Honda Added a Trailsport Trim to the 2026 Honda CR-V To Make Your Heart Beat Just a Little Faster
The Honda TrailSport family is growing, and after testing it off-road, the CR-V is a welcome addition to the cool kids table.
Honda’s CR-V is a long-time favorite of buyers and critics alike. It’s really hard to know with a car like that how far to push it from a redesign standpoint, to want to offer a little changeup but worry about messing with a crowd-pleasing formula too much. Or maybe I’m projecting. But we saw it with the Subaru Outback redesign, and the 2026 Toyota 4Runner garnered mixed opinions, too.
But for 2026, Honda has figured out a way to walk the line for its CR-V lovers to express themselves a bit. They’ve added the CR-V to the TrailSport family, and it’s a great option for people who like a more rugged aesthetic.
The TrailSport trim is also a reminder for compact SUV buyers to know that the CR-V is capable of way more than they think. The TrailSport trim of the CR-V starts at $38,800, putting it in the ring with the Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson XRT, Toyota RAV4 Woodland, and Mazda CX-50. In the Trailsport, all-wheel drive is standard, as are a few special details that make it truly trail-worthy. Is there a better way to find out what makes the TrailSport edition worth spending a little more on than taking it off-road? Let’s dig in.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Honda’s guest for this test drive, but all opinions are my own.
What’s New On the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport?
The CR-V TrailSport does have an exclusive paint color, Ash Green Metallic. I love it. It looks outdoors ready with all-terrain tires on dark grey wheels. Other exterior features include TrailSport badging and black matte trim around the windows, silver-toned cladding on the front and rear bumpers.
The piece on the front wraps around the bottom and underneath the bumper just a little, but it’s not a skid plate. To be clear, the Honda CR-V TrailSport has a few visual features that set it apart from its fellow line-mates. But aside from those larger all-terrain tires and all-wheel drive being standard (as opposed to optional, or “available”), there is nothing mechanically different about the TrailSport in terms of off-road capability.
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Hybrid Power Means Fewer Trips to the Pump and More Trail Time
So, what does that mean? The TrailSport falls into the upper trims of the CR-V line, so it has a hybrid powertrain. The CR-V is powered by a 204-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors. It’s capable of towing up to 1,000 pounds, about the amount of a small trailer carrying two dirt bikes. The CR-V TrailSport has several drive modes: Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow.
And hey, speaking of drive modes, I liked that there was a definite difference between all of them. Of course, I loved being in sport mode, zipping around everywhere, and feeling a bit more of the steering response. But yes, that does cost you more fuel, so the Econ mode is good to use too.
The CR-V could be shifted into “B,” which provided the most amount of regenerative braking, augmented by the paddle shifters, too. The CR-V TrailSport gets an estimated 38 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway, and 35 combined.
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Trust Me: The CR-V TrailSport Doesn’t Mess Around
Yes, we took the CR-V TrailSport off the pavement to see what it could do. It was confident, even when our course had the CR-V TrailSport’s tires off the ground. So, is this a new level of capability for the CR-V? No. But is it good to remember this compact SUV can go more places than you previously thought? Absolutely.
While it’s tempting to want the TrailSport to have a few more off-road-specific features like a front camera or perhaps a special drive mode, we learned first-hand that the CR-V could tackle most things CR-V owners are likely to encounter. We got a demonstration of the all-wheel drive system on some rollers so we could see how the system worked.
In slippery, unstable conditions like snow, loose dirt or gravel, the system will locate the wheel with traction and put the power there to get the CR-V out of the situation. Like some uphill slopes and downhill trails with dirt and mild ruts. The all-wheel drive system, paired with hill-descent control made light work of those things.
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It Was Just as Impressive On the Road, Too
But what if you only ever stayed on-road? The CR-V TrailSport’s hybrid powertrain is quiet and has solid, consistent power. And that powertrain has always been a solid one, regularly earning over 30 mpg across the board. The CR-V TrailSport picks up speed nicely and cruises comfortably, and even the all-terrain tires didn’t make much noise.
Just like the standard version of the CR-V, it’s adaptable to any errand, daily task, or road trip. It’s designed to be the Jack of All Trades: comfortable, versatile, economical, and of course, the kind of car you can look back at and admire while you’re walking into the grocery store without going broke.
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The Interior is Familiar, But Better
The fabric upholstery was embroidered in orange with the “TrailSport” name on the headrests.
The same orange was stitched in the seats, steering wheel, and gear shifter. This little bit of personality was a fun addition to the interior of the CR-V. I liked the interior of the CR-V without it, especially the honeycomb mesh in the dash around the vents. There are enough materials to keep the CR-V interesting. There are also amber interior LED lights.
The CR-V seats five, with two sets of latch connectors and top tether anchors in the outboard seating positions. Rear passengers can charge their devices with two USB-C charge ports. The rear center position has an armrest that folds down and has two cupholders. The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 configuration, and the cargo space is roomy. Be aware that there was no under-floor storage due to the hybrid batteries being located there.
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The Technology is Effective, But Not Overwhelming
As far as tech goes, I liked the 10.2-inch driver information display. It was crisp and clear. In addition to speed, the display showed charging information, sound system information like radio station or track listing. It also shows the car’s seating position and whether the seatbelts are buckled.
It will change color depending on the drive mode you’re in, too. The CR-V has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, and a 9-inch touch screen is standard across the lineup. The TrailSport also offers a heated steering wheel and an 8-speaker sound system as standard features for that trim level.
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Who Would Benefit From the TrailSport Trim?
Typical CR-V customers aren’t buying them to modify and turn into hardcore overlanders. Most are buying them because they want a reliable, cost-effective, mid-sized SUV that fits into almost every aspect of their lives. But what about the customers who want a car that could get them to their favorite trailheads, camping spots, or vistas?
The TrailSport gives CR-V buyers, who already knew this versatile SUV was on their wish list, even more options. While the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport isn’t a full-fledged off-roader, it’s capable enough to remind you where you can go and what you can do in your compact SUV. And who doesn’t love a little side of adventure with their daily driver?
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