2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Receives the Rugged TrailSport Treatment
- The 2026 Honda CR-V finally gets the off-road-oriented TrailSport treatment.
- Only available with the CR-V’s hybrid powertrain, the TrailSport trim features more rugged styling cues and all-terrain tires.
- The rest of the CR-V lineup receives new standard features, from the base model’s larger touchscreen to the top trim’s Google built-in software.
The Honda CR-V is one of our favorite compact SUVs, and a lot of people seem to agree. Not only has the CR-V made our 10Best list three years straight, but it’s also the bestselling Honda in America. For 2026, the CR-V receives some updates, including finally getting the popular TrailSport treatment.
Meet the CR-V TrailSport
Honda recently revealed the fourth-generation Passport, which was designed with the rugged TrailSport in mind. Along with unique visual elements, the Passport TrailSport has revised suspension tuning, underbody skid plates, prominent front tow points, and knobby all-terrain tires. While the CR-V TrailSport doesn’t have any of that hardware, it does have a notable wheel-and-tire upgrade. It rolls on a set of Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrains. They’re not as gnarly as the Passport TrailSport’s rubber, but they should provide more grip on loose surfaces than the CR-V’s standard all-seasons.
The CR-V TrailSport also has exclusive 18-inch gray wheels with recessed valve stems for better protection from off-road obstacles. And the TrailSport differs from the rest of the herd with its orange TrailSport badges and gloss-black door handles, window trim, and rear spoiler. Plus, it has silver trim on the rear bumper that matches the front’s faux chin guard. The CR-V TrailSport is available in Ash Green Metallic paint (pictured here), which debuted on the Passport.
The 2026 CR-V represents Honda’s first-ever hybrid TrailSport, and that’s the only powertrain choice. It makes the same 204 horsepower as other CR-V hybrids. Honda also tweaked the all-wheel-drive system for 2026 to improve off-road performance at low speeds. Below 9 mph, the car’s traction control will detect slippage under braking force and transfer power to the wheels with grip. Since this applies to every all-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid, the TrailSport’s tires are its only performance difference.
Because the TrailSport is based on the CR-V Sport, the seats are cloth, and Honda tells us this is the first CR-V to have both cloth seats and a power tailgate. The front headrests have TrailSport logos embroidered on them, matching the logos in the standard all-weather floor mats. Even though the CR-V doesn’t get amber daytime running lights like the Passport TrailSport, it does receive amber ambient lighting in the cabin. The TrailSport also includes the new 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sunroof. In the CR-V Sport, you get a 240-watt sound system with six speakers; the TrailSport has a 320-watt sound system with eight speakers.
What Else Is New for 2026?
For 2026, the CR-V’s entry-level LX trim benefits from new standard features. Its old 7.0-inch touchscreen has been replaced with a larger 9.0-inch unit that has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. CR-V owners with compatible smartphones can also charge without plugging in, as a wireless charging pad is now standard across the lineup. Higher trim levels like the EX-L, Sport-L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring have a new 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster.
The new model year also brings changes to the top-dog Sport Touring model. Most notably, the infotainment system adopts Google’s built-in software for the first time on a CR-V. This allows access to things like Google Maps and Google Assistant without the need to connect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The new software also has the Google Play Store, meaning owners can download additional apps directly to their car. Sport Touring models receive an exclusive Individual drive mode that enables customizable settings.
While Honda hasn’t yet released pricing for the 2026 CR-V lineup, we expect the nonhybrid model to start at around $32K, with the hybrid variant likely starting at about $37K. Honda says the compact SUV will arrive at dealerships soon.
