The CR-V is not only one of Honda’s perennial best sellers but is also one of the most popular compact SUVs in the U.S. for its practicality, reliability, comfort. For 2026, the CR-V Hybrid gets refreshed with updated tech and the new TrailSport trim. But meh performance and a higher price than some rivals are drawbacks.
Base Price: $38,800
As Tested: $40,650
Horsepower: 204
Mileage: 38 mpg city/33 mpg highway/35 mpg combined
The CR-V Hybrid was introduced for the 2020 model year, and the sixth-generation CR-V gas-powered and Hybrid debuted for 2023. The 2026 refresh adds more standard tech in all trims, including a larger touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wireless device charging.
The new TrailSport Hybrid trim has more rugged styling and trail-ready all-terrain tires. While it’s more capable than other CR-V trims, it’s not a true off-roader – think of it as being ready for light outdoor adventures, including dirt or gravel trails and snow-covered roads.
The 2026 CR-V Hybrid comes in four trims: Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. Starting prices range from $35,630 to $42,250. The Hybrid is more expensive than the gas-powered CR-V and costs more than some rivals, but offers good value for the extra money. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
The Sport Hybrid and Sport-L Hybrid come standard with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is available for $1,500. The TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid come standard with all-wheel drive.
All CR-V Hybrid trims get the same powertrain: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. Total output is 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system uses a unique single speed lockup clutch transmission that delivers smooth and quick shifts.
The CR-V Hybrid is easy to drive and handles well, but it’s not sporty. Acceleration is a bit pokey from a stop and can feel leisurely when you need to quickly merge and pass at highway speeds. Once you’re up to speed, the CR-V Hybrid excels at cruising down the highway with a smooth, compliant ride. There are four drive modes: Normal, Econ, Snow and Sport. The switch between gas and electric power is smooth and barely noticeable. The suspension does a good job in soaking up bumps from rough roads. Steering is light, and the regenerative braking system has different settings using paddle shifters from close to one-pedal driving to a traditional feel. All in all, the CR-V Hybrid handles more like a Honda Accord or Civic than an SUV.
Fuel economy is very good for the class. EPA estimates for my TrailSport tester are 38 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. I got 35 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. The other CR-V Hybrids with AWD do a bit better at 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined. Front-wheel drive models get 43 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined.
The cabin is spacious and practical, which is what you want in a family vehicle. Honda has always done a good job in having a user-friendly and comfortable interior, and that’s the case here. Controls and buttons are logically arranged and passengers in both rows enjoy generous leg- and headroom with plenty of space for taller folks. Seats are supportive and comfortable, even on long drives. A nine-inch touchscreen is now standard and sits on top of the dash. That and now-standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay address past complaints about old-school tech. Higher trims get a new, larger digital instrument display.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, heated front seats, driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment and two-way power lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, seven-inch partial digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with nine-inch touchscreen, 240-watt six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, four USB ports, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hot spot, white ambient interior lighting, auto on/off and adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, black roof rails, and a moonroof.
Available features include auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-trimmed seats, sport leather seats, two-position driver’s seat memory settings, passenger seat with four-way power adjustment, heated steering wheel, 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, 320-watt eight-speaker audio system, 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, HD Radio, Google Built-In, navigation, amber ambient interior lighting (TrailSport), and rain-sensing wipers.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-jam assist (controls braking, acceleration and steering at slow speeds), road departure mitigation (helps prevent the vehicle from driving off the road), cross-traffic alert, and rear-seat alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include low-speed braking control and front and rear parking sensors.
The infotainment looks good with its now standard nine-inch touchscreen. It’s user-friendly with logically arranged menus and quick response times. The CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring trim comes standard with Google Built-In, offering more features than the standard infotainment system.
The CR-V Hybrid has a bit less cargo space than its gas-powered sibling, but it’s still very good for a compact SUV. There are 36.3 cubes with both rows of seating in place, and 71.8 cubes with the second row folded. A power tailgate and hands-free power tailgate are available.
The good:
Easy to drive
Smooth ride
Good fuel economy
Roomy, practical, comfortable interior
Many standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Leisurely acceleration
TrailSport not truly off road capable
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $38,800. Ash Green Metallic paint is $455. The destination fee is $1,395, bringing the grand total to $40,650.
Bottom line:
There are many reasons why the CR-V has been Honda’s best-selling vehicle since 2017, and the refreshed 2026 CR-V Hybrid will no doubt continue down that road. It’s easy to drive, has a spacious and comfortable interior, comes well-equipped, and gets good gas mileage. It remains one of the best compact SUVs on the market.
