The best Honda SUV for most people is the CR-V Hybrid. It gets up to 40 MPG, seats five, and costs far less than the bigger Passport and Pilot. But the right pick depends on your family, your budget, and how you drive.
Honda sells five SUVs for 2026, and the lineup is changing. The Prologue electric SUV is ending after this model year, and the Passport was redesigned. This guide ranks all five using Honda’s pricing, EPA mileage, and crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Prices are before the destination fee of about $1,500 and will change.
Best Honda SUV: Quick Picks
- Best overall: Honda CR-V Hybrid
- Best for adventure and safety: Honda Passport
- Best for big families: Honda Pilot
- Best on a budget: Honda HR-V
- Best electric: Honda Prologue (ends after 2026)
Honda SUVs at a Glance
| SUV | Seats | Price from | MPG (combined) | IIHS 2026 award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | 5 | $31,520 | 30 (40 hybrid) | None |
| Honda HR-V | 5 | $26,500 | 27 to 28 | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Honda Passport | 5 | $44,950 | 20 to 21 | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Honda Pilot | 7 to 8 | $42,195 | 20 to 22 | None |
| Honda Prologue (EV) | 5 | $39,900 | 308-mile range | None |
Prices are starting MSRP before destination. The CR-V price is the 2027 model, and the others are 2026 models. MPG is for the base setup and varies by trim and drive type. Sources: Honda, CarGurus and IIHS.
What Changed for 2026 and 2027
Several things moved this year, and many older guides miss them.
- CR-V: The 2027 base model costs $600 more than the 2026, according to U.S. News.
- Passport: Honda redesigned it for 2026, and the starting price rose by $2,350, according to The Fast Lane Car.
- Prologue: Honda cut its price by $7,500 in April, Electrek reports. Honda then said it will end Prologue sales after the 2026 model year. That leaves Honda with no electric SUV for 2027.
The 5 Best Honda SUVs for 2026
1. Honda CR-V – Best Overall
The Honda CR-V is the SUV most Honda shoppers should look at first. It seats five, has lots of cargo room, and the hybrid is the efficiency star of the lineup. Edmunds recommends the TrailSport Hybrid, which has standard all-wheel drive and a rugged look.
- Best for: most families, commuters, and anyone who wants one SUV for everything
- Starting price: $31,520 for the gas LX. Hybrids start at $36,030.
- Fuel economy: 30 MPG combined for front-wheel-drive gas and 29 with all-wheel drive. The hybrid gets 40 MPG, or 37 with all-wheel drive. The TrailSport Hybrid gets 35.
- Cargo: up to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded on the gas model
- IIHS award: None for 2026
- Downside: IIHS rated the CR-V Poor in one crash test. See the safety section below.
2. Honda Passport – Best for Adventure and Safety
Honda redesigned the Passport for 2026 with a boxier body and more ground clearance. It has a standard 285-hp V6 engine and all-wheel drive. IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award, the best result of any Honda SUV on this list along with the HR-V.
- Best for: weekend adventures, light towing, and safety-first buyers who need five seats
- Starting price: about $44,950. The TrailSport starts near $48,650.
- Fuel economy: 21 MPG combined for the RTL and 20 for the TrailSport
- Cargo: 44 cubic feet behind the back seat and 83.8 with it folded, according to CarGurus
- Towing: up to 5,000 pounds. The TrailSport includes the trailering equipment, and the RTL needs the Towing package.
- IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for 2026
- Downside: It costs a lot and drinks gas. There is no hybrid and no third row.
3. Honda Pilot – Best for Big Families
The Honda Pilot is the only Honda SUV with a third row. It seats up to eight, or seven on the TrailSport. CarGurus calls it Honda’s best SUV for larger families because practicality is its strongest trait. Want to see how its third row compares with rivals? Check our list of the most spacious 3rd row SUVs.
- Best for: families with three or more kids, or anyone who carpools
- Starting price: about $42,195 before destination, or $43,690 with it
- Fuel economy: 20 to 22 MPG combined
- Cargo: 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.5 behind the second row, and about 87 with both rows folded. Honda lists more space if you store the removable second-row middle seat.
- Car seats: Honda lists lower LATCH anchors in every second-row seat and one third-row seat, plus tether anchors in the second and third rows.
- Towing: up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped
- Drivetrain: a 285-hp V6. All-wheel drive is standard on the TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition, and optional on the rest.
- IIHS award: None for 2026
- Downside: There is no hybrid, so gas mileage is average for the class.
4. Honda HR-V – Best on a Budget
The HR-V is Honda’s smallest and cheapest SUV. It borrows many features from the CR-V, and it earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS. That is a strong result at this price.
- Best for: city driving, solo drivers, couples, and small families
- Starting price: about $26,500
- Fuel economy: 27 to 28 MPG combined
- Cargo: 24.4 cubic feet behind the back seat
- IIHS award: Top Safety Pick+ for 2026
- Downside: The 158-hp engine feels slow, and CarGurus says the back seat is not comfortable. Blind-spot monitoring starts at the Sport trim.
5. Honda Prologue – Best Electric (While You Can Still Buy It)
The Prologue is Honda’s only electric SUV. It is built with General Motors and shares many parts with the Chevy Blazer EV. Honda cut the price by $7,500 in April after the federal EV tax credit ended, so it is now a much better deal. But sales end after the 2026 model year. Honda says it will keep supporting owners with parts, service, and warranty coverage.
- Best for: commuters who can charge at home and want an electric SUV at a lower price
- Starting price: about $39,900 for the front-wheel-drive EX
- Range: up to 308 miles with front-wheel drive, and 283 to 294 miles with all-wheel drive
- Cargo: about 24 to 25 cubic feet behind the back seat
- IIHS award: None for 2026
- Downside: It is being discontinued, so check parts and resale value before you buy.
What the Crash Tests Say
IIHS’s 2026 Top Safety Pick+ list includes two Honda SUVs, the HR-V and the Passport. The CR-V and Pilot did not earn an award.
The CR-V scored Good in the small overlap and side crash tests. But IIHS rated it Poor in the updated moderate overlap front test, which applies to 2023 to 2026 models. Its standard crash prevention systems earned Acceptable ratings. The CR-V is still a popular choice, but this is worth knowing before you buy.
If crash-test results are your top priority, look at the Passport or HR-V first. If you want a CR-V, check the current IIHS rating for the exact model year before you sign.
How Honda SUVs Score With J.D. Power
J.D. Power rates the CR-V and Pilot 83 out of 100, the HR-V 82, and the Passport 81. The scores are close, so they should not decide your pick. One caution: J.D. Power says the Passport score is last year’s rating carried over, because the SUV was redesigned for 2026.
J.D. Power also shows what shoppers are paying. That is about $28,100 to $38,700 for the CR-V, $38,500 to $57,300 for the Pilot, $23,900 to $33,600 for the HR-V, and $40,900 to $54,700 for the Passport. Use these ranges as a guide when you negotiate.
CR-V Trims: Which One Should You Buy?
- LX ($31,520): the value pick for the gas model
- EX ($33,550): adds dual-zone climate control and heated front seats
- EX-L ($35,800): adds leather seats and a power tailgate
- Sport Hybrid ($36,030): the cheapest way into the hybrid
- TrailSport Hybrid ($39,200): standard all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and rugged styling. This is Edmunds’ pick.
- Sport Touring Hybrid ($42,950): adds Bose audio and Google built-in
CR-V Gas or Hybrid? A Quick Cost Check
The hybrid costs more up front, so the fuel savings take a while to pay you back. Here is a simple example for a driver who covers 12,000 miles a year.
- A gas CR-V EX at 30 MPG uses about 400 gallons a year.
- A CR-V Sport Hybrid at 40 MPG uses about 300 gallons a year.
- That saves about 100 gallons. At $3.50 a gallon, it is about $350 a year. At $4.50, it is about $450.
- The Sport Hybrid costs $2,480 more than the EX. That is roughly 7 years to break even at $3.50, or 5.5 years at $4.50.
Pick the hybrid if you drive a lot or plan to keep the car for years. If you drive less, the gas CR-V is the smarter buy.
Which Is the Best Honda SUV for You?
- One SUV for everything: Honda CR-V
- Best gas mileage: CR-V Hybrid
- Lowest price: Honda HR-V
- Three rows or a big family: Honda Pilot
- Off-road weekends and towing: Honda Passport TrailSport
- Best crash-test record: Honda Passport or HR-V
- Electric: Honda Prologue, while supplies last
A Note on Tires for Honda SUV Owners
The TrailSport models come with all-terrain tires. They grip better off-road, but they cost more to replace and can lower your MPG. The Fast Lane Car says the Passport TrailSport loses 1 to 2 MPG compared with the RTL.
Own an older CR-V? See our guide to the best all-season tires for the 2021 Honda CR-V. If your dash light is on, learn how to reset the tire pressure light on a Honda CR-V.
FAQ
What is the best Honda SUV?
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is the best Honda SUV for most buyers. It has the best mileage, a good price, and plenty of space. The Pilot is better for big families, and the Passport is better for adventure and safety.
Which Honda SUV is the safest?
The HR-V and the Passport earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2026. The CR-V and Pilot did not earn an award.
Which Honda SUV has a third row?
Only the Honda Pilot has a third row. It seats up to eight and does not come as a hybrid.
Which Honda SUV gets the best gas mileage?
The CR-V Hybrid gets up to 40 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. The Prologue is fully electric and goes up to 308 miles on a charge.
Is Honda discontinuing the Prologue?
Yes. Honda says Prologue sales will end after the 2026 model year. Honda will still support current owners.
Bottom Line
The best Honda SUV is the one that fits your life. The CR-V Hybrid is the best all-rounder, the Passport is the safest and most rugged, and the Pilot has the room for a big family. The HR-V saves money, and the Prologue is a good deal if you want an EV and can accept that it is ending.
Before you buy, check the current IIHS rating for your model year and compare the gas and hybrid costs. Need a third row? Read our list of the most spacious 3rd row SUVs for more options.