2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport First Drive: Rugged Vibe, Hybrid Drive

The 2026 Honda CR-V entered its sixth generation in 2023, and this year gets a significant refresh. This includes the addition of a TrailSport trim available only with the hybrid powertrain. This first-ever TrailSport hybrid, priced at $40,195 (including a $1,395 destination charge), is a Honda through and through. It’s reliable, practical, and now sports a dash of rugged flair with enhanced all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and bold orange accents inside and out.

As America’s best-selling crossover since its introduction way back in 1997, the CR-V knows its audience and stays true to its roots. Honda flew us out to Carlsbad, California, for a one-day drive that included plenty of pavement, from highways to twisting side roads, along with a bit of light off-roading. There are lots of changes for 2026, but what hasn’t changed is the CR-V’s ability to deliver a smooth, comfortable, and relaxing ride.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport First Impressions: A Crossover With An Attitude

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport rolls up looking like it’s ready for a weekend in the woods, with faux skid plates giving it a rugged edge. Don’t miss the faux part of that statement. It looks cool, but the skid plate garnishes are only for show, not tackling the Rubicon Trail. If you do try that, then please let us know because we’d like to see your attempt.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Exterior Dimensions

Finished in trim-exclusive Ash Green Metallic with 18-inch Shark Gray wheels and chunky all-terrain tires, the TrailSport has a trail-ready vibe. Gloss black door handles and LED headlights add a little finesse to the look. The fit and finish are tight, with no creaks or gaps, making it an attractive SUV. It’s not hardcore off-road styling. Instead, it’s just enough to make it more bold without making you look ridiculous rolling into the grocery store parking lot.

Driving Impressions And Performance: Smooth Comfort On Any Terrain

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport easily accelerated to highway speeds with a minimum of noise. The transmission is smooth and does its job nicely, unnoticed in the background. Of the four available drive modes (Sport/Normal/Econ/Snow), we found Normal ideal for most driving. Flip it to Sport on winding side roads for a bit more fun.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Technical Specifications

A modest off-road course was easy to traverse, but with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, it’s not a hardcore off-roader. Think dirt roads to the family cabin, not rock crawling. If you need more capability, the larger Passport is your best bet. The ride upholds Honda’s reputation for building comfortable vehicles with smooth, well-mannered rides that stay quiet enough for your kids or sleepy co-pilot to nap without a fuss.

Braking was confident, with 12.6-inch front and 12.2-inch rear discs stopping the CR-V smoothly, even in mock panic stops. Steering was crisp and responsive, with a suspension system that soaked up the bumps and stayed composed even over patches of rough pavement. Off-road, hill descent control made steep slopes a breeze, proving this SUV a family-friendly adventurer that makes getting to that remote cabin easy.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Fuel Economy

The EPA rates the TrailSport at 38/33/35 MPG (city/highway/combined), which are solid figures for an all-wheel drive crossover. Our one day of driving in very controlled scenarios wasn’t enough to accurately assess real-world fuel economy. Once we have a week with the vehicle, we’ll have a true approximation.

Interior Design And Comfort: A Comfortable Cruiser

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport’s cabin gets bright pops of color with orange stitching on the seats and the TrailSport logo embroidered on the front headrests. Orange, burnt amber, brass, or whatever they want to call it seems to be the go-to for off-road trims from automakers. It’s like waving a little flag that screams “Adventure!” the same way red accents are the norm on performance cars. The front seats are plush yet supportive, so you step out feeling fresh after a long drive, not like a cat in need of a good stretch after an afternoon nap.

Rear seats boast 41 inches of legroom, so there’s decent space for adults, even on longer drives. Honda avoids that plastic fantastic vibe that can make a great SUV feel meh by adding lots of different textures and bright accents that make the cabin attractive.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Interior Dimensions

Dual-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable, and active noise cancellation keeps things hushed, though the all-terrain tires add a slight hum on highways. The nine-inch touchscreen and wireless charger are easy to use and, combined with wireless smartphone connectivity, avoid a tangled nest of cords on the center console. This cabin is a practical haven with a dash of adventure.

Technology And Ease Of Use: Great Features, But One Downside

The TrailSport’s nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, two inches larger than last year’s model, has sharp graphics and no lag, making menu-hopping a breeze. It still feels a little small, however, in a world where touchscreens are getting larger by the day. It doesn’t need to be the dashboard-spanning screen found in some vehicles, but a little bigger would be a lot better. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the wireless charging pad is well-placed so my phone stayed put even off-road. There’s a nice, large 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, which is just the right size.

The eight-speaker, 320-watt audio system was solid, if not audiophile-grade. You cannot, unfortunately, upgrade to a premium 12-speaker Bose system available on other CR-V trims. It’s a comprehensive system that doesn’t go overboard with features no one will ever use and instead keeps it simple and user-friendly.

Cargo And Storage Space: Room For Everything, Big And Small

The TrailSport packs 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, ballooning to 76.5 cubic feet with those seats folded. Loading is easy with a flat load floor, but the lack of a hands-free tailgate is a bummer at this price. The 60/40 split seats fold flat with just one hand to handle everything from groceries to camping gear. Storage nooks include the center console and door pockets. There are also small storage spots inside the cargo area for little stuff. Room for large cargo is always great, but room for all the random smaller things you need at the ready is also key, especially for families.

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Cargo Capacity

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport vs. Its Competitors

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport takes on rugged compact SUVs like the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Woodland and Subaru Forester Wilderness, both built for light off-roading and family life. The CR-V’s hybrid efficiency is its strong point, but competitors are stronger on towing and off-road chops.

How The Honda CR-V TrailSport Compares To The Toyota RAV4 Woodland

The TrailSport is a light off-road trim of the CR-V, much like the Woodland is a light off-road trim of the RAV4. Both are two-row crossovers with similar features, but the CR-V offers only a hybrid while the RAV4 offers both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Performance

The CR-V delivers strong performance, but it’s not sporty. It gets up to speed easily and handles well, but its focus is on a smooth ride that delivers plenty of comfort for passengers. The RAV4 is all-new, so no drive impressions are available just yet, but it likely offers comparable performance, but with the bonus of that plug-in hybrid engine, which could offer stronger performance.

Comfort

The CR-V offers 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded, beating the RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet, making it better for hauling bulky items. The CR-V also has more rear legroom. Both have more modest interiors than other trims in their lineups, with premium features like leather seats reserved for higher trim levels.

Technology

The CR-V’s nine-inch touchscreen comes up short against the RAV4 Woodland’s 10.9-inch touchscreen. Features are comparable, like offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with wireless charging, but that larger touchscreen gives the RAV4 the edge.

How The Honda CR-V TrailSport Compares To The Subaru Forester Wilderness

Again, these are the off-road light trims of both models. The CR-V TrailSport’s 35 MPG trumps the Forester Wilderness with its 26 MPG rating for road trips, but the Forester’s 9.3-inch ground clearance outshines the CR-V’s 8.2 inches for off-roading.

Performance

The CR-V’s 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque outpower the Forester which has only 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While power might not be its strength, the Forester’s 3,500-pound towing capacity crushes the CR-V’s 1,000 pounds.

Comfort

The CR-V offers a more comfortable ride than the Forester Wilderness, with softer, plush seats and a quieter cabin that keeps road noise low, perfect for long drives. The Forester’s StarTex seats are tough for outdoor adventures, but feel firmer and its boxy design creates more wind noise, with a stiffer ride from its off-road suspension.

Technology

The CR-V’s nine-inch touchscreen is sharp and fast, outshining the Forester’s larger 11.6-inch display, which is bigger but feels sluggish due to its older software. Both feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Forester system just looks and feels old compared to what is offered in the CR-V.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport is a Honda at heart. It’s reliable, efficient, and has a rugged flair that makes it a standout for families and weekend warriors. Its 38/33/35 MPG, cozy cabin, and light off-road ability make it a steal at $40,195. Those orange accents and cord-free tech are winners. But, if you want a power tailgate or leather, the EX-L ($38,295 AWD) is a smarter buy. Skip the LX for missing key features like blind-spot monitoring. Compared to the RAV4 Woodland and Forester Wilderness, the CR-V shines for efficiency and space, though it lags in towing. Our one-day test proved it’s a versatile SUV that families with a sense of adventure are sure to love.