ReviewsHonda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid Off-Road Review
The 2026 Honda CR-V gets a subtle refresh and a new TrailSport Hybrid trim. But is this serious hybrid crossover also a serious off-roader?

The Honda CR-V, one of North America’s most popular SUVs, has been enhanced for 2026 with numerous upgrades. But the most exciting news is the addition of an all-new Trailsport Hybrid model, combining rugged looks with exceptional fuel economy.
Honda’s practical, economical-to-own CR-V is one of the most popular SUVs in America, and there are good reasons why. It’s nice to look at, great to sit in, drives well, and offers exceptional fuel economy in both gasoline and hybrid forms. The most recent hybrid CR-V model has done particularly well, now accounting for half of all CR-V sales. Indeed, thanks to the popularity of the CR-V Hybrid, and the new Civic Hybrid, over 30 percent of all Hondas sold in the U.S. are now hybrid-powered.
The Trailsport trim, available on the larger Honda Ridgeline, Pilot, and upcoming Passport, has also been a success. Trailsport models combine rugged looks, improved off-road capability, and the most popular equipment at an attractive price. And now, the best-selling CR-V is getting its own Trailsport version, exclusively as a hybrid.
Arriving in showrooms later this year, the new CR-V TrailSport Hybrid is actually Honda’s first SUV to combine its rugged TrailSport design elements and trail-ready all-terrain tires with a two-motor hybrid/electric system and standard all-wheel drive.
From the outside, it is distinguished by a unique and rugged-looking front bumper with silver skid plate, a black rear spoiler, black door handles and window surrounds, as well as orange Trailsport badges on the grill and rear hatch. Unique grey 18-inch wheels are fitted with Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires, which are said to substantially improve traction in tough conditions such as dirt, sand, mud and snow while remaining quiet and comfortable on the road.
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Inside, the CR-V Trailsport Hybrid includes front seats embossed with embroidered logos, all-season rubber floor mats, and signature orange ambient lighting in the footwells. You’ll also find an overhead console, door handle pockets, and cupholders. Standard equipment levels are high and include a heated steering wheel, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and a power liftgate.

The CR-V Trailsport will arrive exclusively as a hybrid and that’s a first for a Honda Trailsport model. Its fourth-generation hybrid powertrain includes a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, manufactured at Honda’s plant in Ohio. Total power output is 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, and an electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission optimizes for performance and fuel economy.
To improve off-road performance, the Trailsport, as well as all 2026 CR-V all-wheel drive models, have an enhanced traction management system that performs better at speeds below nine mph. When a difference in the rotation speed of two wheels is detected, power is transmitted to the two tires with the most traction, and braking force is applied to the slipping wheels.
All 2026 CR-V models also come with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assist features. This includes blind spot monitoring, collision mitigation braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and active cruise control. All CR-Vs also have ten airbags and a long list of passive safety features.
The CR-V Trailsport Hybrid ushers in a number of enhancements to the entire 2026 CR-V lineup. All models now feature improved in-car tech with a larger touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration and wireless charging pad – features previously limited to higher trim levels. Hybrid models now get a larger fully digital instrument cluster.
Interested in Honda’s full hybrid and EV lineup? Explore all Honda EVs, Hybrids, and PHEVs.
Additionally, the top-of-the-line Sport Touring Hybrid trim level features the first integration of Google built-in technology for the CR-V. That means Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play can help create a more helpful, personalized and connected driving experience.
All CR-V models for 2026 will feature updated wheel designs, more aggressive front and rear styling, and polished stainless steel exhaust finishers. A new "Individual" drive mode has been added to the Sport Touring Hybrid model, enabling drivers to customize their experience with individual settings for throttle response and steering assistance.
2026 CR-V models will begin arriving in American showrooms in late spring 2025.
Senior Editor and GreenCars Contributor
Laurance Yap worked for a decade as an automotive journalist before joining Porsche, where he ran PR and marketing in Canada. He led global marketing for RM Sotheby’s, and is a senior manager at GreenCars and a regular contributor to the site.
ReviewsThe 2026 Honda CR-V gets a subtle refresh and a new TrailSport Hybrid trim. But is this serious hybrid crossover also a serious off-roader?
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