Honda's 2026 CR-V TrailSport Hybrid CUV is a top seller in its class and is reasonably priced

As the most popular compact CUV on the market, Honda CR-V’s can be seen everywhere. In my block-long neighborhood alone, there are three. And a local hospital has a fleet of them as couriers. The CR-V has been the best-selling CUV over the last 2 years and in 2024, sold over 400,000 of them. 

For 2026, CR-V is offered in LX, EX, EX-L, Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. We were privileged to test the AWD TrailSport Hybrid that differs a bit from the standard CR-V as it has 8-inch wide, Continental 235/60R18 all-terrain tires. Couple those with an 8.1-inch ground clearance and CR-V can handle modest snow depths and mild off-roads. 

Our test car came with the new Ash Green paint that gives it a go-anywhere appearance. And CR-V’s exterior also boasts of a rugged, chiseled styling. Its back end has a sporty, racy touch with rectangular tailpipe extensions. 

On the stylish interior, and after a low 19-inch step-in, the heated front seats are supple, supportive and comfy. I liked that Honda put the heated steering switch at the bottom of the steering wheel. A most logical place that more carmakers should mimic instead of having to search for one secreted elsewhere in the cockpit. 

CR-Vs dash offers a 9-inch touchscreen that serves a multitude of functions including rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity and more. Below it are large rotary and touch sensitive, HVAC controls that are easy to view and use. 

The console houses the gear selector for the CVT automatic transmission that’s supplemented with paddle shifters. It shares the space with a phone charger and drive mode toggle switch for Sport, Normal, Econ and Snow modes. 

Over on the 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster, it too serves several functions including selected drive modes, alerts, functions and other driver information. 

Back in the nicely padded, comfy rear seat, it can actually seat three youngsters as the transaxle hump is even with the floor thanks to the CR-Vs hybrid system. It offers impressive leg room and ample headroom for two adults with wide opening doors for easy ingress/egress. 

In the spacious cargo area, and with the second-row seats upright, there’s 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 30.5 inches deep. Flip the second row and cargo loading depth increases to 76.5 cubic feet for 72 inches of loading depth. Lift-over onto the cargo floor is a low 27.5 inches. For a compact CUV, CR-V has an impressive amount of cargo space. 

CR-V TrailSport Hybrid gets its grunt from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that generates 204-hp and 247 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage ratings of 38 city, 33-highway mpg. So powered, CR-V has responsive low-end acceleration and in Sport mode, it’s quicker and has no trouble passing 18-wheelers. It has power to go when needed. And its hybrid system offers a smooth transition. 

CR-V also handles nicely, parks easily and rides smoothly. Its suspension absorbs the nasties and railroad crossings and turns them into mere blips. 

For an AWD hybrid CUV, CR-V is modestly priced. The TrailSport tested carried a base price of $38,800 and includes an exhaustive list of safety functions and features such as rear cross traffic alert, vehicle stability assist, collision mitigation system, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic jam assist, driver attention monitor and more. Added to this it came with a sunroof, tire pressure monitoring system, heated exterior power mirrors, tire repair kit and a multitude of other features. The only extra cost option was for the special Ash Green paint ($455) that took the bottom line to a reasonable $40,650 with delivery. For that you’re getting a lot of CUV for the money. It’s an especially competitive price especially since the average price of a new car today is $50K plus change. 
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The number of CR-Vs on the road is a valid testament to the quality, value, popularity and economy of this all-weather, AWD vehicle. Take one for a test drive and I assure you you’ll agree.