Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
The Honda CR-V crossover is quite impressive when you add up its accolades and industry achievements. With the addition of the TrailSport Hybrid model, the CR-V has become as indispensable to the market as it is efficient and value-focused. Moreover, the Japanese utility can handle all surface types since it combines AWD, all-terrain tires, and Honda’s 4th-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system.
For a deeper dive into the new model I headed to the West Coast of San Diego, where Honda set up traditional road routes and off-roading to showcase its flexibility for adventurous owners. To get to the CR-V TrailSport Hybrid, you must first understand the reverence for the CR-V. For starters, Honda has manufactured more than 3 million CR-Vs in the U.S. since 2006. The CR-V represents Honda’s best-selling model since 2017 and America’s best-selling crossover since 1997. In fact, a record 400,000 units were sold in 2024. It was also the top-selling hybrid in America in 2024. Hybrids are pertinent to Honda and now account for 30% of Honda brand sales.
Combine hybrid technology with the bold and confident demeanor of the TrailSport moniker, and now you have a new kid on the block with the skills to back up his/her gameplay. Like Toyota’s TRD Pros, TrailSport is the halo trim for Honda and represents a rugged, outdoor, active lifestyle. Some customers use their vehicles for light-duty work and off-roading. This particular CR-V is also the first hybrid TrailSport model in the family.
During the media event all vehicles were donned in an Ashe Green Metallic color scheme reserved for the CR-V TrailSport Hybrid. Other indications of what model I was driving included orange stitching on the seats, doors, and gearshift lever; amber ambient lighting; 18” Shark Gray alloy wheels wrapped in Continental CrossContact A/T tires; silver front and rear bumper garnish; black door handles; orange TrailSport badges; and more aggressive front and rear fascias.
“Our best-selling Honda CR-V is now even more of an industry benchmark with the addition of a rugged new TrailSport model, which has proven to be incredibly popular on our light trucks,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales. “The combination of rugged design elements and capabilities, incredible on-road dynamics and hybrid powertrain makes the Honda CR-V a more compelling SUV than ever before.”
With a system output of 204-horsepower and 247 lb.-ft of torque, the vehicle drives smoothly on the highway and doesn’t present any disturbances between the gas engine and two large electric motors. Honda Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System (50/50 torque split) smartly employs situational awareness to determine the level of traction needed. At the same time the Drive Modes feature incorporates a Sport mode for more responsive steering and acceleration preferences. When touring around the city at lower speeds, the CR-V will utilize the electric powertrain, and once speed increases, the gas engine will be deployed. It also reverses in EV mode. In accordance, regenerative braking occurs in various scenarios. During the off-road portion, Hill Decent Control worked phenomenally as I crept down a steep incline without using the brake pedal.
Inside, TrailSport elements will emphasize your new hybrid and updated technology will appease your infotainment and safety needs. But many will find the cabin mundane and unmoving. I wasn’t pleased or displeased. It’s a CR-V and that’s what I expected. Highlights include a sunroof, heated front seats, a 46% larger 10.2″ display screen, a heated steering wheel, an 8-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless phone charger, and a power tailgate.
The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid has an MSRP of $38,800 and is built at Honda’s Indiana Auto Plant in Greensburg, Indiana, so customers should avoid the latest automotive tariffs. Safety comes in the form of Honda Sensing’s suite of technologies, such as Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist System, to name a few.
Please experience the all-new 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport, the first Honda SUV to combine rugged TrailSport design and trail-ready all-terrain tires with Honda’s two-motor hybrid-electric system. This model redefines adventure as America’s best-selling SUV over the last 25 years.
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