2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport First Drive Review: It Simply Lacks Aggression

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      When it comes to regular vehicles, the 2025 Honda CR-V stands out as a solid choice. It offers comfort, space, a well-designed and practical interior, great fuel efficiency, and is surprisingly fun to drive. What if Honda decided to enhance its popular crossover with genuine off-road abilities? Would a more rugged CR-V be able to compete? Would it detract from the qualities that make the car effective? I’m curious—because the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport isn’t quite that.

      The new trim introduces a light, adventurous style with a nature-inspired paint, orange interior details, and new wheels fitted with all-terrain tires. The tires are the sole performance upgrade differentiating the TrailSport from other CR-V models equipped with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. There’s no raised suspension either.

      This CR-V remains an excellent vehicle, just like the others. However, if you were expecting this version to be more aligned with the TrailSport designs of the Passport and Pilot, it’s wise to adjust those expectations. It's true that these outdoor-themed crossovers often prioritize aesthetics over off-road performance, but in comparison to models like the Wilderness and Woodland, the CR-V TrailSport feels rather conventional.

      Adam Ismail

      The Essentials

      The TrailSport is positioned in the mid-range of CR-V trims—above Sport, alongside Sport-L, and below Sport Touring. It's available only in hybrid form with all-wheel drive, mirroring the setup of other hybrid CR-Vs: a traction motor and power generator paired with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, delivering a total of 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The EPA provides impressive ratings of 40 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined, with a starting price of $40,045 including shipping.

      The exterior of the TrailSport is marked by silver "skid garnish" on the front and rear bumpers, maintaining the same shape as other trims (Honda’s choice of terminology is intentional—these aren't actual skid plates like those on the Passport TrailSport). This CR-V also features distinctive badges at the front and rear, black accents and door handles, 18-inch Shark Gray wheels, and an optional Ash Green Metallic color borrowed from the Passport. It has an appealing look, but it may be time for the industry to move beyond the soft pastel sage trend; vibrant greens are missed.

      Adam Ismail

      Inside, the seats are covered in black and gray heather cloth, featuring orange TrailSport logos embroidered on the headrests, along with orange stitching on the upholstery and steering wheel. The minimal ambient lighting in the CR-V shines an amber hue, notably in the door handle slots and over the wireless phone charger. Rubber floor mats brandished with the proper logos are also included.

      That sums up the significant stylistic updates. The slate wheels come fitted with 235/60R18 Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires, and if you've taken some trails in the past, you might already know these can be acquired for about $1,000 on TireRack.

      Driving the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport

      In Southern California, Honda created a small off-road course with steep ditches and hills that occasionally left our modest soft-roaders balancing on three tires. Honestly, this was nothing that a standard CR-V couldn’t tackle with its regular tires.

      Fortunately, the all-terrain tires don’t seem to negatively affect the CR-V’s on-road performance. From the driver’s seat, the TrailSport feels just like any other CR-V Hybrid, featuring a responsive chassis and a highly fuel-efficient powertrain that can be slightly challenged on the highway.

      You will definitely experience moments of accelerated performance in this vehicle. During those instances, you’ll hear the struggling two-liter engine working hard to respond, bypassing the generator to directly channel its power to the wheels. The electric torque provides ample power for starting from a stoplight, but at higher speeds, an additional 30 horsepower would be beneficial.

      As with every all-wheel-drive CR-V for 2026, the TrailSport enjoys enhanced traction control logic that functions effectively at very low speeds, below 9 mph. Hill descent control is also standard across all trims, aiding in speed control on steep declines. Honda has made the previously optional 9-inch center touchscreen standard in all models, now equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new 10.2-inch digital instrument panel is also available, included in the TrailSport.

      In concept, the CR-V’s interior is quite impressive. All the plastics have a quality feel, the controls for climate are elegant and functional, the infotainment screen isn’t excessively large, and the interface behind the instrument cluster is clean and easy to use.

      Adam Ismail

      I still appreciate the long,