I've lived in major metropolitan cities for the past 15 plus years, so I’ll admit that I don’t always love driving. Sitting in traffic jams and endlessly fighting overly assertive drivers makes me anxious. But put me in the right car and on the right road, and I can happily drive for hours.
That’s exactly what happened when I was given the opportunity to test Honda’s latest 2026 CR-V in California. I invited my family out west with me for a road trip up Highway 1 from San Diego to Los Angeles. Even though the occasional traffic jam was inevitable (welcome to SoCal), Honda’s compact SUV handled everything from crowded freeways to coastal routes with ease. It was the perfect fit for our family of three: It had more than enough space for our admittedly excessive amount of luggage and baby gear.
If you’re in the market for your next family car, here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid. Snapshot: It's a solid choice for drivers looking for a comfortable, reliable vehicle.
What’s the Honda CR-V?
The Honda CR-V has been America’s best-selling crossover since 1997 and Honda’s best-selling vehicle since 2017, according to Honda. This vehicle has found its way into the driveways of American homes not only for its efficient fuel economy and consistent handling but for its practical design and ease of driving. The refreshed 2026 Honda CR-V offers more rugged styling options, improved capability and more standard tech than previous models as well as a minimalist, spacious interior cabin and ample cargo space for suitcases, groceries and other essentials.
While the TrailSport Hybrid trim is new to the 2026 CR-V lineup, the vehicle is available in several other options; I tested both the TrailSport Hybrid and the Sport Touring Hybrid trims. The TrailSport combines a more rugged design with all-terrain tires and a two-motor hybrid electric system. The Sport Touring is the most premium offering. Both trims have a sportier look and feature Real Time All-Wheel Drive to help avoid any traction loss on the road as well as a number of tech upgrades like a larger touchscreen and instrument display. (You can check out this spec chart for an in-depth comparison.) One aesthetic feature that I loved was Honda’s beautiful ash green metallic paint, which is exclusive to the TrailSport Hybrid.
For this review, I'll focus on the Sport Touring Hybrid trim, which I tested most during my time in California.
| EPA Fuel Economy (combined/city/ highway) | 35/38/33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Dimensions | 184.8" x 66.5" x 73.5" |
| Real Time AWD | Yes |
Exterior design
The Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid’s exterior won't stop you in your tracks, but the design is clean and attractive. Paired with gloss-black alloy wheels and a prominent grille, it has a sporty touch that makes the overall look appealing. Roof rails are standard on hybrid trims, so you can easily add rooftop accessories for camping trips or outdoor adventures. And I love the car’s moonroof, which brings even more natural light in as you drive.
Technology
Infotainment systems are standard in cars these days, but they’re not all created equal. Oftentimes, I find these built-in screens a touch too large or completely overwhelmed with features, but I really liked the CR-V’s 9-inch display. Honda’s interface struck the perfect balance of size and intuitiveness. It was responsive and extremely easy to navigate, and it wasn’t so in-my-face that it distracted me from the road. Hooking up Apple CarPlay wirelessly was a breeze, and I appreciated that Google was built-in so I could use Google Assistant hands-free as needed. Just note that built-in Google is offered only with the top-tier Sport Touring Hybrid trim. The same is true of the Bose Premium Sound System (which we used to play Hotel California on more than one occasion).
Because we were driving in Southern California in the summer, we had the AC running most of the time. Fortunately, climate control was easy to adjust and featured dual knobs so each passenger could choose their desired temperature. I did, however, wish that the car featured ventilated seating to help us cool down from the blasting sunshine. We didn't test out the heated front seats or steering wheel, but they are included for chillier days.
The car comes with a built-in wireless phone charger. I found it a bit finicky and not as quick to charge my depleted iPhone as I’d have liked, but it is convenient for times when you leave your charging cable at home. I also appreciated that the car has two front and two back USB-C ports: These made it easy to power up tablets and other devices that kept our little one entertained during the long car ride.
Storage and seating
As a traveling family of two adults and an infant, it goes without saying that we brought a lot of luggage along with us to California: two suitcases, a travel stroller, backpacks, diaper bags, personal items. I’ll admit that I was worried about how we would fit everything inside a compact crossover.
As seen in the photos, the CR-V’s trunk space was impressive. It offered ample room for our things (76.5 cubic feet to be exact), with space left over for more. When we switched hotels and had to reload the car with all our gear, we didn’t have to pack the trunk like a precious puzzle with pieces only fitting a certain way. We didn’t even have to fold down the second row, but it's a nice feature that we could have.
Before we set off on our slow drive up to Los Angeles, I got acquainted with the car's seating. I found both the front and back seats to be comfortable and spacious. I loved how the front seats were super easy to adjust thanks to electric switches. I had ample room to stretch my petite legs in the back, but even my taller husband said that he wasn't cramped. Even better, I didn’t feel as squeezed as I expected when the middle car seat was installed. I had plenty of space in the side storage compartments to stow water bottles, baby toys and more.
The seats are made with soft leather and feature bright orange stitching that friends instantly noticed and appreciated. It gave the car a more premium, sporty look and feel that grew on me.
Drivability
I felt good behind the wheel of the CR-V. It took me up California’s coast comfortably, and it handled curving mountain roads and dirt paths like a champ. Our Hearst partners over at Car and Driver agreed: Senior Features Editor Elana Scherr said in her 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid review that "while the CR-V isn't the quickest transportation on the market, it is a smooth-riding machine that handles more like an Accord sedan than a higher-riding SUV. It has a comfortable seating position, reasonably neutral handling, predictable brakes and a firm but not overly stiff suspension that won't jostle groceries or sleeping babies yet still allows for an enthusiastic run on a nice stretch of pavement."
I found the car’s brakes responsive, and the quiet engine accelerated smoothly and efficiently around LA. While the vehicle could do a better job at isolating noise at high speeds and I found the Lane Keeping Assist System underwhelming, the Sport Touring's impressive 40 city/34 highway fuel-economy rating makes up for where it lacks. Even though we spent several days driving around Southern California, we didn't have to stop once for gas.
Bottom line: Is the 2026 Honda CR-V a good fit for families?
The Honda CR-V shines for its versatility. It may not be my dream car, but the CR-V makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. It’s a reasonable choice whether you need to run errands, go on the occasional outdoor adventure or make your way to the office. It’s the perfect size for smaller families of three or four, and it offers more storage space than I expected. Even though I was driving it in a new state and down unfamiliar roads, I felt safe, comfortable and at ease, and I can’t say that about every car I’ve tested. I may not take it off-roading anytime soon (or, let's be honest, ever), but I'm happy that the TrailSport and Sport Touring trims have good traction and can handle some dirt.
Everything about the 2026 CR-V felt intuitive, and there’s not much more I need from a car than that. Would I say it’s the most fun car to drive? No, but that's also not the kind of car most of us need (or can afford). The Honda CR-V Hybrid is practical and reliable, and it was nice to drive. Plus, it really does look amazing in ash green.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
