Honda is giving its crossover lineup a rugged boost with the continued rollout of the TrailSport trim, previously seen on the three-row Pilot, off-road-ready Passport, and Ridgeline pickup. Now, for the 2026 model year, the TrailSport treatment arrives on the hybrid CR-V—though in a slightly tamer form. This version equips Honda’s popular compact SUV with all-terrain tires, a tougher exterior aesthetic, and an exclusive new paint color reserved just for this variant.
The TrailSport’s launch also aligns with a mid-cycle refresh for the entire CR-V lineup. Alongside the visual updates, expect upgraded tech features and refined powertrain tuning, making this already capable family SUV even more compelling. The result? A CR-V that’s ready for more than just the school run—without sacrificing the comfort, efficiency, and reliability it’s known for.
- Improved optional all-wheel drive
- Efficient powertrain
- Bigger touchscreen
Cons
- TrailSport trim only adds a little capability
- Hybrid engine prone to droning
- Middle-of-the-road styling
The CR-V TrailSport marks the TrailSport brand’s first foray into hybrid territory—but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to the rugged promise of its orange-badged siblings. While the addition of all-terrain tires and a silver plastic skid plate gives it a tougher look, the enhancements fall short of pushing the CR-V into true Jeep—or even Subaru—off-road territory.
Still, it’s not all disappointment. What the TrailSport may lack in trail-conquering chops, it makes up for by preserving what makes the CR-V a crowd favorite: strong fuel economy, comfortable road manners, and a refined interior. The knobby rubber adds a touch of adventurous flair without compromising efficiency or everyday drivability. It may not be a game-changer, but it does give the CR-V a bit more character. Here are our first impressions.
Note: First Drive events offer a limited glimpse into a vehicle’s performance, often in controlled environments and under tight time constraints. Stay tuned to Drivingonroad for our full Test Drive review, where we’ll dive deeper into how the vehicle performs in the real world.
What’s Changed For 2026
The 2026 Honda CR-V sees a handful of subtle updates that, while not transformative, will likely be appreciated by buyers. Across the lineup—from the base LX to the top-tier Sport Touring—a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen now comes standard, replacing the previous 7.0-inch unit. In addition, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster is newly available on EX-L, Sport-L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring trims, offering a more modern and premium feel behind the wheel. Lower trims like the LX, EX, and Sport continue with the familiar 7.0-inch gauge display, but even so, the tech upgrades give the refreshed CR-V a welcome touch of contemporary refinement.
As before, Honda offers the 2026 CR-V with two powertrain options: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder for the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and a 2.0-liter two-motor hybrid system for the Sport, Sport-L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring models. Visual updates are subtle but effective—some trims receive new wheel designs, while all hybrid variants now feature gloss black window surrounds that complement their Sport branding, including black wheels, mirror caps, and badging. The result is a slightly more aggressive, cohesive look that sets the hybrids apart without going over the top.
New for 2026, Honda has upgraded the all-wheel-drive system on CR-V models equipped with it, adding smarter software tuning that enables a simulated rear differential lock at low speeds. This enhancement helps the CR-V power through slippery conditions—even when only one wheel has traction. To showcase the improvement, Honda ran a side-by-side demo: a 2025 CR-V placed on rollers with just one rear wheel touching the ground couldn’t move. But in the same scenario, the 2026 model managed to pull itself forward—even with only a single front or rear wheel finding grip. It’s a subtle but meaningful upgrade that gives the CR-V a little more muscle where it counts.
The all-wheel-drive upgrades apply across the entire 2026 CR-V lineup—not just the TrailSport. Still, the TrailSport trim brings its own functional edge thanks to standard all-terrain tires, giving it a bit more credibility off the pavement. Visually, it stands out with silver-painted simulated skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, plus a handful of orange TrailSport badges that add a rugged flair. Inside, you’ll find the TrailSport logo embroidered in orange on the front headrests, reinforcing the adventurous theme.
In terms of equipment, the TrailSport is nicely positioned: it comes standard with a power tailgate, heated front seats and steering wheel, and rear USB-C charging ports, placing it squarely between the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims in the CR-V hierarchy. It’s a thoughtful blend of form, function, and everyday comfort—with just enough trail-ready attitude.
Exterior Design: Slightly Tougher, Still Cute
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The TrailSport package doesn’t disrupt the CR-V’s understated charm—in fact, the chunky all-terrain tires and Berlina Black wheels add a welcome touch of character. It’s a subtle transformation that gives the SUV a bit more personality without straying far from its practical roots. Still, these modest visual tweaks don’t quite elevate the CR-V to “must-have” status. As always, this is a maturely styled crossover—not one to stir deep desire, but likely to age gracefully and stay appealing for years to come. And if you’re taken by the new Ash Green Metallic paint (we are), you’ll need to choose the TrailSport—it’s the only trim that offers this exclusive color.
Interior: A Grab Bag Of Features
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Step inside the 2026 CR-V, and things feel reassuringly familiar—in a good way. The cabin remains spacious, thoughtfully laid out, and ergonomically sound, with the stylish mesh dashboard trim carried over from the Civic adding a modern touch. The TrailSport builds on this solid foundation with a generous list of standard features borrowed from higher trims, including a power tailgate and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Unique to the TrailSport is orange-accented ambient lighting, which adds just enough visual flair to remind you you’re in the adventure-ready version.
That said, the TrailSport doesn’t get everything. You’ll have to step up to the Sport Touring trim for extras like rain-sensing wipers, a proximity-sensing hands-free tailgate, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. So if those finer touches matter to you, be prepared to spend a bit more to land your ideal CR-V.
Infotainment: Steady Improvements
New for the 2026 Honda CR-V, every trim now comes standard with wireless smartphone mirroring and wireless charging, making it easier than ever to hop in and drive with your phone seamlessly connected. Once paired, the setup feels effortless—no need to fumble with cables or settings. As before, Honda’s infotainment system is refreshingly easy to navigate, intuitive enough that the Sport Touring’s standard Google built-in integration feels almost redundant. It’s smart, but maybe not essential.
Powertrain & Driving: Perfectly Average
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Like much of the CR-V’s personality, the 2026 model’s driving experience remains pleasant, predictable, and largely uneventful—neither exhilarating nor frustrating. The two-motor hybrid system, unchanged since the 2023 model, still delivers a combined 203 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, numbers that sound solid on paper for a compact crossover. But in practice, performance feels more relaxed than lively.
Instead of a traditional transmission, the hybrid system uses a setup where the gas engine mainly serves as a generator for the battery, with one electric motor dedicated to propulsion and another handling energy generation. With just 1.1 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, the engine has to fire up frequently to maintain charge—and when it does, it can sound coarse and unrefined, particularly under load. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does detract from what’s otherwise a smooth, efficient, and inoffensive driving experience.
2026 Honda CR-V Engine Options |
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| Gas-only | Hybrid | ||
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| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder | Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid | |
| Transmission | Continuously variable (ICE) or E-CVT (hybrid) | ||
| Drivetrain | Front- or all-wheel drive | ||
| Power | 190 hp | 203 hp | |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft | 247 lb-ft | |
| 0-60 | 8.2 seconds (est.) | 8.0 seconds (est.) | |
| Fuel Economy | 28/33/30 mpg – FWD | 43/36/40 mpg – FWD | |
| 27/31/29 mpg – AWD | 40/34/37 mpg – AWD | ||
| 38/33/35 mpg – TrailSport | |||
There’s still enough grunt to climb steep grades without breaking a sweat, and the CR-V handles highway passes on two-lane roads with minimal fuss. But the real drawback is the Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine’s soundtrack—its coarse, droning note becomes tiring fast, especially under sustained load. Fortunately, the ride quality helps redeem the experience. The CR-V remains smooth and composed over rough pavement, and when the engine isn’t working hard—or shuts off entirely—the cabin is pleasantly quiet and well-insulated.
Better still, Honda’s trademark light, accurate steering and confident handling are alive and well here, even in the TrailSport, despite its chunkier all-terrain tires. It’s not sporty, but it’s composed, predictable, and refreshingly easy to drive—exactly what most buyers want.
Impressively, the TrailSport trim doesn’t take a major hit in fuel economy despite its all-terrain tires. It returns an estimated 38 mpg city, 33 highway, and 35 combined, compared to the 40/34/37 mpg ratings of other all-wheel-drive CR-V hybrids. Still, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 Woodland Edition—which takes a similar “rugged looks, same hybrid guts” approach—manage to do slightly better, at 38 city, 35 highway, and 37 combined mpg.
If fuel efficiency is your top priority, your best bet remains the front-wheel-drive hybrid CR-V, which delivers an impressive 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined. The TrailSport may be a bit thirstier, but it still strikes a solid balance between added personality and everyday efficiency.
Verdict & Pricing: Hey, Big Spender
Here’s the hard truth—the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport doesn’t come cheap. It starts at $38,800, or $40,045 with destination, making it the priciest option among its direct rivals. That’s especially notable when compared to the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Woodland Edition, which delivers similar rugged styling with a hybrid powertrain for under $35,000—and that’s before the redesigned, hybrid-only 2026 RAV4 arrives.
The story continues with other competitors: the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek starts at $34,880, and the Hyundai Tucson XRT at $34,510—though neither offers a hybrid. Then there’s the upcoming 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, which is expected to be priced just below the TrailSport while offering more true off-road capability, thanks to a reworked AWD system and increased ground clearance.
So while the CR-V TrailSport maintains the SUV’s strengths—refinement, reliability, and efficiency—it comes at a premium. That might be a tough pill to swallow for buyers who prioritize rugged looks over actual rugged chops. If you’re drawn to the TrailSport’s attitude, just be prepared to pay extra for the badge and the bravado.
As a rugged compact crossover, the Honda CR-V TrailSport doesn’t offer the best value on paper—especially when more capable rivals, like the Subaru Forester Wilderness, are priced similarly or even lower. But for buyers already committed to the CR-V’s well-rounded package, the TrailSport makes a solid case. It injects some much-needed personality into the design, adds thoughtful interior upgrades that push it close to near-luxury territory, and carries virtually no real drawbacks beyond a slight drop in fuel economy and a steeper price tag. It may not be the most hardcore option out there, but we have a feeling this rugged-looking CR-V will find plenty of fans—and honestly, we get it.