2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport Review: A Compromise Against Compromises
Is the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport Good Off-Road?
With a set of standard all-terrain tires, it’s certainly a step above a standard all-wheel-drive CR-V, but I would manage expectations if you plan for the TrailSport to serve as your new adventure mobile.
How Does the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport Compare to Other Compact SUVs?
From an off-road perspective, leave the gnarlier terrain to the Subaru Forester Wilderness or Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch. For day-to-day urban driving, the 2026 CR-V is one of the sharper, more satisfying crossovers on the market, and the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires don’t change this.
A simple line of questioning can help determine if the new 2026 Honda CR-V hybrid TrailSport meets your needs:
Do you frequently find yourself in a situation where you must engage the low range of your 4×4 system or lock differentials to progress? Are you more concerned with approach, breakover and departure angles than efficiency? Have you winched your daily driver from a pit of muck in the past year?
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport, front | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport, rear angle | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
If you even hesitated in answering any part of this questionnaire, keep moving. Despite the capability of Honda’s other TrailSport products, the TrailSporterized CR-V essentially amounts to an appearance package with a set of unique wheels and all-terrain tires. There are no changes to the suspension, drive modes, underbody protection or even the all-wheel-drive system that aren’t present elsewhere in the 2026 CR-V lineup.
In an era of genuinely adventure-capable unibody AWD crossovers like Subaru’s Wilderness line and Ford’s Bronco Sport Sasquatch products, this initially felt like a letdown. This is exacerbated when you superimpose the CR-V TrailSport against the adequately rugged Passport TrailSport, Honda’s 4Runner-baiting mid-sizer that packs skid plates, terrain modes, aggressive all-terrains and a revised AWD system.https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6375057394112
How Does the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport Drive?
I voiced these concerns to Honda reps on hand at the TrailSport’s debut (per Cars.com’s ethics policy, we pay for all travel and lodging at such manufacturer-sponsored events). During product planning and development, Honda determined beefier off-road hardware added cost, complexity, and compromises in efficiency and comfort that ran the risk of losing more buyers than it would gain, with the resulting soft-roading TrailSport striking the balance between compromise and capability.
As far as I could tell, there’s not much compromise to be found at any level. The Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires don’t meaningfully affect road noise or feel compared to standard CR-Vs of this generation. The majority of the drive route wove through the forested chaparral north of San Diego, a network of squiggled canyon roads that exposed the all-terrained SUV to dynamic motion far beyond what its (presumably) urban buyers would experience with any regularity.
The previous CR-V was one of the better-driving mainstream crossovers, and this baseline solidity shines through with the 2026 revision. Even with the knobbier rubber, the TrailSport stops and steers with just a hint of zest not present in equivalent crossovers from any competitors save Mazda and Toyota. It’s free from the unpleasant “squish” characteristic of all-terrain tires that’s often introduced with these rough-road specials, making it nearly as comfortable and composed as a standard CR-V hybrid — the only powertrain available for the TrailSport.
About the make
Honda
Honda is a Japanese company that sells many U.S.-made cars, trucks and SUVs, several of which are bestsellers in their respective categories.
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2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport, off-road profile | Cars.com photo by Max Bednarski
Both CR-V powertrains are left untouched for 2026, with the TrailSport’s hybridized 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for a combined 204 horsepower and 247 pounds-feet of torque — decent figures, but the TrailSport’s 3,900-pound curb weight limits straight-line performance to “adequate” and not beyond. With two occupants and nearly 100 pounds of cargo, the TrailSport was a smidge poky when pointed down an on-ramp, though merging speeds were capable enough not to cause worry.
What’s Different About the 2026 CR-V’s AWD System?
The CR-V hybrid’s AWD system is not insignificantly updated for 2026. Revised logic for low-speed, low-traction scenarios patches some of the current-gen CR-V’s middling AWD capability, with the available torque split now 50/50 front/rear against the prior 60/40 ratio. This is not unique to the TrailSport — all 2026 CR-V hybrids with AWD incorporate these changes.
Given the TrailSport’s, ah, “reserved” off-road capability, our guided off-road route involved a short cruise down an unpaved ranch road to a short incline for a very brief test of the hill descent control function. Then we took a similarly short drive to a second area where we induced slight articulation and lifted a rear wheel skyward.
Given the TrailSport’s unchanged ground clearance and approach, departure and breakover angles, I can confidently say we tackled no obstacle that any 2026 CR-V hybrid AWD couldn’t handle with similar aplomb. The staged tech demo of the year-over-year AWD improvements was more illustrative; an AWD 2025 CR-V failed to extricate itself from a set of low-friction wheel rollers, while a 2026 TrailSport scooted from the same setup with little effort.
It won’t conquer the Rubicon, but you’ll likely have no trouble getting to that remote lake house or surviving slick winter streets. And it looks mostly the part, too, with orange-accent TrailSport badges, silver trim on the lower portion of the front end, a set of TrailSport-branded rubber floormats, embroidered head restraints and orange stitching peppered throughout the cabin.
1 / 252026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport, engine | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
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How Much Is the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport?
All of the modelwide upgrades for 2026 are here, and higher trims — including the TrailSport — arrive with the larger 10.2-inch display superseding the 2025 model’s 9-inch optional screen. The 9-inch touchscreen is now standard and 2 inches larger than the prior standard display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is wireless device charging.
Minor changes, minor improvement. CR-V TrailSport pricing starts at $40,195, a $1,670 bump over an AWD 2026 hybrid Sport and a whopping $4,150 over an AWD EX (all prices include destination). So, it’s a no-brainer if you’re set on a rugged-looking CR-V hybrid but worth deliberation if you’re just keen on an AWD CR-V of any type. And for those looking for a Honda SUV with more off-road capability, please direct your attention to the 2026 Honda Passport base RTL trim, which starts at $46,200.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
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2025 Volkswagen Taos Review: Good Things in a Not-So-Small Package
By Aaron Bragman
June 18, 2025
2025 Volkswagen Taos | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Is the Volkswagen Taos a Good SUV?
- Very well equipped and reasonably priced — with solid driving dynamics, excellent onboard tech and more space than you’d expect inside — the updated 2025 Volkswagen Taos is a winner.
How Does the Volkswagen Taos Compare With Other Small SUVs?
- The Taos’ copious interior space and punchy driving dynamics set it apart in a crowded field, and given its reasonable price when fully loaded, it competes well in every metric, from fuel economy to value to utility. This is definitely one to put on your list if you’re shopping for a subcompact SUV.
As the average price of a new car creeps up and up, automakers’ entry-level offerings are becoming even more important. Is it still possible to get a solid new vehicle at a value price, or are things at the cheaper (though still not cheap) end of the showroom no good? With its heavily updated 2025 Taos, Volkswagen makes the case that you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money to get something stylish, high-quality and genuinely useful. With a bump in power for its tiny turbo engine, a new interior, freshened exterior styling and a seemingly magical interior layout that’s bigger than you’d expect on the inside, the 2025 Taos is a strong contender in a crowded field.
Related: 2025 Volkswagen Taos Packs More Power, Smoother Shifts
1 / 102025 Volkswagen Taos | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
How Much Does the 2025 Volkswagen Taos Cost?
There are four trim levels to choose from with the Mexico-built Taos. Like most modern automakers, VW largely bundles available features into trim level instead of offering them as stand-alone choices. Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the top SEL trim, which has all-wheel drive as standard equipment (all prices include a destination fee of $1,425).
- S FWD: $26,420
- S AWD: $28,120
- SE FWD: $29,320
- SE AWD: $31,020
- SE Black FWD: $31,570
- SE Black AWD: $33,270
- SEL AWD: $36,120
Styling changes a bit with each trim level, with the Black models obviously getting blacked-out trim. Two-tone paint is an option on the SE Black trim, as well, and wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, trim depending. Only one engine is offered: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 174 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque; that’s a bump from the 158 hp of the 2024 Taos, though torque is unchanged. Both FWD and AWD versions of the 2025 Taos use an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is also a change from before; the AWD powertrain previously used a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
1 / 152025 Volkswagen Taos | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Style and Packaging
The looks department was never one of the Taos’ problem areas, and the new one doesn’t suffer from any visual weirdness or awkward lines, either. In fact, as far as SUV designs go, it’s quite handsome, with clean styling that’s been updated nicely, new lights front and rear, some new trim offerings and neat two-tone paint options. LED projector headlights are now standard, adaptive headlights are optional, and the taillights now span the width of the SUV, with an illuminated VW logo at the center. My test vehicle was a completely loaded SEL variant in Moss Green Metallic, a vivid shade of green that looks fantastic. VW isn’t afraid of adding interesting color options to its palette; an available Cornflower Blue hue is also quite a looker.
More impressive than the Taos’ exterior styling changes, though, is the amount of room this thing has on the inside. I’m not sure how VW has done it, but there’s a stunning amount of backseat legroom in particular. There’s enough room inside to make you question whether you really need to upgrade to the larger Tiguan compact SUV; maybe the Taos has enough space to carry family and friends on a regular basis? The front seats are comfortable, if a bit narrow, and the rear bench can accommodate three across thanks to a flat floor and that significant legroom. I’m a big guy, and I can sit behind where I’d position the driver’s seat without my knees touching the front seatback. They’re not even close to it; there’s simply a ton of legroom in the backseat. Headroom, hip room and shoulder room are also plentiful. Volkswagen’s packaging engineers have done a masterful job maximizing interior space within the footprint of a small SUV — even the cargo space is plenty big enough for a couple of large suitcases. That, too, raises the question of whether or not you need to spend more money on the larger Tiguan when this smaller, less expensive (but admittedly less powerful and less feature-packed) Taos will meet a lot of small families’ needs.
Spunky and Quick
I’ve driven other compact SUVs with small turbo four-cylinder engines making similar power numbers (mostly from GM) and come away unimpressed with their performance. The Taos doesn’t suffer a similar fate despite not having much power on paper. Its turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine gets a boost for 2025 to 174 hp, and its eight-speed automatic is well matched to it; the transmission is eager to kick down to boost engine revs and squirt the Taos forward with authority. It’s surprisingly peppy considering its diminutive numbers, and it never feels underpowered, sluggish or slow — even when it’s merging onto a highway and revving its heart out. Multiple drive modes also help, including both a Sport drive mode and a sport-shift mode for the transmission that you engage by pulling down once on the gear selector.
The Taos’ handling is also nicely neutral and balanced, and its ride quality is impressive, as well. It’s not a sports car by any means, but it’s unlikely to ever be driven as such by most owners. As a tight, well-balanced family hauler with a comfortable ride, it excels. Even with the SEL’s large 19-inch wheels — attractive alloy rims wrapped in all-season rubber — nothing about the Taos’ ride was harsh or unpleasant when driving on varying types of pavement.
The Taos’ powertrain gets decent fuel economy, as well. AWD models earn an EPA-estimated 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined. Over a long slog from Ann Arbor, Mich., to Elkhart Lake, Wisc., that consisted of both highway driving and stop-and-go Chicago traffic, the Taos netted a calculated 31.5 mpg overall, which is adequate. It’s unfortunate, however, that there’s no hybrid powertrain option for the Taos. While the VW’s estimated gas mileage is similar to conventionally powered competitors like the Honda HR-V and Nissan Kicks, it falls well short of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 42 mpg combined EPA rating.
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About the make
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automaker that offers a range of cars and SUVs, including a roster of ID-branded EVs.
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1 / 82025 Volkswagen Taos | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Tech Is Better But Still Needs Improvement
Also new for the 2025 Taos is a standard 8-inch touchscreen across all trims, and it’s still running VW’s problematic multimedia system. It’s not the latest multimedia tech we’ve seen from VW, and that’s honestly a good thing — the newer systems VW has trotted out have been deal killers for a lot of people thanks to clunky functionality, difficult-to-use controls and difficult-to-find features. The Taos uses VW’s last-generation system, and combined with a steering wheel that does not have touch-sensitive controls (it still has regular buttons), it’s superior to the latest interfaces coming from VW globally. The multimedia screen isn’t big (8 inches is the bare minimum these days, and competitors offer bigger and better displays), but with available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system does everything you need it to do either through VW’s native functions or via your phone. And, thankfully, it still has knobs for volume and tuning — no trying to fiddle with touch-sensitive slider controls.
What we’re not such big fans of are the Taos’ touch-sensitive climate controls, which do not feature knobs or buttons but rather sliders on a panel. This is suboptimal, but as touch-sensitive climate controls go, they’re better than most thanks to the VW’s big, brightly lit displays and easy-to-find “buttons.”
An available 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster is also a highlight. It’s reconfigurable to a few different views, including a navigation view that’s nice to have when you want to display something else on the 8-inch multimedia screen. There are a lot of choices when it comes to what information the gauge cluster can display, so you’re sure to find something you want to see. Overall, the Taos’ interior technology is easier to use than a lot of recent Volkswagen offerings, but we worry about what the next-generation vehicle will bring. Here’s hoping VW has gotten the message about its other models’ troublesome tech and takes the feedback to keep the next Taos as easy to use as this one.
Should You Buy a 2025 Volkswagen Taos?
Improvements to the Taos inside and out have turned it from a nice-but-compromised small SUV into one that really does exude welcome refinement both inside and out. The cabin is nicely appointed and feels well made, there’s tons of room, it’s good to drive, and it works well, with genuinely useful technology. It’s also a relative bargain in a world where new-car prices are skyrocketing: The Taos’ entry price of $26,420 is reasonable, but even when fully loaded with every available bell and whistle, my test vehicle came to $36,535 — roughly $12K less than the average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. right now. It’s a reasonable sum for this vehicle that cements the 2025 Taos’ high ranking across many categories, making it worth checking out.
Related Video: https://players.brightcove.net/1578086878/HyOJ1bP6_default/index.html?videoId=6365055316112
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
