2026 Honda CR-V Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
As an originator of the compact SUV segment, the Honda CR-V remains a popular choice. Combining practicality, value, safety, and efficiency with good driving manners, the CR-V earns appeal with all sorts of drivers.
This generation of CR-V has been on sale since 2023, and for 2026 it gets an update aimed at keeping it competitive. Rivals to the 2026 CR-V include the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and Nissan Rogue.
Interested specifically in the CR-V Hybrid? Get more details here.
What’s New
Several noteworthy changes arrive on the CR-V for 2026. The standard equipment list on all trims now includes:
- Standard 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless device charging pad
- Larger gauge display on EX-L trim
- Improved traction control for AWD models
Other changes are applied specifically to the CR-V Hybrid, including the introduction of the TrailSport trim level.
What We Think
Although not much about the CR-V excites, there’s enough competence in this small SUV that it remains worthy of consideration—it deserves its popularity.
If the CR-V looked cooler, had more power, and offered drivers more excitement, that’d be great. But as it is, it looks just fine, has enough power, and moves with the pleasant, connected road manners Honda engineers into all its vehicles.
The CR-V excels in practicality. It’s more spacious inside than its outside measurements suggest, and the cabin layout is functional and intuitive.
Our choice is with the CR-V Hybrid over the standard CR-V for its increased power and improved fuel efficiency. Regardless, with the technology upgrades made for 2026, Honda has addressed our main complaint about the CR-V. It might now be in its best form yet.
Performance and MPGs
The CR-V has a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4 engine that produces 190 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. A CVT automatic routes that output to standard FWD, or available AWD; Honda made improvements to the CR-V's AWD traction control system for 2026.
In MotorTrend testing, a CR-V AWD posted a 0–60-mph time of 8.7 seconds.
Fuel economy for the 2026 CR-V is rated at 28/33 mpg city/highway with FWD, reflecting a 1 mpg drop in highway fuel economy compared to last year's version. With AWD, ratings come in at 27/31 mpg, gaining 1 mpg city over last year's model.
CR-V vs. CR-V Hybrid
Honda also sells the CR-V as a hybrid, with an electrified engine that improves fuel economy and acceleration. The CR-V Hybrid is more expensive than the standard CR-V to start, but the fuel savings it provides over time could pay off that cost difference.
See everything about the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid here.
New 2026 CR-V TrailSport
For 2026, Honda extends its off-road-oriented TrailSport treatment for SUVs to the CR-V. Notably, TrailSport trim is only offered on the CR-V Hybrid.
On the CR-V Hybrid, the TrailSport trim is fundamentally a wheel and tire package, wrapping all-terrain tires around 18-inch wheels. However, exclusive exterior design details and available green paint give it a rugged aesthetic.
Read all about the 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport here.
Safety Ratings and Features
In NHTSA crash safety testing for 2025, the Honda CR-V earned a five-star overall score, the highest possible. This generation of CR-V has received a five-star overall NHTSA rating every year since its debut in 2023.
The 2026 CR-V comes equipped with driver assist and active safety features including:
- Front automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beams
Above the base LX trim, the EX and EX-L trims gain:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Considering its compact size, the CR-V has plenty of interior capacity, especially compared to some of its top competitors.
Technology
The CR-V gets a technology upgrade for 2026. Instead of the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen from before, all trim levels now come with a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen previously reserved for high-end trims only. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, but Google built-in apps are exclusive to the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring.
The LX and EX models have a 7.0-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster display, while the EX-L gets a 10.2-inch all-digital display.
A wireless device charging pad also becomes standard on all CR-V models for 2026; front-row USB ports are standard, and second-row USB ports are added above the base LX trim.
The CR-V LX has a four-speaker audio system, the EX has a six-speaker system, and the EX-L gets an eight-speaker setup.
Which CR-V Trim Level Is Best?
The mid-range CR-V EX gains meaningful upgrades over the base LX model while avoiding the extra-cost items added to the high-end EX-L. At about $34,000 to start, the EX is our pick of the CR-V offerings.
Standard equipment on the 2026 CR-V EX includes:
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless charging pad
- Sunroof
- Heated front seats
- Driver’s seat memory
- 6-speaker audio system
