2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport arrives soon as part of refresh

• The Honda CR-V will be updated for the 2026 model year
• Among the updates will be a rugged CR-V TrailSport model
• The smaller Honda HR-V will also be updated for the 2026 model year

An updated Honda CR-V debuts later this year as a 2026 model, and Honda has confirmed it will gain a rugged TrailSport model.

Honda made the announcement on Jan. 15 while sharing its sales results for the past year.

The current CR-V has been on sale since the 2023 model year and has never previously offered a TrailSport model.

Honda’s TrailSport models, like the Pilot TrailSport and redesigned 2026 Passport TrailSport, come with upgrades such as increased ground clearance, off-road-tuned suspension, underbody protection, and all-terrain tires. Similar upgrades will likely make their way to the 2026 CR-V TrailSport.

Honda didn’t specify what other changes are planned for the updated 2026 CR-V, but tweaks to the exterior styling at the front and rear are likely. Some of the technology may also be updated in the cabin. The powertrains are expected to remain largely unchanged, featuring the 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo-4 alongside the 204-hp 2.0-liter hybrid option. A hydrogen fuel cell option was added for 2025, though it is available only in California.

Honda had a big year in 2024 in the U.S. market, with overall sales up by nearly 9% to 1.4 million vehicles, including sales of Acura. The growth was mostly due to robust sales of the CR-V, which totaled 402,791 units. It was the first time a single model has exceeded 400,000 sales since 2001.

Honda plans to maintain the sales momentum with the CR-V update, an update for the smaller HR-V, the launch of the redesigned Passport, and the return of the Prelude all planned for the coming year.