The 2026 Honda CR-V lineup opens with two gas-powered trims that have far more in common than most shoppers expect. The LX and the EX share the same turbocharged engine, the same cargo hold, the same available all-wheel drive, and as of 2026, the same standard touchscreen. What separates them is equipment: how you sit, how you manage cabin temperature, how your passengers charge their phones, and one piece of driver-assistance hardware that appears on only one of the two. Neither trim is automatically the right answer. This guide lays out exactly what changes between them so you can match the CR-V to the way you actually drive.

Mechanically, these two trims are near twins. Both the LX and the EX run a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on both, and Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System is available on either one, so all-weather traction is not tied to trim level. Both carry the three-mode drive system with Normal, Econ, and Snow settings, and both are rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Fuel economy is identical as well, with EPA estimates of 28 city, 33 highway, and 30 combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 27 city, 31 highway, and 29 combined with all-wheel drive. Choosing between these trims will not change what you spend on fuel.

The one meaningful hardware difference is what each trim rolls on. The LX uses 17-inch steel wheels with covers and taller 235/65R17 all-season tires, which place more sidewall between the cabin and rough pavement. The EX uses 18-inch alloy wheels on 235/60R18 tires, a shorter sidewall with a different look. The LX is also marginally lighter at 3,472 pounds versus 3,497 pounds in front-wheel-drive form. The EX adds key fob remote engine start and heated side mirrors, two features that earn their keep in cold weather and go unused the rest of the year.

From the curb, the two trims share a footprint. Both measure 184.8 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, both seat five, and both deliver the same 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. LED headlights and taillights, LED daytime running lights, and rear privacy glass are standard on both.

Inside is where the trims separate. The EX adds heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, illuminated visor mirrors, Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, auto up and down operation on both front windows, and a one-touch power moonroof with tilt. The LX covers the fundamentals: manual height adjustment for the driver’s seat, single-zone climate control with an air-filtration system, and auto up and down on the driver’s window only.

The LX gains something in the trade. Because it skips the moonroof, it offers more front headroom at 40.0 inches versus 38.2 inches in the EX, and more total passenger volume at 106 cubic feet versus 103.5. That is a genuine consideration for taller drivers, and it is the one interior measurement where the base trim comes out ahead. Anyone near the upper end of the height range should sit in both before deciding.

Both trims benefit from the same round of 2026 technology updates. A 9-inch color touchscreen is now standard across the CR-V lineup, along with wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ compatibility and a Qi wireless charging pad. A 7-inch digital driver information display, Bluetooth® streaming audio, HondaLink, push button start, and Active Noise Cancellation are standard on the LX and EX alike.

Audio and charging are where the two diverge. The EX carries a 240-watt audio system with six speakers, while the LX runs a 160-watt system with four. The EX also adds a dedicated front USB-C charging port and two USB-C charging ports for rear passengers, where the LX provides none in the back seat.

On the safety side, Honda Sensing® is standard on every 2026 CR-V, LX included. Both trims come equipped with:

Both also share the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and a comprehensive airbag system that includes driver and passenger knee airbags and rear side airbags.

There is one difference in driver-assistance equipment, and it is worth understanding clearly. Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Monitor are standard on the EX and are not offered on the LX. How much weight that carries depends entirely on your driving. Frequent lane changes in heavy highway traffic and backing out of crowded parking lots are exactly the situations those systems are built for. Drivers who spend most of their miles on familiar, low-traffic roads may find the standard Honda Sensing® suite covers what they need.

Because the powertrain, cargo space, and core safety suite are identical, this decision comes down to equipment and comfort rather than capability.

The LX is likely the better match if:

The EX is likely the better match if:

Specifications can narrow the field, but seating position, ride quality, and outward visibility are things you have to feel for yourself. Compare the 2026 CR-V LX and EX side by side at Delaney Honda in Indiana, PA, and schedule a test drive in whichever one you are leaning toward.