Honda just had a record year in 2024, with more than 400,000 sales of the CR-V thanks to the availability of a hybrid model. As the company looks forward to the new year, it has formally announced that the CR-V and the HR-V subcompact crossover will undergo some significant changes.
Although the HR-V isn’t nearly as popular as the CR-V, it still sold over 151,000 units last year, making it a valuable asset in Honda’s portfolio. Both models last received a new look in 2023.
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The big news is the possible CR-V Trailsport
Honda
While the exact changes remain uncertain, the 2026 CR-V is confirmed to feature the rugged Trailsport trim. If it’s anything like the Pilot and new Passport, the CR-V Trailsport could receive dedicated off-road features such as higher ground clearance, unique wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, drive modes tailored to hit the beaten path, and possibly skid plates. Likewise, it could also match the rugged aesthetic of other Trailsports with blackened trim and roof rails.
The new CR-V will also likely carry over the current model year’s powertrains. That means a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 powering the CR-V LX, EX, and EX-L trims while a 204-hp 2.0-liter hybrid setup sits under the hood of the Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring. The latter is standard with all-wheel-drive and should carry over to the Trailsport.
Honda
Should the Trailsport retain the hybrid setup, it would show a promising step towards Honda’s dedicated EV Hub, which is gearing up to build multiple types of powertrains.
“We believe that electrification is best for personal mobility long-term, but how we get to 100% BEV ultimately will be based on customer demand,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Honda sales. “That’s why we pursued a smart, flexible strategy with our EV Hub in Ohio, where we will have the ability to produce ICE, Hybrid, and EV on the same line.”
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The HR-V may receive additional upscale refinements
Honda
Honda said the HR-V will also receive styling and technology enhancements this year. Again, the company is mum on the details, but we imagine the changes will likely be minor.
The Honda HR-V will soon get a luxury cousin: the Acura ADX, which will go on sale in the spring. The ADX will be powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbocharged engine mated to a CVT as standard equipment, along with premium features such as a digital gauge cluster and ventilated seats.
It’s not entirely out of the question that the HR-V might receive styling cues to align more closely with the ADX. Will any of those premium features be included?
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Final thoughts
Honda
Although the Honda CR-V and HR-V are due for a mid-cycle refresh, the impending tweaks will likely keep the bottom line growing as crossovers continue to sell like hotcakes.
The CR-V Trailsport would face stiff competition from the Subaru Forester Wilderness, Toyota RAV4 Woodland Edition, and Mazda CX-50, with the latter being an adventure wagon separate from the more urban-esque CX-5. If Honda packs it with enough off-road hardware, it may suit the needs of buyers preferring to spend life outdoors.
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