2026 Honda CR-V Updated, TrailSport & Sport Touring Unveiled!
The CR-V gets rowdy
With some of the best sales numbers in the segment, the Honda CR-V is already wildly popular, but there's always room for improvement. One of the issues some had with the CR-V was its lack of off-road capability. Sure, it's in a class that is not meant for serious off-road athleticism, but even for light off-highway journeys, the CR-V never shines.
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2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport
Honda has recently proven that it can take a soft-roader, like the Passport or Pilot, and make it capable of mid-level off-roading. That's especially true for the all-new, upcoming CR-V, which has one of the most advanced all-wheel drive (AWD) systems on a crossover. In its 'TrailSport' guise, Honda sprinkled some rugged-looking garnish and a new Ash Green Metallic paint, bringing an off-road upgrade to the SUV complete with the swagger of an adventurer.
The base model 2026 Honda CR-Vs come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). These models are available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The hybrid model comes with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine connected to two electric motors for a combined output of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Honda hasn't released the EPA numbers, but it expects the totals to be very close to the 2025 models, with the exception of the TrailSport, given its heavier, larger tires.
What's new for 2026?
All 2026 CR-Vs get a larger 9-inch touchscreen with wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The higher EX-L, Sport-L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring trims also get a bigger 10.2-inch full-digital instrument display. There are three turbo non-hybrid trims: LX, EX, and EX-L, while the four hybrid trims include Sport Hybrid, the new TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and the range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid.
Honda has also beefed up the traction management system in its AWD models, allowing all of them to better tackle the dirt regardless of whether they're the new TrailSport or not.
2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport
What is the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid?
Honda has finally added the TrailSport name to the 2026 CR-V, and it looks pretty cool. Honda says they improved off-road performance in all of the new AWD CR-V models, including the new TrailSport Hybrid. This improvement, called 'Real Time All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Control,' shoves even more torque to the wheel that has grip, so even if two wheels are suspended, power will go to the two that remain on terra firma. This is based on the traction control system working with the braking system to halt the spinning, ineffective wheel and allow power to the one that has traction.
And yes, you can only get the TrailSport trim with the hybrid powertrain. I have a feeling that, if the take rate is high, Honda may build a non-hybrid version as well.
2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport
The TrailSport also benefits from Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires (235/60R18). I've off-roaded the Pilot TrailSport with a similar tire, and they were remarkably competent. It worked well in soft sand, mud, and on the highway.
The rest of the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport mainly gets special paint, trim, and some interior upgrades. The uniquely styled front fascia with a plastic silver skid garnish gives it that rugged off-road look manufacturers have been going for, along with a piano black rear spoiler and black door handles. All the window surrounds are blacked out as well, and orange TrailSport badges grace the grille and tailgate. The unique and macho-looking 18-inch wheels are coated in Shark Gray paint, which pairs well with the aforementioned exclusive Ash Green Pearl paint.
2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport
The interior trim is lined with the same orange-colored stitching and piping as the badge, while the front seats have 'TrailSport' stitched into the headrests, with similarly styled floor mats. Even the seatbelts carry that orange color. Some of the materials, including the seating material, are also unique. According to Honda, there is amber ambient lighting in the footwells, overhead console, door handle pocket, door tray, and cup-holders.
The 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring keeps things on the pavement
2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring —
Source: James Riswick
Unlike the rugged-looking TrailSport, the Sport Touring has a slightly more urban and luxurious feel to it, which is one of the reasons it's at the top of the lineup. Aside from a leather interior and unique 19-inch wheels, the Sport Touring gets an 'Individual' drive mode setting. This allows for more customization of characteristics like throttle response and steering assist, through saving the driver's choices, as opposed to only selecting from preset drive mode settings. Sport Touring models also get a unique screen with Google built-in and a complimentary three-year data plan, as well as a Bose Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers.
Final thoughts
The 2026 CR-V will arrive at dealers this spring, but pricing, EPA numbers, and a few other details have yet to be announced. In terms of pricing, we do know that Honda is placing the CR-V TrailSport between the Sport Hybrid and the Sport L Hybrid. If we are to use the 2025 models as a gauge, it looks like it will be somewhere under the Sport L Hybrid's $37,650. That's provided that all of the pricing stays about the same for the 2026 model.
I am very curious to see if Honda managed to make the CR-V TrailSport something special. Sure, it won't be as capable as their Passport TrailSport, but I suspect it will be much better than the current CR-Vs. I just hope it's as fun to drive as it looks.
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