2026 Honda Passport TrailSport: Honda’s Most Rugged SUV Yet
by AutoExpert | 13 November, 2024
Meet the all-new 2026 Honda Passport, which Honda claims is its most rugged SUV yet. Particularly in the TrailSport trim, Honda has added some serious off-road upgrades like an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, steel recovery points, and real bash plates to protect the underside.
The design has a rugged edge, with a front end that nods subtly to the Japan-only Honda Crossroad. This new Passport sits higher than its predecessor, offering better approach angles thanks to a shorter front overhang.
It’s also bigger, with an inch more width and a 2.75-inch longer wheelbase, which gives it a stronger stance, especially with the flared fenders and prominent hood scoop. Bold “PASSPORT” lettering now spans the front fascia and steel tailgate, and all models come standard with 18-inch wheels on 31-inch tires. For outdoor enthusiasts, Honda has expanded its accessory range, offering options like rock sliders, roof platforms, and aluminum scuff plates.
And for a nostalgic touch, they’ve even brought back the foldable picnic table that fans of older Passports and CR-Vs might remember. The TrailSport line, first launched in 2022, was originally more of a visual upgrade than a serious off-road package. The 2026 TrailSport and TrailSport Elite editions introduce functional skid plates that can support the vehicle's weight.
Honda has equipped TrailSport models with General Grabber all-terrain tires co-developed with General Tire and an off-road-tuned suspension that adds extra ground clearance. Honda has designed bright orange recovery points at the front and rear to support twice the Passport's gross weight. The all-wheel-drive system gets its own custom logic, and new trail cameras help you track your wheels on rugged paths. Honda designed the Passport's platform with off-road capability in mind, enhancing the ride, handling, and overall refinement of the entire lineup.
The chassis is stronger, with a 72% increase in front lateral rigidity and 50% more rear torsion rigidity. Under the hood, there’s a familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Inside, the Passport is more spacious than ever, offering up to 83.5 cubic feet behind the first row and 44 cubic feet behind the second, with a larger underfloor storage compartment.
Comfort features include new “body stabilizing” seats, a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel with TrailSport-specific displays for elevation, pitch, and roll, and a 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google apps. There’s also a new Bose 12-speaker sound system, and TrailSport models add a 110V power outlet in the center console. Honda hasn’t shared exact pricing yet but says the starting price will be around the mid-$40,000s.