2026 Honda CR-V vs 2025 Honda CR-V Review

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Folsom Lake Honda presents a comparison: 2026 Honda CR-V vs 2025 Honda CR-V

At Folsom Lake Honda, we understand that picking the right SUV is a big decision, and we’re here to help make it simple. If you’re comparing the specs of the 2026 Honda CR-V with the 2025 Honda CR-V, you’re already considering one of America’s best-selling compact SUVs, celebrated for its dependability, roomy comfort, top safety ratings, and impressive resale value.  So, what’s new for 2026? The 2025 CR-V continued to win over drivers in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Shingle Springs, and Elk Grove with its sleek design, smooth ride, and efficient gas and hybrid powertrain options. The 2026 CR-V builds on that winning formula with thoughtful refinements, ensuring it stays ahead in its class.  Inside, the 2025 Honda CR-V impressed with its modern horizontal dashboard layout, spacious second-row seating, and easy-to-use technology, featuring a standard 7-inch touchscreen or available 9-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For 2026, Honda takes it a step further by introducing a standard 9-inch touchscreen, upgraded cabin materials and expanding USB-C charging ports across more trims—adding everyday convenience for families and commuters. Come along as Folsom Lake Honda walks you through a comparison showcasing the difference between both model years so you can decide whether the well-equipped 2025 Honda CR-V fits your lifestyle or if you’d like to enjoy the refined updates of the 2026 Honda CR-V on your next adventure.

Engine Specs and Fuel Efficiency

When comparing the 2026 Honda CR-V to the 2025 Honda CR-V, the most noticeable updates can be found in efficiency and refinement. Both model years keep the CR-V at the top of the compact SUV class with versatile powertrain options that balance performance and practicality.  The 2025 Honda CR-V comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine that generates 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. This setup delivers confident daily performance, moving from 0–60 mph in about 8.3 seconds while maintaining impressive fuel economy at an estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway on front-wheel-drive models.  The 2026 CR-V carries forward this same turbocharged engine for gas-powered trims, offering similar output and reliability. Where the 2026 model sets itself apart is in its refined hybrid powertrain. Still featuring the 2.0-liter engine paired with dual electric motors for a combined 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, the hybrid now benefits from Honda’s tuning updates, which create smoother transitions between gas and electric power.  Both the 2025 and 2026 CR-V Hybrid models deliver quick acceleration for their class, reaching 0–60 mph in about 7.9 seconds. However, the 2026 CR-V Hybrid edges ahead with improved fuel economy, offering up to 43 mpg in the city, making it the most efficient choice between the two.

Interior Highlights

When it comes to size, the 2025 and 2026 Honda CR-V remain virtually the same and continue to offer the spacious dimensions that make this SUV a family favorite. With nearly 104 cubic feet of passenger volume, there’s generous headroom and legroom for everyone. Cargo space is equally impressive, with 39.3 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum 76.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded, making it perfect for family trips, weekend getaways, or everyday hauling.  The real differences show up inside the 2026 CR-V, which introduces thoughtful updates to comfort and technology. It retains the sleek, horizontal dashboard design of the current generation, but now offers upgraded soft-touch materials across more trims, new interior color choices, and additional USB-C charging ports in both rows for added convenience. The infotainment system has also been enhanced with quicker response and refreshed graphics for a modern feel.  Both model years include premium touches such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the 2026 CR-V raises the bar with a standard 9-inch touchscreen (up from a 7-inch standard in 2025) and a wireless charging pad now included across the lineup. Higher trims continue to offer available leather seating, heated front seats, and a 12-speaker premium audio system for a truly refined driving experience.

Trim Line-up

One of the biggest changes between the two model years comes in the trim lineup.  For 2025, the CR-V is offered in six trims: LX, EX, Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Sport Touring. The LX, EX, and EX-L feature the turbocharged gas engine, while the Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring come exclusively with the hybrid powertrain. All-wheel drive is optional across most of the lineup, but standard on the Sport Touring.  The base LX trim comes well-equipped with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth seats, automatic climate control, a 7-inch infotainment screen, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Honda Sensing.  Moving up to the EX adds on 18-inch wheels, a moonroof, heated mirrors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power driver’s seat.  The Sport Hybrid offers efficient performance with black 18-inch wheels, gloss-black trim, unique seat accents, driver’s memory seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob.  Luxury can be yours in the EX-L, which boasts  leather seating, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging, 8-speaker audio, and low-speed braking control.  Step up your game in the Sport-L Hybrid which adds leather seats, a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, wireless charging, parking sensors, and a power tailgate.  The top-tier Sport Touring Hybrid comes with  standard AWD, premium Bose 12-speaker audio, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, and 19-inch wheels for a premium finish.

The latest iteration of the Honda CR-V reshaped the 2026  lineup into seven trims, adding more variety, especially for hybrid and adventure-ready buyers.  THe LX comes with LED headlights, cloth seats, push-button start, and the core Honda Sensing safety features.  Next up, the EX offers a one-touch power moonroof, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and smart entry with walk-away auto lock.  Showcasing gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, hybrid power, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with orange stitching, the Sport Hybrid is fancy and efficient.  The EX-L’s leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, power tailgate, and upgraded 8-speaker audio system make your daily commute a breeze, while the weekend awaits with the adventure-ready TrailSport Hybrid, which comes with all-terrain tires, Real Time AWD, a 4-mode drive system, and rugged 18-inch alloy wheels.  The Sport-L Hybrid brings luxury and a greener footprint with leather seating with orange stitching, a premium audio upgrade, and dual exhaust finishers.  The range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid brings it all together with Bose premium audio, Google Built-in, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and all the advanced hybrid features.

Folsom Lake Honda Dealership

With roots dating back almost three decades, the Honda CR-V remains one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the nation! The 2026 Honda CR-V and the 2025 Honda CR-V are ready and waiting to impress you at Folsom Lake Honda, and we can’t wait to earn your business! Customers from Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Shingle Springs, and Elk Grove can confirm with confidence our friendly service and intelligent staff, as well as our huge inventory of pre-owned and new cars, trucks and SUVs!  We are happy to assist you in the car buying process, whether it's questions about finance, pre-owned or new vehicles, parts or service.   We hope you can come on down to Folsom Lake Honda to experience the best in service and all of the Folsom Lake Honda deals we have to offer.  We know a few key updates can make a big difference, so we thank you for joining Folsom Lake Honda in this comparison of the specs of the 2026 Honda CR-V and the 2025 Honda CR-V.