How much can a 2027 Honda CR-V tow? What Sacramento drivers should know
Honda publishes a towing rating, in pounds, for each 2027 CR-V and CR-V Hybrid trim, and every trailer and its load must stay under that figure. In Sacramento, California’s own trailer rules apply on top of it, and Capital City Honda on Fulton Avenue sells both versions new. Honda’s published 2026 model year ratings are 1,500 lbs for gasoline CR-V trims and 1,000 lbs for hybrids.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Sacramento. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
What each 2027 Honda CR-V trim is rated to tow
Honda’s published 2026 model year ratings put every gasoline CR-V trim at 1,500 lbs and every hybrid trim at 1,000 lbs. Total trailer weight, including cargo, has to stay under the figure for your trim.
The gasoline trims are the CR-V LX, EX and EX-L, in both 2WD and AWD. The hybrids are the CR-V Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, and each is rated at 1,000 lbs. If you plan to pull a trailer, check the trim you are buying against the weight you plan to haul before you sign.
How do the 2027 CR-V and CR-V Hybrid compare on towing and published figures?
The gasoline CR-V can tow more than the CR-V Hybrid. Gasoline trims are rated at 1,500 lbs, and hybrid trims at 1,000 lbs, based on Honda’s 2026 model year figures.
| Model (2026 model year) | Max towing, Honda’s published rating | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| CR-V gasoline | 1,500 lbs (LX, EX, EX-L) | AWD |
| CR-V Hybrid | 1,000 lbs (Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid) | AWD |
| CR-V TrailSport Hybrid | 1,000 lbs | AWD |
If towing is the main job, the gasoline CR-V is the one to measure your trailer against. The hybrid gives up 500 lbs of rated towing on every trim.
What equipment does a 2027 Honda CR-V need before it tows?
Honda’s towing rating comes with a procedure, not just a number. The 2027 CR-V owner’s manual lists these steps in this order:
1. Check the load limits before driving. Total trailer weight, including cargo, must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg). WARNING: Exceeding any load limit or improperly loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed. Check the loading of your vehicle and trailer carefully before starting to drive.
2. Make sure the tongue load is approximately 10% of the total trailer weight. Start by loading 60% of the load toward the front of the trailer and 40% toward the rear, and readjust as needed.
3. Use a hitch of an approved type, properly bolted to the underbody.
4. Always use safety chains. Leave enough slack to turn corners easily, but do not let the chains drag on the ground.
5. Do not tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic system for trailer brakes. If the trailer has brakes, they must be electronically actuated.
6. Have all towing equipment properly installed and maintained, and consult the trailer maker for installation and setup. Have a dealer install a Honda wiring harness and converter; any connector should be installed only by a qualified technician.
7. Before driving, have the trailer properly serviced, securely attach the hitch, safety chains and other parts, and secure all items in and on the trailer so they do not shift.
8. Check that the trailer lights and brakes work, and check the trailer tire pressure, including the spare.
9. Turn off the Auto Idle Stop system with its OFF button, because trailer weight can affect brake effectiveness on a hill.
10. Turn off the rear parking sensor system and the rear Low Speed Braking Control system through the rear sensor setting, as they may alert or activate on the towed object.
11. Drive slower than normal, obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers, and use the (D) position on level roads. Operating speed must not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h); with a fixed-sided trailer such as a camper, do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
12. Turn more slowly with a wider turning arc, allow more time and distance for braking, and do not brake or turn suddenly.
13. Avoid towing a trailer during the vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km).
(Honda, 2027 CR-V Owner’s Manual, “Towing a Trailer”)
What does California require when you tow a trailer with a CR-V?
California sets the maximum speed for a vehicle towing a trailer at 55 mph unless a different limit is posted (California DMV, 2026). It also requires a trailer of 1,500 pounds gross weight or more to carry its own brakes on at least two wheels. Sacramento drivers follow both, whatever the CR-V’s own rating allows.
The California Driver Handbook adds that the ideal maximum speed on most California highways is 65 mph, and 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers (California DMV, 2026). The brake requirement comes from the Vehicle Code, which says:
“Every trailer coach and every camp trailer having a gross weight of 1,500 pounds or more, but exclusive of passengers, shall be equipped with brakes on at least two wheels which are adequate, supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454.” (California Vehicle Code § 26303)
A trailer that weighs 1,500 pounds or more, loaded, needs its own brakes before it goes on a Sacramento road.
What does it cost to register a trailer in California?
A trailer registered in California carries a one-time $20 Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) fee at its first registration, as an original or conversion (California DMV, Appendix 1F). The DMV lists two more PTI fees: a $10 service fee for renewal, due every five years, and a $7 transfer fee when ownership of the trailer changes (California DMV, Appendix 1F).
Budget for the $20 at first registration, the $10 every five years after that, and the $7 if you ever sell the trailer.
Which Honda SUVs and trucks have a higher tow rating than the CR-V?
Honda’s 2026 model year Passport is rated at 5,000 lbs in every trim, including the RTL, TrailSport and TrailSport Elite, with and without Blackout. The 2026 Pilot tows up to 5,000 lbs with all-wheel drive and 3,500 lbs with two-wheel drive (Honda, 2026).
Both are well above the CR-V’s 1,500 lbs for gasoline trims. If your trailer is heavier than a CR-V can pull, the Passport and the AWD Pilot are the Honda models to start with. The Ridgeline is also among the new models Capital City Honda lists.
FAQ
What is the EPA fuel economy of the 2027 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
The 2026 model year CR-V Hybrid AWD is rated by EPA at 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined. The gasoline AWD CR-V is rated at 29 mpg combined, so the hybrid’s fuel figures are higher.
How many people and how much cargo does the 2027 Honda CR-V hold?
Honda’s 2026 figures for the CR-V LX (2WD) give 41.3 inches of legroom in the first row and 41 inches in the second. Maximum cargo space is 76.5 cubic feet, and cargo space behind the first row is 39.3 cubic feet. The EX, EX-L and AWD trims carry the same legroom and cargo figures.
What does a new 2027 Honda CR-V cost?
Honda’s 2027 pricing lists the CR-V LX (2WD) at $31,520 starting MSRP, the lowest-priced gasoline CR-V (Honda, 2027). The lowest-priced hybrid, the Sport Hybrid (2WD), starts at $36,030. The Sport Touring Hybrid (AWD) starts at $42,950.
How do I book a test drive of a CR-V at Capital City Honda in Sacramento?
You can book a test drive by phone. Sales hours are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday and on Sunday, and the showroom is open seven days a week.
How do I get a trade-in offer on my current vehicle before I buy a CR-V?
Trade-in visits to the Fulton Ave store in Sacramento work with or without an appointment. Bring your current car and the trim you want to compare.
How do I apply for financing on a new Honda at Capital City Honda?
Financing here covers Honda leases, new Honda loans and pre-owned car loans. There is a secure online finance application to start. When a lease contract ends, the car is returned at the dealership.
Buy your 2027 Honda CR-V at Capital City Honda on Fulton Avenue in Sacramento
Our sales hours are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday and on Sunday, and the showroom is open seven days a week.
Our Google record is 4.5 stars across 3,088 reviews (Google, 2026), and 82% of those reviews are five-star. In a July 2026 Google review, Shahzoda M. wrote:
“We had a great experience at Capital City Honda. Our salesperson, Patricia, provided outstanding customer service from start to finish. She was knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to answer all of our questions without making us feel pressured. She guided us through every step of the car-buying process, explained our options clearly, and made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Her professionalism, honesty, and friendly attitude made us feel confident in our purchase. We truly appreciate her dedication and highly recommend Patricia and Capital City Honda to anyone looking for a positive and hassle-free car-buying experience.”
To start, call Capital City Honda on Fulton Avenue to book a test drive of the CR-V trim that matches your trailer. Bring the weight of the trailer and its load with you, so the trim you choose stays under its rating.
Capital City Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Sacramento showroom, or call 916-514-4085.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Capital City Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.