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All-new Honda Passport: 'Born Wild' and rugged redesign

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. [All images courtesy of Honda]

 

 

The 2026 Passport is a completely redesigned mid-size SUV that pushes Honda further into the ruggedized, adventure-ready market. The most off-road-capable Honda SUV ever will come in three flavors and sport increased ground clearance, off-road tuned suspension, specially developed all-terrain tires, and a more powerful 285-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with the model's first 10-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are standard for manual control, making Passport more fun to drive.

Honda says its Ohio-based development team ran with the theme of "Born Wild" for the redesign, and it shows. Passport, which will come in three trim levels (RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite), will start in the mid-$40,000s and be built exclusively at the Honda Auto Plant in Lincoln, AL. Its standard rugged features include off-road tuned suspension, expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities, robust steel skid plates, bright orange heavy-duty recovery hooks, and more to get weekend adventurers even farther down the trail or up the mountain.

Passport's new, more powerful 24-valve DOHC 3.5-L engine produces 285 hp (SAE net @ 6,100 rpm) and 262 lb-ft of torque (SAE net @ 5,000 rpm). One of the most powerful engines in its class, the all-aluminum V6 features low-profile cylinder heads with high-tumble ports and a narrow 35-degree valve angle for better combustion. The SUV comes standard with the second-gen Honda torque vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system, which features a stronger rear drive unit that can handle 40% more torque and provides 30% faster response. 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.

Seven standard selectable drive modes optimize the driving experience for various conditions: Normal, Sport, Econ, Snow, Sand, Tow, and Trail. The new Trail mode optimizes off-road capabilities. Passport can comfortably tow as much as 5,000 lb.

Based on the extremely rigid Honda light truck platform, the 2026 Passport is sportier and more engaging to drive, both on and off the road. The platform was engineered from the very beginning with the intention of giving TrailSport true off-road capabilities, which also benefits the ride, handling, and overall refinement of the entire Passport lineup thanks to a 72% increase in front lateral rigidity and a 50% increase in rear torsion rigidity.

The wheelbase has been extended to 113.8 in. (+2.75 in.), benefitting ride comfort and straight stability, and significantly wider tracks (+1.3 in. in front and +1.5 in. in the rear) improve cornering stability. The all-new suspension of Passport is fortified with stronger forged steel suspension arms and sturdy cast-iron knuckles. Re-tuned MacPherson struts in front and an all-new rear multilink suspension help give Passport a more confident handling feel, while simultaneously improving ride quality. Sound-absorbing technologies include acoustical spray-foam insulation inserted in the body structure, fender liners, and thicker carpet.

Passport has a more aggressive new look. It is an inch wider with flared fenders covering trail-ready 18-in. wheels and tires for a stronger stance. Its longer wheelbase, pulled back A-pillars, and long hood create a longer dash-to-axle ratio for a sportier profile.

The unique matte black finish of the rear roof section -- a key component of Passport's "backpack" design sub-theme -- enables owners to lean skis, fishing poles, and other adventure equipment against Passport without damage. New LED taillights and a sleek roof spoiler help make the next-gen Passport instantly recognizable from the rear. The antenna is now integrated into the passenger side rear glass, replacing the more traditional "shark-fin" style roof antenna. This placement eliminates the possibility of damage to the antenna during trail driving or when loading and unloading equipment.

The new Passport RTL features black trim and grille, matte black rocker trim and roof spoiler, and a silver skid garnish front and rear. Gloss Shark Gray 18-in. wheels and all-season tires (265/60R18) are standard. The Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite add even more rugged design and exclusive off-road hardware. Both feature a gloss black grille and exterior trim, signature amber DRL, metallic silver front and rear skid garnishes, and TrailSport badges. LED fog lights are standard and mounted higher in the front fascia for additional protection on the trail.

Both Passport TrailSport models feature uniquely styled 18-in. wheels in exclusive finishes such as Matte Shark Gray and Dark Tinted Clearcoat with Gloss Black lug nuts that include a protected sunken valve stem to avoid damage on the trail. New General Grabber all-terrain tires (275/60R18), co-developed exclusively with General Tire for the new Passport TrailSport, are extremely capable in sand, mud, rocky terrain, and snow, but still quiet and comfortable on the road.

TrailSport models deliver top-class off-road performance with a unique suspension tuned for off-road driving, featuring exclusive spring rates and damper valve tuning, plus optimized stabilizer bars that improve articulation and off-road ride comfort. Thick steel skid plates protect the oil pan, transmission, and gas tank from damage. Designed in collaboration with Honda Powersports engineers, the skid plates can support the entire weight of the vehicle crashing down on a rock. A full-size spare is available.

Standard on TrailSport Elite, the new TrailWatch camera system uses four exterior cameras to offer four camera views (front, rear, side, and 360 degree) along with clever tire placement graphics to help drivers navigate obstacles outside their natural line of sight by slope or proximity such as blind crests, deep ruts, and the trail's edge. When driving in Trail mode at speeds below 15 mph, the forward view camera automatically turns on and then deactivates when speeds rise above 15 mph. For additional driver support, and unlike competitor trail camera systems, TrailWatch automatically reactivates if the vehicle speed dips below 12 mph.

Passport is available in eight eye-catching exterior colors that highlight its rugged design and adventurous spirit, including two all-new paint colors, Sunset Orange and Ash Green Metallic, exclusive to TrailSport models.

Inside, the Honda Passport is ready for both the adventures of daily life and the rigors of rugged weekend escapes. The all-new cabin is modern, clean, and uncluttered with more comfort, storage, and cargo space than ever before. The layout is simple and intuitive with premium materials and design throughout, including high-quality switchgear and a unique topographic map design that lines its front storage bins.

New Body Stabilizing power adjustable heated front seats with memory are standard across the lineup. The already spacious second-row legroom is increased a generous 1.3 in. for increased comfort. RTL comes equipped with leather-trimmed upholstery and a power tailgate.

The TrailSport cabin stands out with comfortable, easy-to-clean synthetic leather upholstery and a sliding panoramic sunroof. Exclusive orange contrast stitching and head restraints embroidered with the TrailSport logo align to the rugged design direction. All-season floor mats add function and durability, protecting the carpet from snow, mud, and debris. Power folding mirrors and a heated windshield are standard.

The top-of-the-line TrailSport Elite adds smart entry, perforated leather seating with piping, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear climate controls, rear door shades and expanded ambient lighting, plus a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system custom-engineered for the new interior.

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite.

 

 

The 2026 Passport has the most cargo room in the model's history, with up to 83.5 cubic ft behind the first row (+5.8 cubic ft), and up to 44.0 cubic ft (+2.8 cubic ft) behind the second row, which includes a larger redesigned underfloor storage area.

Intuitive, easy-to-use technology has been smartly integrated into the new modern Passport cabin, including a standard 10.2-in. digital instrument panel display. The configurable multi-information display features user-selectable functions, such as Honda Sensing settings, vehicle information, and more. New elevation, pitch, and roll off-road readouts are standard on both TrailSport models, adding driver confidence on tough trails.

Every new Passport comes standard with a 54% larger touchscreen (12.3 in.) with the latest HMI software for lag-free performance.

The next-gen Passport is the class leader in SUV standard safety features and performance due to advanced active and passive safety technology. Honda Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) features an optimized structure integrated into front sub-frame and side-frame that improves crash compatibility with smaller vehicles and occupant protection in oblique frontal collisions.

Passport features eight standard airbags, including an award-winning Honda front passenger airbag that uses a three-chamber design that is particularly effective in angled frontal impacts in which lateral collision forces can cause an occupant's head to rotate severely or slide off the airbag, increasing the chance of serious injury. Front knee airbags and side curtain airbags are also standard.

Passport features an updated Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive technologies enabled by a new camera with a wider 90-degree field (+40 degrees) of view and wide-angle radar with a 120-degree (+70 degrees) field of view. This wide angle improves collision prevention performance via improved ability to recognize attributes of objects such as vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians, as well as white lines and road boundaries like curbs and road signs.

Blind spot information has been expanded, now with a significantly increased radar range (+72 ft). Also new are Traffic Jam Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, which are standard. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist have been updated to feature more natural responses.

Lots more features! Learn more at automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/passport. Available early 2025.

Source: Honda

Published December 2024

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