Video: The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Is a Well-Rounded Compact SUV: Review

The Honda CR-V hybrid finished first in our ride quality category, tied for first in visibility, but in nearly every judging category was near the top, giving it a second place finish for our second compact SUV challenge in a row. The CR-V walked away with our ride quality category. It's comfortable and composed whether we were on city streets, cruising on the highway, carving up canyon roads. It's just a really pleasant vehicle to drive. Even if Honda tunes their suspensions a little on the stiff side, this was the ride quality king. if you're concerned about fuel efficiency, the CR-V hybrid was the second most efficient in our test at 34.4 miles per gallon behind only the Toyota RAV4. The CR-V is also spacious with the third largest cargo area in our test at just over 20 cubic feet. The interior of the CR-V hybrid may not be as well appointed as a Volkswagen Tiguan, but it's just as well built. The materials, the build quality all field topnotch. It's not quite pushing luxury, but it's pushing quality. With a nearly $45,000 starting price the CR-V hybrid is one of the most expensive in the test, but it's held back by missing features that less expensive competitors have, like a 360-degree camera system, head-up display, or ventilated seats. To do well in our challenges, an SUV has to perform in pretty much every category and the CR-V certainly does. It's very good to drive, it's fuel efficient, and it's spacious. It's a well-rounded compact SUV, and it's sure to tick a lot of shoppers boxes. You can see the full results and how these SUVs performed in the categories that matter most to you at cars.com. (exciting music)