2026 Honda CR-V gets tech improvements
The Honda CR-V achieved a major sales milestone last year, and the Japanese automaker is looking to push even further in 2025. With the 2026 model officially hitting dealer lots, the CR-V comes better equipped than most rivals, with standard tech that other automakers charge extra for.
Honda
For 2026, the Honda CR-V gets a handful of tech-focused upgrades. All models now come stock with a nine-inch touchscreen display, and the EX-L gets a larger digital instrument display as well. Wireless smartphone compatibility and charging are now standard across the board. If you opt for an all-wheel drivetrain, the CR-V will do a bit better with its off-road traction. There’s a $4,480 difference between the LX base model and that gas-only EX-L, but is the top-spec non-hybrid model worth the extra cash? Let’s dig in and find out.
CR-V LX vs EX-L pricing
The Honda CR-V is available in seven total trims, but only three come powered solely by a gas engine. The base LX model is priced from $30,920, followed by the EX, available from $33,150. The EX-L tops the gas-only range and is priced from $35,400. If you want a fully loaded CR-V, you’ll have to opt for the Sport Touring Hybrid, which starts at $42,250 and comes equipped with a hybrid powertrain.
Honda
The CR-V currently holds a position as one of the top-selling crossovers in the United States. Honda sold more than 400,000 examples of the CR-V in 2024, making it the first model in the automaker’s lineup to cross the milestone since 2001. As of August, Honda has sold more than 278,000 CR-V models so far this year.
The CR-V EX-L adds luxury amenities
All non-hybrid Honda CR-V models come decked out with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-inch touchscreen display. The LX comes with two USB ports in the front seats, but you’ll need to opt for the EX-L to get a similar setup in the rear seats. While the LX comes with a four-speaker audio system, the EX-L features an eight-speaker system.
Honda
Aesthetically, the CR-V EX-L is the more athletic of the two, with standard 18-inch alloy wheels that look more upscale than the LX model’s 17-inch steel wheels. The EX-L also features heated side mirrors, a power tailgate, and a power moonroof.
Inside, the CR-V LX is basic but practical, with seating for up to five passengers and a manual driver’s seat. Rear-seat heater ducts make for a more comfortable passenger experience, and the LED cargo area lights can be particularly useful for unloading luggage after a long trip home.
Honda
Upgrading to the EX-L adds several premium features, including leather-trimmed, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat. The top-spec non-hybrid model also includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, white ambient LED lighting, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Performance and efficiency are identical
Under the hood of every gas-powered CR-V sits a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a CVT that produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard in both the CR-V LX and EX-L, earning up to 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Opting for all-wheel drive costs an extra $1,500 and reduces fuel economy to 27 and 31 mpg in city and highway driving, respectively.
Honda
The non-hybrid LX and EX-L are equal in performance and efficiency, but the CR-V Hybrid’s powertrain has them beat in both categories. All hybrid CR-V models feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that produces 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Models equipped with FWD are rated for 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Upgrading to AWD reduces combined fuel economy to 37 mpg.
Final thoughts
Honda 
The 2026 Honda CR-V was already a top contender in the crossover segment, and its latest tech upgrades make it even fiercer. While the base LX model may be a tad more expensive than some rivals, it comes better equipped, with wireless smartphone compatibility software and charging. For a premium driving experience, you can’t go wrong with the EX-L, considering its leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and heated front seats. There’s a $4,480 difference between the two, so if you can do without the premium amenities, the LX is a fantastic value.