Honda’s 30-year favourite gets a 2026 refresh — and it’s still the smoothest mid-sized SUV in the game

A bunch of Australia’s favourite cars have come through a tweak and tickle for 2026, led by the Toyota HiLux and family favourite RAV4.

But what about Honda?

Its CR-V is now a 30-year veteran for the Japanese brand and also had some significant improvements this year, focussing on refinement and more hybrid driving. There is also a new emphasis on seven-seater SUV work – although the mid-sized Honda is more of a 5+2 proposition.

Honda’s top seller has always been a smooth operator and, on that side of the ledger, nothing has changed. It’s a nice drive in all conditions.

So the mid-life tweaking is all about refinement, value, and spreading the love.

It’s now available as a pure-combustion starter car from $44,900, but there are five hybrids spread up to the e:HEV RS with all the fruit at $64,400, as well as cars with third-row seating and all-wheel drive.

The sweet spot in the range, although it stretches the value equation, is the strangely-named e:HEV X at $58,900. It provided a lovely week of mid-sized SUV driving and reminded me of why Honda has been a long-term favourite for Australian families.

One thing which might be a concern for shoppers is a 4-Star ANCAP safety rating, but – and this is important – the car was tested back in 2023 and only missed the maximum five stars because it was missing a 360-degree camera system. So, hardly a safety failing.

The latest hybrid CR-V comes with a two-litre combustion engine and claimed economy of 5.5 litres/100km, so it can be quite spritely if you make the call and it’s possible to beat the fuel figure with a light foot in flowing traffic. It’s a package that will suit a lot of economy-conscious shoppers, without raising questions about a full EV upgrade.

What makes the CR-V so impressive, even in the over-crowded SUV battle ground, is the equipment and final finishing. The starter car is a bit plain, including a small display screen in a world where ‘bells and whistles’ entice so many buyers, but the test car has everything from a big screen to a phone charger pad – although it has to be to be (very) properly positioned – and heated seats, an electric back door and 18-inch alloys.

The cabin looks and feels plush for the price, the seats are well shaped, it’s quiet and everything works well. The push-button controls for the transmission can be a little confusing, but that’s a very minor thing on a short list of niggles including the charger pad.

The CR-V drives nicely, with a smooth ride that also provides good cornering grip. Considered against a bunch of Chinese rivals, it’s a cut above the newbie brands and continues its long-term rivalry with the RAV4.

Things can get noisy if you push all the way in the Sport driving mode, but few people are buying a car like this for sports-car driving.

It also comes with the 360-degree camera that cost it that ANCAP star.

At a time when the RAV is facing questions about its styling and waiting list and price, as well as the amount of upgrading in 2026, the CR-V stands strong.

The comfort and refinement is impressive, it has everything you need, fuel economy is good, and it is built – well, like a Honda.

The latest upgrade of the CR-V ticks all the right boxes and emphasises why it should be on the shopping list for anyone who wants a mid-sized SUV that’s more than just dollar-driven transport.

HONDA CR-V

Price: from $44,900
Position: 5 or 7-seater SUV
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder hybrid, 135kW/335Nm
Gearbox: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive
Economy: claimed 5.5 litres/100km
Safety: 4-star ANCAP
The tick: still a (very) smooth operator