Honda Introduces Smallest And Greenest Trailsport Yet

7 months ago - 1 May 2025, Carbuzz

With customers still hungering for more rugged-seeming SUVs, Honda is expanding its TrailSport line to include the Honda CR-V. It's the first time that the CR-V has received the TrailSport treatment. Not only that, but the TrailSport is only available as a hybrid, making the CR-V TrailSport both the smallest and most efficient TrailSport ever.

Honda hasn't put all its attention on the rugged CR-V, though, and has introduced a handful of other little updates for the rest of the small SUV's trims.

A Little SUV That's A Little Tougher
As is often the case with Honda's TrailSport models, the changes to the CR-V are fairly modest. The front bumper now has a silver-painted section that gives the look of a skid plate, and the door handles, rear spoiler, window surrounds, and mirror caps are all painted black. TrailSport badges also adorn the exterior, and the Ash Green Metallic paint pictured is exclusive to this trim, as well as the Passport TrailSport.

The most functional addition is the set of all-terrain tires wrapped around TrailSport-specific all-terrain tires. Honda says it also updated its traction-control system to make it easier to drive on rough terrain at speeds under 9 mph, but that's not specific to the TrailSport. All CR-Vs with all-wheel-drive get the update. Nothing has changed with the TrailSport's powertrain, which is the same naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter hybrid four-cylinder offered in other CR-Vs. It makes 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.

The interior is mostly standard CR-V, but the TrailSport gets orange stitching, embroidered TrailSport logos on the head rests, amber ambient lighting, and rubber floor mats. The TrailSport is a high trim, so it also picks up heated seats, a sunroof, and a power tailgate.

The Other Updates
The biggest change, figuratively and literally, for the 2026 CR-V line is the enlarged infotainment screen. It now measures 9-inches diagonally, an increase of 2 inches. Additionally, a wireless phone charger is standard, which will go nicely with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other changes are reserved for higher trims. The EX-L, Sport-L, TrailSport, and Sport Touring trims all now feature a 10.2-inch full digital instrument cluster as standard, and the Sport Touring gets a drive mode with user-customizable settings, and Google Built-In apps.

Honda hasn't announced any other major changes or information for the CR-V, yet. That means that no pricing has been announced. We wouldn't be surprised if Honda is still figuring out what that should be to factor in tariffs. It's possible that the CR-V won't be hit as hard as some other cars, since final assembly is done in Indiana, Ohio, and Canada. The powertrains for the hybrid versions are built in Ohio, too. That does mean the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque is built outside the US. Honda will likely have pricing soon, since the 2026 CR-Vs will be hitting dealers by the end of spring.