gave it genuine off-road credibility. Standard equipment included off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, and thick steel skid plates to protect vital components on rough terrain. The tow hooks are rated to support twice the vehicle’s body weight, and rock rails can even be added as an option.

It’s not trying to be a Jeep Wrangler, but it delivers 100% of the off-road capability that 95% of drivers will ever need. Which makes it all the more puzzling that Honda didn’t take the same approach with the CR-V TrailSport. Yes, the Passport costs more, but Honda could have included even a fraction of those upgrades here without driving the price up significantly — and it would have gone a long way toward justifying the TrailSport badge.

Toyota RAV4 TRD

The most popular SUV in the U.S., the Toyota RAV4, has been available in TRD Off-Road trim for a while now — and it remains an excellent product. Enhancements over the standard model include added body protection, all-terrain tires, and TRD-tuned shocks. It could use another inch of ground clearance for truly rocky terrain, but Toyota’s Dynamic Torque-Vectoring All-Wheel-Drive system makes light work of everything else, giving it a real advantage when the pavement ends.

The New Subaru Forester Wilderness

Subaru’s Wilderness trim has been a smash hit, and the latest version—arriving later this year—looks like the best one yet. Subaru already equips most of its models with symmetrical all-wheel drive, but the Wilderness package goes further with increased ground clearance, longer-travel suspension, and extra differential cooling to keep everything running smoothly when the trail gets rough.

Conclusion: A Solid Little CR-V, But A Weak Trailsport Trim

We don’t yet have a price for the 2026 CR-V, but any increase should be minimal, as most CR-Vs are built or assembled in the U.S. Honda says it’ll arrive this spring—which isn’t far off. Currently, the CR-V starts at $30,100, already a bump over the previous generation. At that price, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay should arguably have been standard, but now they are, along with a larger touchscreen and an improved traction management system for foul weather. Those updates make the base model a stronger value proposition than before.

The TrailSport will only be available as a hybrid, with standard heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and moonroof, placing it higher in the lineup alongside the Sport-L Hybrid. However, with its only real off-road enhancement being a set of Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires, it’s not likely to draw serious off-road shoppers. For most buyers, keeping a set of all-terrain tires in the garage to swap on for winter will make more financial sense. After all, if your CR-V spends most of its life on pavement, regular all-season tires will last longer and cost less to replace.

2026 Honda CR-V: 32 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s new for the 2026 Honda CR-V?

The 2026 CR-V gets more standard features across all trims, updated technology, refreshed design details, and a new TrailSport model with off-road enhancements.

2. What is the Honda CR-V TrailSport?

The TrailSport is a rugged-themed trim designed for light off-roading, featuring unique suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, and exclusive styling accents.

3. Does the 2026 CR-V TrailSport have all-wheel drive?

Yes, all TrailSport models come standard with Honda’s Real Time AWD system for improved traction on rough or slippery terrain.

4. What engine options are available for the 2026 CR-V?

The 2026 CR-V continues with two powertrains: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 2.0-liter hybrid system offering better efficiency and torque.

5. Is the hybrid system available on the TrailSport?

Yes, the 2026 CR-V TrailSport uses the hybrid powertrain, combining efficiency with added low-end power for off-road performance.

6. How much horsepower does the 2026 CR-V produce?

The turbocharged engine produces around 190 hp, while the hybrid setup offers a combined output of about 204 hp.

7. Has Honda changed the transmission for 2026?

The 2026 CR-V continues with a CVT for the turbo engine and an e-CVT for the hybrid, both tuned for smoother response and better efficiency.

8. What new features come standard on the 2026 CR-V?

All trims now feature a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional driver-assistance systems.

9. Does the 2026 CR-V include wireless phone charging?

Yes, wireless charging is now standard or available on more trims than before, depending on configuration.

10. How big is the new touchscreen?

Most trims feature a 9-inch touchscreen, an upgrade over smaller displays on previous models.

11. What interior improvements are in the 2026 CR-V?

Honda upgraded materials, added better sound insulation, and improved seat comfort for long-distance driving.

12. Are there exterior design changes?

The 2026 model keeps the sleek SUV profile but gains revised bumpers, TrailSport-exclusive grille, skid plates, and new wheel designs.

13. How much ground clearance does the TrailSport have?

The TrailSport offers higher ground clearance than other trims, helping it handle light off-road trails with ease.

14. What kind of tires come with the TrailSport trim?

It comes fitted with all-terrain tires designed for dirt, gravel, and light off-road use while remaining comfortable on pavement.

15. Does the TrailSport CR-V have skid plates?

Yes, it features protective skid plates and orange TrailSport badging to differentiate it from other trims.

16. What safety features are standard on the 2026 CR-V?

Honda Sensing™ safety suite is standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation.

17. Are there any new driver-assist technologies?

Honda added improved lane-centering, updated adaptive cruise control logic, and traffic jam assist features.

18. What is the towing capacity of the 2026 CR-V?

The gas-powered CR-V can tow up to 1,500 pounds, while hybrid models can tow up to 1,000 pounds.

19. How fuel-efficient is the 2026 Honda CR-V?

The hybrid delivers up to 40 mpg combined, while the turbocharged version averages around 30 mpg combined.

20. How big is the cargo space?

The CR-V continues to offer class-leading cargo capacity with over 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76 cubic feet when folded.

21. Does the CR-V TrailSport have roof rails?

Yes, roof rails are standard on the TrailSport for added utility when carrying bikes, kayaks, or cargo boxes.

22. What trims are available for the 2026 CR-V?

Trims include LX, EX, EX-L, Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and the new TrailSport Hybrid.

23. What colors are available for the 2026 CR-V?

Honda offers a range of exterior colors, including new rugged tones exclusive to the TrailSport, like Canyon River Orange and Diffused Sky Blue.

24. What infotainment system does the CR-V use?

Honda’s latest Display Audio system with over-the-air updates and improved voice recognition is now standard.

25. How comfortable is the 2026 CR-V for long trips?

Improved seats, quieter cabin materials, and a refined suspension make it one of the most comfortable compact SUVs in its segment.

26. Does the TrailSport ride rougher than other trims?

The TrailSport suspension is tuned for mild off-road use but still provides a comfortable ride on pavement.

27. Is the 2026 CR-V good for families?

Yes, the CR-V remains a top choice for families, thanks to spacious seating, advanced safety, and generous cargo space.

28. What’s the warranty coverage for the 2026 CR-V?

Honda offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, with additional coverage for hybrid components.

29. When will the 2026 Honda CR-V go on sale?

The 2026 CR-V is expected to arrive at dealerships in mid to late 2025.

30. What is the starting price of the 2026 CR-V?

Pricing is expected to start around $31,000 for base models and about $38,000 for the TrailSport trim.

31. How does the CR-V compare to the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester?

The CR-V matches or exceeds competitors in comfort, hybrid performance, and reliability while adding new tech and off-road flair.

32. Why should buyers consider the 2026 CR-V TrailSport?

The TrailSport offers a great mix of comfort, style, and mild off-road capability—ideal for drivers who want adventure without sacrificing daily practicality.

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