2026 Honda CR-V EX-L: Elyria Buyers Guide

The turbo trim built for daily comfort

If the EX solved the practical stuff, the EX-L solves the small annoyances that build up over years of ownership. The power tailgate, programmable to a height that clears a low garage door, means groceries don't require a free hand for the trunk. Parking sensors front and rear take the guesswork out of tight Elyria parking lots. Driver's-seat memory means two drivers in the same household stop fighting over seat position every time they swap keys, and the power passenger seat is a genuine comfort upgrade on longer trips. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, new for 2026 on this trim and above, replaces the analog gauges with a sharper, more configurable display.

All of it sits on the same reliable 1.5-liter turbo platform the LX and EX use, so the EX-L isn't trading performance for comfort, it's simply the trim where Honda stops holding back the nicer materials and conveniences.

EX-L or step into a hybrid?

At $35,400, the EX-L sits almost exactly between the EX and the Sport Hybrid ($35,630), which puts a real decision in front of shoppers at this price point: stick with the familiar turbo and get EX-L's comfort features, or pay about the same money for the Sport Hybrid's 43 mpg city rating but lose the leather and power tailgate until Sport-L Hybrid. Buyers who drive mostly highway miles between Elyria and Cleveland often prefer the EX-L's simplicity and its slightly quicker turbo response; buyers doing stop-and-go errands around town usually come out ahead with the hybrid's fuel savings. One recent EX-L buyer described the process without hesitation: her salesperson "made sure everything stayed within my budget," a common thread in reviews of the store's approach to trim comparisons like this one.

Frequently asked questions

What does the EX-L add over the EX?

Leather-trimmed seating, a programmable power tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming mirror, driver's-seat memory, a power front passenger seat, and the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, for about $2,250 more before destination.

Is the EX-L a hybrid?

No. EX-L keeps the 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo engine. All four hybrid trims for 2026 sit above it in price: Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid.

Does the EX-L have a power tailgate?

Yes, with a programmable maximum height, useful for a lower garage ceiling or simply to avoid the tailgate swinging into a parked car next to you.

What's the EX-L's towing capacity?

Up to 1,500 pounds properly equipped, the same as the LX and EX, since towing capacity follows the 1.5-liter turbo powertrain rather than trim level.

Is EX-L or Sport Hybrid the better buy?

They're priced within $230 of each other. EX-L wins on leather and the power tailgate; Sport Hybrid wins on fuel economy (43 mpg city vs. 28) but keeps cloth seats until Sport-L Hybrid. Highway-heavy drivers tend to prefer EX-L; city commuters tend to prefer the hybrid.

Test drive one at Great Lakes Honda West

EX-L models are usually on the lot at Great Lakes Honda West, 823 Leona Street, Elyria. Reach the sales team at (440) 366-5501 to confirm color and AWD availability.