The new Honda Off-Road App offers data displays and video sharing features for TrailSport models.

      Honda

      The latest in car news and reviews, no fluff.

      As Honda intensifies its focus on off-road-ready SUVs, the company is introducing additional software features for its current TrailSport models through a new app and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. Owners of 2026-model-year CR-V TrailSport, Passport TrailSport, and Pilot TrailSport models can download the Honda Trail Experience (HTX) app for free from the Apple App Store (Android users currently do not have access).

      The HTX app resides on the user’s iPhone and is displayed on the infotainment system via CarPlay. It can access vehicle data, offering 11 readouts that include elevation, pitch, roll, brake pressure, throttle position, speed, engine temperature, outside temperature, tire angle, latitude, and longitude. Drivers can select up to six readouts to display simultaneously on the infotainment touchscreen. The app also allows data logging alongside maps for drivers wishing to revisit specific routes.

      Additionally, drivers can create videos of their trail experiences with data overlays and share them on social media. Video and audio capture are managed by the iPhone's camera and microphone, respectively, but are controlled via the touchscreen and the same wireless connection used for other CarPlay functions. This flexibility allows the phone to be mounted anywhere, even outside the vehicle, or held by a spotter.

      Honda conducted tests of the app with a group of off-road enthusiasts of various skill levels during a gathering in January 2026 at The Overland Company in Troy, North Carolina. The group consisted of TrailSport owners and owners of other vehicle brands, as per a Honda press release, and their feedback will guide upcoming updates and improvements to HTX.

      While other automakers offer similar features in their infotainment systems, Honda should be commended for providing HTX through Apple CarPlay at no additional cost instead of reserving it for a future refresh. This move aligns well with Honda's strategy to expand the presence of the TrailSport badge and its commitment to off-roading.

      Although the CR-V TrailSport may not be the most adventurous option, the Passport TrailSport has proven to be a successful model, impressing us initially and throughout a 13,000-mile long-term evaluation. This could be just the start, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Honda develop a rival to the Land Cruiser to leverage the current off-road trend, similar to new body-on-frame models being introduced by Nissan and Hyundai to attract off-road enthusiasts.