2026 Honda Passport brings serious off-road capability to the lineup

The new 2026 Honda Passport, the SUV that the automaker is calling the “most off-road capable Honda SUV ever,” is now officially on its way to dealerships. Designed using the “Born Wild” concept, the new Passport highlights off-road ruggedness more than anything, with a set of features and packages ready to take on a Jeep at a moment’s notice.

The new Honda Passport is ready to get dirty

The Passport comes in three flavors: the base model RTL for $44,750, the $48,450 TrailSport, and the first-ever $52,450 TrailSport Elite. Under the hood of each version is a 3.5-liter V6, putting out 285 hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. No CVT anywhere to be seen.

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Also standard will be the second generation of Honda’s torque vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system, giving the Passport an edge on the off-road trail with 40% more torque and 30% faster response than the first generation. Honda claims that up to 70% of the engine’s torque can be sent to the rear axle, and 100% of that torque can be distributed to either the left or right rear wheel, depending on the scenario.

Seven individual drive modes are also available, ranging between Normal, Sport, Econ, Snow, Sand, Tow, and Trail, making sure that no terrain is safe from the Passport’s might.

Honda will also offer an expansive line of genuine accessories to complement your off-roading experience, including various 18-inch wheels, an aluminum front scuff plate, rock sliders with stainless-steel plates, cargo accessories, and a full-size spare all-terrain tire.

A rugged exterior meets a relatively plush cabin

The exterior sports a mildly aggressive, off-roady look with “Passport” stamped on both the front fascia and the steel tailgate. Flared fenders cover the model’s wider tracks and standard 18-inch wheels. For an even more aggressive touch, Honda’s $1,200 “Blackout Package” gives you black wheels, black lug nuts, and black Honda badges.

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The interior amenities depend on the trim you choose, but all should be able to keep you equally as comfy on pavement and dirt alike. The base RTL brings a 10.2-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display with Google built-in, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda’s front seats are both power adjustable and heated, so if the trail gets a little chilly, rest assured that your behind will stay cozy nonetheless.

All the cabin upholstery is leather-trimmed, even on the RTL, because even the cheapest model deserves a touch of class. Also placed throughout the interior are a plethora of storage solutions, from two-tier door bins to a tray by the shifter, a large center console, a passenger-side shelf, and a whopping 10 cupholders.

The Honda Passport TrailSport is where things get serious

The $48,450 TrailSport adds further touches of luxury with synthetic leather all around, a sliding panoramic sunroof, orange contrast stitching with embroidered TrailSport logos on the headrests, and all-season floor mats. Power folding mirrors and a heated windshield come standard.

Step up to the top-of-the-line $52,450 TrailSport Elite, and you get what you pay for. New additions at this level include perforated leather seats with piping, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear climate controls, rear door shades, expanded ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with a 16.4-liter subwoofer box.

If you’re serious about taking your Passport off the beaten path, the TrailSport trims are where you’ll want to be. 

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Right off the bat, the regular TrailSport touts standard off-road tuned suspension, optimized stabilizer bars, steel underbody skid plates, heavy-duty recovery hooks, TrailWatch camera system, and specially-engineered General Grabber all-terrain tires for your next weekend adventure to MOAB. 

The top-of-the-line TrailSport Elite adds the new TrailWatch camera system, with four camera views to help you keep an eye on treacherous obstacles around your car.

The TrailSport’s wheels can be finished in either Matte Shark Gray or Dark Tinted Clearcoat and feature sunken valve stems to avoid any sudden unwanted flats.

Final thoughts

It seems like Honda put some real thought into creating the new Passport. It’s an attractive rig, both inside and out, with enough capabilities to warrant its looks.

The TrailSport trims add serious equipment, but whether they’re worth the $50,000+ MSRP remains to be seen when these Passports hit the trails. Would you fork over the cash for a Honda Passport TrailSport or TrailSport Elite, or would you rather stick with an already pedigreed off-roader?

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