Honda’s got a new CR-V, and it’s kind of doing two things at once. For 2026, they’ve dropped the TrailSport Hybrid with a mix of outdoorsy style and hybrid brains. If it’s anything like our 2023 review, it’s where blandness and gas savings unite. It’s like your everyday CR-V just got back from REI with a new outfit. Enough torque, a tougher look, and enough adventure vibes to seem ready for the backcountry (even if it spends most of its time parked outside Trader Joe’s).
Some Show, Some Go
- Engine: 2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder with 2-motor hybrid-electric system
- Total System Output: 204 horsepower
- Torque: 247 lb-ft (available from 0–2,000 RPM)
- Transmission: E-CVT (Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission)
- Drive Type: Standard Real Time All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Control
TrailSport has always been a vibe more than a serious off-road trim, and Honda knows that. For 2026, the TrailSport finally ditches the gas-only setup and becomes the first Honda SUV to pair this design package with the company’s two-motor hybrid powertrain. That means 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque under the hood. Plenty for merging and maybe a gravel road detour, but let’s not confuse it for a rock-crawler.
“this is still a unibody crossover with hybrid guts and CVT transmission. You’re not fording streams or tackling Moab in this thing.”
Styling-wise, it leans heavily into the rugged theme. There’s a silver skid garnish up front, black door handles, Shark Gray 18-inch wheels, and just enough orange stitching inside to remind you this isn’t your regular school-run CR-V. All-season Continental all-terrain tires come standard, paired with Real Time AWD and improved low-speed traction management.
Related – How the Honda HR-V and CR-V Compare in Size and Performance
Who Is It Really For?
Here’s the thing: the TrailSport Hybrid isn’t trying to win over the 4Runner crowd. It’s targeting the “I go to REI twice a month and might camp once a year” buyer. And that’s perfectly fine. This trim blends efficiency with just the right touch of weekend-warrior aesthetic, without sacrificing the smooth, quiet, and refined ride the CR-V Hybrid is known for.
For 2026, the TrailSport comes standard with the larger 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, orange ambient lighting, a power tailgate, heated steering wheel, and upgraded traction controls. And with hill descent control and a new AWD logic that sends torque where it’s needed most, it’s a little more trail-friendly than before. But let’s be clear: this is still a unibody crossover with hybrid guts and CVT transmission. You’re not fording streams or tackling Moab in this thing. We’ll know more once we drive this thing.
Takeaway
The 2026 CR-V TrailSport Hybrid might just be the most conflicted CR-V yet. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good one. It’s efficient, well-equipped, and looks like it could handle a little dirt, even if it’s mostly hugging pavement. For buyers who want to look the part without dealing with body-on-frame sacrifices, this could be the sweet spot. Just don’t call it rugged. Call it smart marketing, good design, and a clever way to make Honda hybrids a little more appealing to the adventurous masses.
