2026 Honda HR-V EX-L: O’Fallon Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: 2026 Honda HR-V EX-L

The EX-L tops the 2026 HR-V lineup at $30,350 MSRP (plus $1,450 destination), roughly $4,050 above LX. It runs the same 158-hp 2.0-liter engine and CVT as every HR-V, the EX-L’s case is comfort and refinement: leather-trimmed seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a one-touch power moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, an 8-speaker 180-watt audio system, and 18-inch wheels in their own finish. Real Time AWD adds $1,500. Frank Leta Honda, 500 Auto Mall Drive in O’Fallon, stocks EX-L models alongside Honda Certified Pre-Owned HR-Vs.

One-touch power moonroof open in the 2026 Honda HR-V EX-L, city skyline visible
The one-touch power moonroof is EX-L exclusive on the 2026 HR-V, neither LX nor Sport offers it. Photo: Honda.

The comfort trim, not the performance trim

Like every 2026 HR-V, the EX-L carries the same 158-horsepower engine and CVT as LX and Sport, so the case for spending more here isn’t about how it drives, it’s about how it feels to sit in every day. Leather-trimmed seats replace cloth, the driver’s seat gets 8-way power adjustment instead of a manual lever, and dual-zone automatic climate control means the driver and front passenger stop arguing over the temperature dial. The one-touch power moonroof is exclusive to EX-L on this generation, neither LX nor Sport offers it at any price. Front and rear parking sensors help in tighter O’Fallon parking lots, and the 8-speaker, 180-watt audio system is a real step up from Sport’s 6-speaker setup if music quality matters to you.

EX-L also picks up Footwell Ambient Lighting and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, small touches that add up in daily use even if they never make a spec-sheet headline. The 18-inch wheels carry their own finish here, distinct from Sport’s gloss-black set, giving the EX-L a more understated, upscale look rather than Sport’s blacked-out styling.

Who the EX-L is for

EX-L suits a buyer who’s already sold on the HR-V’s size and Honda reliability and wants the nicest version of it rather than the sportiest-looking one, someone cross-shopping a small crossover against a compact sedan’s comfort features rather than another SUV’s off-road credentials. JoAnne Ashcraft’s experience trading into an HR-V here captures that kind of relationship: “Thank you Kyler Degaeto for helping me with the purchase of my new Honda HR-V and great trade in of my Accord…Kyler was patient and understanding in helping me find the new Honda that is perfect for me. Thanks again Kyler Degaeto!” A trade-in handled fairly and a salesperson who listens to what “perfect for me” actually means shows up again and again in Frank Leta Honda’s HR-V reviews.

Real Time AWD is the same flat $1,500 on EX-L as on LX and Sport, bringing it to $31,850 before destination, worth factoring in if St. Charles County’s freezing-rain winters are part of your daily commute.

Frequently asked questions

What does the EX-L add over the Sport?

Leather-trimmed seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a one-touch power moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, an 8-speaker 180-watt audio system, Footwell Ambient Lighting, and an auto-dimming mirror, for roughly $2,050 more than Sport.

Does the EX-L have a moonroof?

Yes, a one-touch power moonroof, and it’s exclusive to EX-L on the 2026 HR-V. Neither LX nor Sport offers a moonroof at any price on this generation.

Is the EX-L worth the extra money over LX?

If leather, power seating, dual-zone climate, and the moonroof matter to your daily comfort, yes, that’s the entire case for EX-L since the mechanical experience is identical across the lineup. If those items don’t matter to you, LX or Sport deliver the same drive for less.

What’s the top trim on the 2026 Honda HR-V?

EX-L. The HR-V’s lineup runs LX, Sport, EX-L, three trims total, with no fourth tier above EX-L the way some other Honda models offer.

Does the EX-L come with all-wheel drive?

Not standard. Front-wheel drive is standard on every 2026 HR-V trim including EX-L; Real Time AWD is a $1,500 option, the same price as on LX and Sport.

Where to see one

EX-L availability moves quickly given how it stacks comfort features against a still-approachable price. Check current EX-L inventory or call 636-339-3361 before heading to 500 Auto Mall Drive in O’Fallon.

All 2026 Honda HR-V guides

MSRP figures exclude the $1,450 destination charge plus tax, title, registration, options, and dealer-installed accessories; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are 2026 EPA ratings; your mileage will vary. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Frank Leta Honda. Customer quote is an excerpt from a public Google review of Frank Leta Honda.