The tough-looking 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport is the mega-selling compact SUV’s anti-invisibility cloak.
As compact SUV sales have soared, the top sellers ― Toyota RAV4 and CR-V, in that order ― risk being taken for granted: just another family-friendly commuter. Nothing to see here.
Like a spike collar on a Goldendoodle, the TrailSport’s aggressive trim says, “There’s more to me than meets the eye.”
That’s not entirely fair. To Goldendoodles. The hyper-popular, hypoallergenic hybrid dog is a playful and energetic fluffball that represents the best of both sides of its lineage: Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever.
The 2026 Honda CR-V gets the hybrid part right, but falls short of the off-roading standard Honda set with its stellar 2026 Passport TrailSport.
That’s not a deal-breaker. It’s an expectations-setter.
The Passport TrailSport raised expectations for Honda off-road SUVs. The CR-V TrailSport has more off-road capability than any previous CR-V, but the trim level is more of an appearance package than an equipment upgrade.
Regardless, it’ll sell like Goldendoodles at a Montessori. The dog-park and soccer-field parking lots will be packed.
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What makes the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport special?
The CR-V TrailSport is only available as an all-wheel-drive hybrid. Fuel economy suffers 2 mpg in combined city/highway driving versus non-TrailSport AWD CR-Vs, due to extra weight and its capable all-terrain tires. It’s still admirable at 35 mpg combined, 38 city and 33 highway, though.
In addition to handsome black-limned orange “TrailSport” badges front and rear, exterior changes include a cosmetic silver front “lower bumper garnish” ― not to be mistaken for a front skid plate ― and black door handles, window surrounds and rear spoiler.
Interior modifications include seats with embroidered TrailSport headrests and amber ambient lighting.
The TrailSport also benefits from a number of modifications made across the CR-V line this year, including retuned traction control.
TrailSport prices start at $38,800, excluding $1,395 destination charge.
Honda builds the CR-V TrailSport in Greensburg, Indiana.
Driving impressions
The CR-V TrailSport was surprisingly capable on a short off-road course in the dusty hills east of San Diego. That’s a credit to the SUV’s basic engineering, because the TrailSport doesn’t have any specialized mechanical components, aside from rugged 18-inch Continental all-terrain tires. The off-road course Honda provided was essentially a dusty field, with two notable exceptions:
A hill with a drop-off so steep the CR-V’s left right wheel hung briefly in the air. The TrailSport’s hill descent control managed the brakes and traction control for a safe descent without my ever touching the brake pedal.
Metal rollers that simulated low traction conditions like mud or ice, removing all traction from one, two or three wheels. The all-wheel drive system and reprogrammed traction control system kept the wheels from spinning so the remaining wheel or wheel pulled the SUJV off the obstacle.
On paved surfaces, the deeply grooved all-terrain tires increase road noise slightly, but not enough to disrupt conversation. More noticeably, the drivetrain downshifted occasionally while going uphill at 50 mph or so, causing engine revs ― and then, noise and vibration ― to increase unexpectedly. There was no impact on safety or speed, just some surprising drivetrain noise.
2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport hybrid key features
Standard all-wheel drive
Hill descent control
18-inch Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires
Unique wheels
Cosmetic lower front bumper garnish
Grille and tailgate TrailSport badges
What could be better?
Let’s be clear. Barring a zombie apocalypse, the TrailSport has more off-road capability than any CR-V owner will ever need. Anything more ― say steel skid plates ― would raise the price and reduce fuel economy disproportionately to the value its owners receive.
Still, I love the bigger changes the TrailSport badge delivered to the ’26 Passport. I hate to see the badge’s meaning diluted when it had just begun to gain traction in a world where it competes with vehicles like the Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch and what I expect to be highly capable off-road versions of the upcoming Jeep Cherokee and Compass.
Why buy a 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport hybrid?
The CR-V didn’t become America’s second-best-selling non-pickup by accident. It’s a terrific vehicle, and the hybrids are its best models.
The TrailSport’s handsome black trim, orange badges and beefy wheels and tires make it a visual standout, especially in the ash green metallic paint ― think an olive uniform done up for a black-tie dinner ― of my test vehicle.
Combined with upgrades across the 2026 CR-V model line ― including retuned traction control, bigger instrument cluster, available 9-inch touch screen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto ― the CR-V TrailSport promises to be a strong addition to an already madly popular model line.
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport hybrid: Mostly show, just enough go
