The Honda Passport has always made sense on paper. It gives you more room than a CR-V, plenty of cargo space, a strong V6 and standard all-wheel drive, but without the third row of the larger Pilot. For 2026, Honda finally gives the Passport more personality. It gets a tougher look, more legitimate off-road capability and a much better interior. The V6 is still here, and the TrailSport versions now have hardware that actually backs up the rugged styling. This feels like the Passport Honda probably should have been building all along.
The New Passport Looks Much Better
Honda gave the 2026 Passport a wider, more upright stance with a bigger grille, flatter hood and more squared-off appearance.It no longer looks like Honda simply shortened a Pilot. The TrailSport models stand out even more with all-terrain tires, tow hooks, skid plates and additional ground clearance. And those pieces aren’t just for show. Honda clearly wants the Passport TrailSport to appeal to buyers who spend time on dirt roads, camping trails and rough access roads. It’s not a hardcore rock crawler, and it doesn’t need to be.
Honda Kept the V6
Every 2026 Passport gets a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system is also standard across the lineup. No front-wheel-drive version. No turbo four-cylinder. No hybrid. That hurts fuel economy, but plenty of buyers will see the naturally aspirated V6 as one of the Passport’s biggest selling points. Power is smooth, there’s plenty for passing and towing, and whether you spend $46,000 or $55,000, you’re getting the same basic drivetrain. I like that simplicity.
The TrailSport Is More Than an Appearance Package
This is where the new Passport separates itself from the old one. TrailSport versions get skid plates, all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, tow hooks, revised suspension tuning and Honda’s updated torque-vectoring AWD system. For most owners, that means more confidence in snow, gravel, mud and rough Forest Service roads. That’s really where this SUV belongs. You can drive it to work all week, then load it up Saturday and head somewhere the average crossover owner might think twice about going.
It’ll Tow 5,000 Pounds
The Passport is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s enough for a small camper, boat, utility trailer or a couple of ATVs. Honda also offers an RTL Towing trim for only $700 more than the standard RTL. If you tow but don’t care about the TrailSport look, that could be one of the better values in the lineup.
Fuel Economy Isn’t a Strong Point
Here’s the tradeoff for sticking with a V6 and standard AWD. Most Passport trims are rated around 19 mpg city, 25 highway and 21 combined. TrailSport versions come in around 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined. That’s not awful for a V6-powered midsize SUV, but it’s nowhere near what you’ll get from many hybrids. If fuel economy is your top priority, the Passport probably isn’t your SUV. You’re buying this for space, capability and V6 power.
There’s a Ton of Room Inside
Honda didn’t try to squeeze a tiny third row into the Passport. Instead, you get a roomy two-row SUV with about 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and roughly 83 cubic feet with those seats folded. That’s plenty for luggage, camping gear, bikes, dogs, sports equipment or a big Costco run. Rear passengers also get plenty of room, and the wide doors make loading kids and car seats easier. For families that only need five seats, this may actually be more useful than owning a three-row SUV with the back seats folded down most of the time anyway.
The Interior Finally Feels Current
A 12.3-inch touchscreen is now standard, along with a digital gauge display. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google built-in and over-the-air updates. More importantly, Honda still keeps the layout fairly straightforward. You don’t have to dig through multiple menus just to handle basic functions. TrailSport Elite models add features like Bose audio, ambient lighting, rear sunshades and Honda’s TrailWatch camera system. That camera system can help on tight trails, but it’s just as useful when you’re trying not to scrape a wheel against a curb.
How Much Does the 2026 Honda Passport Cost?
The Passport isn’t cheap anymore.
The RTL starts at $46,245 and includes leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, a power tailgate, Honda Sensing, V6 power and AWD.
The RTL Towing is $46,945.
The RTL Blackout is $47,445.
The TrailSport starts at $49,945 and adds the off-road equipment that really separates the Passport from a normal crossover.
The TrailSport Blackout is $51,145.
The TrailSport Elite starts at $53,945 and adds more luxury and technology, including TrailWatch.
The TrailSport Elite Blackout tops the lineup at $55,145.
Once you’re above $55,000, though, there are a lot of SUVs competing for that money.
Which Passport Would I Buy?
I’d go with the regular TrailSport. At $49,945, it gives you the equipment that makes this redesigned Passport interesting without pushing too far into luxury-SUV pricing. You get the tougher suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates and off-road hardware without spending another four or five grand. If you rarely leave pavement, I’d save the money and buy the RTL. Same V6. Same basic AWD system. Still plenty of equipment. The Blackout trims look good, but you’re mostly paying for appearance. Nothing wrong with that. Just know what you’re paying for.
The Passport Doesn’t Work for Everybody
The lack of a third row is the biggest limitation. If you regularly need six or seven seats, look at the Pilot or another three-row SUV. Fuel economy is another downside, and Honda offers only one powertrain. Some buyers will appreciate that simplicity. Others will wish there were a hybrid option.
Everyman Driver Take
The 2026 Honda Passport is a much more interesting SUV than the one it replaces. Honda took what the Passport already did well—space, comfort, V6 power and everyday usability—and finally gave it the tougher personality it was missing. I’d take a hard look at the TrailSport. It gives you the best mix of capability, equipment and price. For buyers who want a roomy two-row SUV, don’t need hybrid fuel economy and would rather have a naturally aspirated V6 than another small turbo engine, the new Passport deserves a look. And before you buy one, compare actual dealer pricing in your area at Quotes.EverymanDriver.com. MSRP is one number. What the dealer is actually willing to sell it for is the number that matters.
