The Honda CR-V is the brand’s best-selling vehicle, and has long been recognized as a benchmark among compact SUVs. With a history going back nearly three decades, the CR-V helped create the playbook for a sea of rivals to follow and continues to be a leader in its class today.
The CR-V has racked up countless awards over the years, including numerous Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards as the best in its class. Needless to say, there’s a lot we like about the CR-V, and we think it will impress you, too.
The 2026 Honda CR-V lineup is expansive, with a total of seven trims split between gas-only and hybrid models. Even an entry-level LX trim offers ample tech and impressive safety and driving assist features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control for a starting price of $32,370.
With hybrid options accounting for more than 50% of CR-V sales, Honda limits the gas-only CR-V to three trims: LX, EX, and EX-L. Stepping up to a top-line EX-L gets you quite a bit more, including several amenities that will make you feel like you’re driving a premium car.
And here’s good news if you don’t like wading through a litany of options: Other than choosing between front- or optional all-wheel drive, the EX-L comes fully loaded with a roster of practical and convenient features. Options are limited to special paint colors ($455) and accessories such as roof mounts, a trailer hitch, and the like.
2026 Honda CR-V EX-L
Other features you’ll get on a fully loaded 2026 Honda CR-V EX-L include:
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Heated front seats
- Power moonroof
- 8-speaker, 320-watt audio system
- Power front seats w/dual-position driver memory
- Dual-zone climate control
- Automatic-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 9-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Full LED headlights
- Power tailgate
- Smart Entry w/Walk Away Auto Lock
- Front and rear USB ports
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control w/low-speed follow
- Lane keeping assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Parking sensors
- 18-Inch alloy wheels
Here are some of the standout features in the 2026 Honda CR-V EX-L:
Plush Accommodations
The “L” in EX-L stands for something that’s not offered on some rivals of the CR-V: leather, particularly leather upholstery. In addition to seats wrapped in it, the CR-V EX-L comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. This means that wherever you’re sitting in the CR-V EX-L and what you’re touching the majority of the time as the driver, it’s going to feel nice.
The front seats are heated and the driver’s seat has 10-way power adjustment for further comfort, with 4-way power adjustment for the passenger seat. The EX-L trim also includes a dual-position driver’s seat memory. So if you’re sharing the vehicle with a spouse or another family member, they can easily hop in and get to their perfect driving position with the press of a button.
Ample Space
The Honda CR-V may be classified as a compact SUV, but it has some of the most generous cargo and passenger space in its class.
If used as a family vehicle or perhaps a shuttle for you and your college friends, those riding in back will appreciate the 41 inches of legroom. They’ll also like the view out. Honda has a knack for making its windows — especially those in the rear — nice and big so that even the youngest of travelers can view the world outside.
On the cargo side of things, the CR-V boasts 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat. In real-life terms, that means a whole lot of groceries, several suitcases, and room for a lot of gear. Folding the rear seats nearly doubles that space, opening up 76.5 cubic feet of room. This is the kind of flexible and practical vehicle that’s a big help when it’s time to move something or yourself.
Finally, loading and unloading all that cargo is made even easier thanks to the EX-L’s power tailgate. Once you’ve enjoyed this perk, it’s hard to go back to opening and closing the tailgate door by hand, especially if your mobility or strength isn’t what it used to be.
Top-notch Resale Value
So far we’ve highlighted the CR-V’s physical traits: Things you will touch and use on a daily basis to make life more convenient. But sometimes the unseen is just as important as the visible, and here the CR-V also excels.
In addition to a strong record of reliability, a constant for the CR-V has been head-of-class resale value. That remains true today.
Simply put, the Honda CR-V holds its value exceptionally well. So when it’s time to sell or trade-in your CR-V, you’re bound to get more money in your pocket or for use toward the purchase of your next new car. You might not dwell on the smart financial decision you’ve made in purchasing a CR-V, but when it comes time to sell, you’ll likely be giving yourself a hearty pat on the back.
More on the 2026 Honda CR-V
Read our full review to learn more about the CR-V or see CR-V models for sale near you.
