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It’s no thriller that SUVs are well-liked today—simply rely what number of you cross on the best way out of your neighborhood. But over the previous a number of years, a shift has taken place in that section of the market, one influenced by American patrons’ love of journey and off-roading. Not solely has this benefited devoted body-on-frame automobiles, however it has additionally left its mark on automobiles that have been as soon as strictly soft-roaders designed for gravel trails and the occasional patch of slippery terrain. That’s why you see Hyundai SUVs that seem like Land Rovers and extra “mall crawlers” with low-level off-road tech. And it explains the existence of the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite we just lately examined.
A LONG PATH
You could bear in mind the primary two generations of the Honda Passport from the Nineties and early 2000s, when it was primarily a badge-engineered Isuzu Rodeo. After a protracted hiatus, Honda launched a second-generation Passport for the 2019 mannequin yr. Three years later, Honda went into uncharted territory with the first-ever Passport TrailSport, which was “created for active buyers who thrive on adventure.” It got here geared up with torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive and eight.1 inches of floor clearance however, in any other case, the TrailSport remedy was largely beauty. Fortunately, it was simply the beginning of the trail Honda was heading down. The automaker promised that “the off-road capability of the Passport TrailSport will increase further with possible future upgrades such as more aggressive tires and off-road tuned suspension.”
PASSPORT RENEWAL
That brings us to the 2026 Passport, which is all-new from the tires as much as the stronger roof rails. It’s based mostly on a considerably stiffer new chassis with a 2.7-inch longer wheelbase, and 1.3-inch wider (entrance) and 1.5-inch wider (rear) tracks. Everything round it’s new as nicely, together with the entrance suspension, multilink rear suspension, and bigger disc brakes. The second-generation torque-vectoring i-VTM4 system’s rear drive unit has a 40 p.c larger torque capability and responds 30 p.c quicker. The boxy physique covers a quieter, roomier cabin geared up with commonplace fatigue-reducing Body Stabilizing Seats within the first row, a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and wi-fi charging pad. Better digicam and radar protection, and new options (corresponding to Traffic Jam Assist and a Traffic Sign Recognition System), be part of the Honda Sensing suite of security and driver help applied sciences.
The all-new DOHC 3.5-liter V6 with higher-pressure direct gasoline injection and Variable Cylinder Management generates 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, making it essentially the most highly effective V6 Honda has ever provided within the U.S. Honda pairs that with the Passport’s first-ever 10-speed computerized.
There are three primary tiers to the Passport’s trim ranges: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite, however there are variations of every of these, together with the RTL Towing and Blackout variations of all three. Prices begin at $44,750*. Our TrailSport Elite had an MSRP of $52,450, which included the $455 TrailSport-exclusive Sunset Orange paint; complete as-tested worth was $54,355.
MORE THAN BADGES AND TRIM
Given that the 2026 Passport is predicated on unibody structure and doesn’t have low-range four-wheel drive or a locking differential, it’s straightforward to imagine that it’s a poser with its blockish bodywork, chunky rocker panel trim, and beefy tires. True, the Passport is not any Jeep Wrangler, however it’s not alleged to be. Plus, there’s operate to its type—and technique behind it. Much of that technique was targeted on defending the TrailSport from Mother Nature. Steel skid plates guard the oil pan, transmission, and gasoline tank. To maintain the TrailSport from scraping its chin, Honda shortened the entrance overhang and elevated the strategy angle to 23 levels. The breakover and departure angles are down barely from the 2025 mannequin’s figures (to 16.7 and 23.1 levels, respectively), however engineers tucked the exhaust suggestions behind the rear bumper in order that they don’t get crunched on rocks. Honda even went so far as equipping the enticing two-tone wheels with sunken valve stems to forestall them from getting mangled and leaking air.
Protection is vital, however so is progress. The TrailSport’s all-terrain rubber (275/60 General Grabbers) was a no brainer. Reduced stabilizer bar charges enhance the suspension’s articulation whereas the tuned dampers with decrease compression and better rebound damping strike a steadiness between pavement and path efficiency. All Passports have i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, however solely the TrailSport fashions have built-in “trail torque logic” for the rear finish. In sure circumstances, corresponding to when one tire has grip and the opposite is within the air, the characteristic sends as much as 75 p.c of accessible energy to the tire with essentially the most traction and the rest to the opposite tire in order that full energy could be utilized instantly as soon as each of them hook up with strong floor. If the going will get a bit too tough, there are restoration factors on the entrance—together with one built-in into the engine/transmission skid plate—and rear.
INNER PEACE
The TrailSport’s cabin reveals the same stage of focus. Trail, Sand, and Tow modes carry the entire variety of accessible drive modes to seven. Keeping an eye fixed on the TrailSport Elite’s extremities is less complicated because of its commonplace TrailWatch digicam system, which supplies huge photographs of the entrance and rear ends, a birds-eye perspective, and aspect views. Off-road gauges within the instrument cluster present the TrailSport’s elevation, and pitch and roll angles.
Luckily, that dedication didn’t come on the expense of consolation or comfort. The TrailSport Elite provided lots to love in each rows of its Brown perforated leather-based seats. The design of the door panel trim regarded straight out of a high-end furnishings retailer. All the main controls have been laid out nicely and straightforward to achieve. The metallic knobs for the automated local weather management system regarded as good as they felt.
Accommodations within the second row have been surprisingly beneficiant. Headroom and legroom have been plentiful. It was virtually unattainable to not dial within the excellent temperature as a result of there have been guide aspect sunshades, a devoted local weather zone, and heated outboard seats. Lowering the again row elevated the TrailSport’s cargo capability from 44 to 83.2 cubic toes—greater than sufficient to hold a 51 x 17.5 x 29-inch chest of drawers to a Goodwill donation heart.
LAID BACK
On the street, the TrailSport’s lack of body-on-frame development and strong axles was its biggest benefit. Even with all-terrain tires and an off-road suspension, the TrailSport had a cushty, floaty experience. The steering was equally relaxed, going from feeling prefer it was in molasses to agency and heavy the extra I turned the wheel. It was really easy to modulate the brakes that it was onerous to discern the chew level within the pedal’s swing of journey.
The Passport’s V6 is predicated on a brand new block, topped with new cylinder heads, and stuffed with a brand new crankshaft and pistons. Despite these modifications and its milestone output ranges, the engine jogged my memory of the previous V6 within the 2025 Ridgeline TrailSport we reviewed earlier this yr. It by no means felt underpowered, however it didn’t really feel all that enthusiastic, both—it was a bit sleepy. Fortunately, the 10-speed auto was comparatively fast about leaping down a gear or two to wake it up, particularly in its sport setting. Another plus was that the brand new engine lived as much as its gasoline financial system scores. Officially, it’s able to returning 18 mpg within the metropolis, 23 on the freeway, and 20 mixed—my colleague Luke Lamendola and I averaged 22.8 mpg over the course of 434.9 miles.
To be taught much more concerning the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, take a look at Luke’s full video assessment under.
*Prices exclude $1,495 vacation spot cost
Click above and watch our full video assessment on YouTube!
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