Video: 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid surprised me with off-roading.
The compact SUV, which looks sturdy, adds an outdoor appeal to Honda’s top selling models.
- The 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport has a 35 mpg city/highway EPA rating.
- There is also an AWD standard.
The tough-looking 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport is a cloak with no anti-feeling opinions from a huge compact SUV.
With compact SUV sales surge in, the risk that top sellers (Toyota RAV4 and CR-V) take the natural risk: only family-friendly commuters. I can’t see anything here.
Like the Goldendoodle spiked collar, Trailsport’s aggressive trim says “it’s more than it’s eye-catching.”
That’s not entirely fair. To Goldendoodles. The overheating hypoallergenic hybrid dog is a playful, energetic fluff that represents the finest aspects of the lineage, a standard poodle and golden retriever.
The 2026 Honda CR-V will win the hybrid part to the right, but it’s not as good as the off-road standard Honda set with the 2026 Passport Trail Sport.
It’s not a contract breaker. That is an expected expectation.
Passport Trailsport has raised expectations for the Honda Off-Road SUV. The CR-V Trailsport has more off-road capabilities than the previous CR-V, but the trim level is more of an appearance package than an equipment upgrade.
Anyway, it sells like Goldendoodles in Montessori. Dog parking and soccer stadium parking are packed.
Why does the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport special?
The CR-V Trailsport is available only as an all-wheel drive hybrid. Fuel economy suffers from 2 mpg in city/highway driving combined with city/highway driving and non-trail sports AWD CR-V due to the extra weight and its capable all-terrain tires. However, it still deserves praise on a total of 35 mpg, 38 cities and 33 highways.
In addition to the handsome black orange “Trailsport” badges on the front and rear, external changes include a beauty silver front “low bumper garnish” so that you don’t mistake it for the front skid plate.
Interior changes include embroidered Trailsport headrests and seating with amber ambient lighting.
TrailSport also benefits from many changes made throughout this year’s CR-V line, including re-tug traction control.
TrailSport prices start at $38,800 and excludes a $1,395 destination fee.
Honda will build the CR-V Trailsport in Greensburg, Indiana.
Drive impressions
The CR-V Trailsport was surprisingly competent on a short off-road trail in Dusty Hills east of San Diego. This is a credit to the basic engineering of SUVs, as Trailsport does not have any special mechanical components except for the heavy-duty 18-inch continental all-terrain tires. The off-road courses offered by Honda were essentially a dusty field, but two notable exceptions are:
- The Drop-Off Hill has the left and right wheels of the CR-V temporarily hanging in the air. Trailsport’s Hill Descent Control managed safe descent brakes and traction control without touching the brake pedal.
- Metal rollers that simulate low towing conditions like mud and ice and remove all traction forces from one, two or three wheels. The all-wheel drive system and reprogrammed traction control system prevented the wheels from rotating, so the remaining wheels or wheels pulled the SUJV out of the obstacle.
On paved surfaces, deep grooved all-terrain tires slightly increase road noise, but are not enough to disrupt conversations. Even more noticeable, the drivetrain occasionally went uphill at around 50 mph, causing engine revving, then generated noise and vibration, which unexpectedly increased. It didn’t affect safety or speed, it was just amazing drivetrain noise.
2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid Key Function
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Hill descent control
- 18 inch Continental Cross Contact All Terrain Tire
- Unique wheels
- Cosmetics Bottom Bumper Garnish
- Grill and tailgate trail sports badge
What’s good?
Let’s be clear. Apart from the Zombie Apocalypse, TrailSport has more off-road capabilities than CR-V owners require. What’s more, “such as steel skid plates) increase prices and disproportionately reduce fuel economy to the value the owner receives.
Still, I love the huge change that TrailSport badges have been delivered to my ’26 passport. I hate seeing badges mean diluted when they start gaining traction in a world competing with vehicles like the Ford Bronco Sports Sasquatch.
Why buy the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid?
The CR-V happened to not become the second most sold non-picking in America. It’s a great vehicle and the Hybrid is its best model.
Trailsport’s handsome black trim, orange badges, beef wheels and tires are visually outstanding, especially with ash green metallic paint. This is the ash green metallic paint from my test vehicle.
Combined with upgrades to the entire 2026 CR-V model line, including Ritun Structure Control, a larger instrument cluster, available 9-inch touchscreen, wireless car play, and Android Auto, the CR-V Trailsport promises to be a powerful addition to the already crazy, popular model line.
Please contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Please read more Auto And sign up for us Automotive Newsletter. Become a subscriber.
