2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid

As our top-ranked compact SUV, we’ve found much to love about the Honda CR-V, from its easygoing manners and roomy interior to a record of reliability and high resale value earned over not just years but decades. Endowing Honda’s best-selling model with a gas-electric powertrain only makes it better. The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid represents the upper class of the CR-V range, and savvy shoppers will quickly see its appeal. Beyond being more efficient than the standard CR-V to the tune of up to 40 mpg combined, the CR-V Hybrid is also more powerful.

The non-hybrid Honda CR-V is reviewed separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

All 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid models now come standard with a 9-inch touchscreen display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto also become standard, as does a wireless phone charger. This year marks the debut of the Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid, a more ruggedized version. That model and the top-line Sport Touring also get a new 10.2-inch digital instrument display, while the Sport Touring model now has an “Individual” drive mode and Google built-in.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid starts higher than rivals like the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. For 2026 the Toyota RAV4 enters an all-new generation and becomes hybrid only, but pricing has yet to be announced.

Before buying a new CR-V Hybrid compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The CR-V Hybrid’s resale values are comfortably above average, with the hybrid version faring a little better. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Since it has hybrid in its name, you would expect the CR-V Hybrid to be more efficient than its gas-only sibling (and it is), but the icing on this electrified cake is that it’s more powerful, too. Thanks to the pairing of both gasoline and electrons, the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid makes 204 hp, versus the 190 hp in gas-only models. That’s less than the 226 hp of the forthcoming 2026 Toyota RAV4, the 231 hp of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, 227 hp of the Kia Sportage Hybrid, and 219 hp of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. But with numbers this close, it feels like quibbling.

The takeaway is that the Honda CR-V Hybrid feels confident in every situation and, numbers aside, many of our editors simply prefer the way the CR-V drives and handles. In our testing, which has involved hundreds — well, probably thousands — of miles, we’ve found it a satisfying and easygoing partner, whether running errands around town or trekking for hours on end on the highway.

In the latter situation, we especially appreciate Honda’s easy-to-set and easy-to-use adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The system is part of the Honda Sensing suite, and works smoothly and easily. We also appreciate the CR-V’s excellent visibility and comfortable seats.

Fuel Economy

The CR-V Hybrid is among the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs on the market. With front-wheel drive, it delivers 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving or 37 mpg with all-wheel drive. Still, the Kia Sportage Hybrid edges those numbers with 43 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 38 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, which have all-wheel drive standard, both hit 38 mpg combined.

Hybrid Fuel Savings

At 15,000 miles a year, a front-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid will use 10 fewer gallons a month than its gasoline-only counterpart. Even at $3 per gallon, that’s a savings of $30 every month. Looking at a full 5-year buy/drive/sell ownership cycle, those savings would more than make up for the hybrid’s relatively nominal price premium. The hybrid also requires about 10 fewer trips to the gas station each year.

The CR-V treats the driver and front passenger to what Honda calls “body-stabilizing seats,” designed to promote ideal posture and reduce fatigue. We’ve found that they indeed feel comfortable, supportive, and fine for long stints. The rear seats treat occupants to 41 inches of legroom — downright expansive for a compact SUV.

We’re happy to see a bigger touchscreen standard as part of the CR-V Hybrid’s update for the 2026 model year. The 9-inch touchscreen keeps the CR-V competitive, but still can’t match the standard 12.3-inch displays of the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, or the available 12.9-inch in the 2026 RAV4. The CR-V Hybrid also has a 7-inch digital instrument cluster on Sport trims, while the TrailSport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring models get a new 10.2-inch unit.

Behind the rear seats of the CR-V Hybrid, there is an impressive 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats folded down, the maximum volume is 76.5 cubic feet; that’s as good as this compact SUV class gets, and even more, considering this is a hybrid with a battery pack to hide.

There’s a maturity to the exterior design of this latest generation of CR-V. As there should be, considering this is the sixth iteration of it. But where previous models tried to be the most anonymous thing in the parking lot, there’s now greater presence, in a tasteful way. Some of the subtler touches include a wide and upright windshield, contributing to excellent outward vision.

The most visually interesting trim in the CR-V Hybrid is the new TrailSport. Meant to evoke a more rugged image, the new CR-V Hybrid TrailSport has a unique front fascia and what Honda calls a “skid garnish” (if not a traditional plate); all-terrain tires; blacked out spoiler, door handles, and other bits; and orange TrailSport badges on the front and back. We especially like the Ash Green exterior color exclusive to this model.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Phone integration is rather ubiquitous at this point, but that hasn’t dulled its appeal. For 2026, we appreciate that it’s now wireless across the board.

Wireless charging
Another feature that is now standard on every 2026 CR-V Hybrid model. You won’t believe how convenient this is until you use it, especially those instances when your phone is low on juice.

Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock
Standard on all CR-V Hybrid trims, we’ve found this self-locking/unlocking function both convenient and comforting.

All-wheel drive
For buyers living in areas where the weather gets rough, we’d say all-wheel drive is worth the extra money for the added reassurance. It’s standard on the TrailSport and Sport Touring trims and optional on the others.

Digital instrument cluster
The new 10.2-inch digital instrument display brings a welcome dash of innovation to the CR-V Hybrid’s cabin, and makes it easy to see a lot of information at once. It’s standard on all but the Sport trim.

Efficiency
It’s the reason you buy a hybrid. The fact that you can get 40 mpg combined in such a modern, technically advanced SUV as the CR-V still brings a smile to our face — especially as we drive past all those gas stations.

Engine & Transmission

The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid employs a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor working together to create a total of 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. This energy goes through an automatic transmission to the road via front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive (optional in Sport and Sport-L versions, standard in the TrailSport and Sport Touring models).

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The CR-V Hybrid has a basic new-vehicle warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. This guarantee is typical for mainstream companies like Honda, although Hyundai and Kia offer longer terms. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles, while the hybrid battery has a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. Honda also includes complimentary maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Honda CR-V is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the agency’s second-highest accolade. It also took a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with a low-speed follow function.