Honda gives the Passport a makeover for 2026 that pushes this midsize SUV from a comfortable family hauler to the adventure-oriented end of the market, while retaining the practicality and reliability that Hondas are known for. With standard all-wheel drive, improved off-road capability and a powerful V6 engine, this may be the best Passport yet.
Base Price: $52,450
As Tested: $54,355
Horsepower: 285
Mileage: 20 mpg city/18 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
The 2026 Passport is now in its fourth generation, fitting in the Honda SUV line-up between the smaller CR-V and larger Pilot. The Passport used to be known mostly as a practical two-row alternative to the three-row Pilot. But now Honda says it’s the most rugged, off-road capable SUV the company has ever made.
For 2026, the Passport is larger, gets more aggressive styling, and has better off-road chops, although it’s still not as competent as hardcore off-road rivals such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner. But it’s well suited for outdoor adventures such as camping, skiing, remote hiking spots, and driving on wet and snowy roads.
The 2026 Passport comes in three main trims: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite, each available with different factory options and appearance packages. Starting prices range from $44,750 to $53,600. These prices are on the high end for a midsize SUV, but the Passport comes standard with Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system.
There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
The 2026 Passport gets a new, more powerful naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. For the first time, the Passport has a 10-speed automatic transmission that Honda says has been tuned exclusively for the Passport. Paddle shifters are standard.
Acceleration is strong from a stop, and merging and passing at highway speeds feels effortless. The 10-speed shifts smoothly and quickly. The V6 feels more refined than many turbocharged rivals that can have lag or coarse behavior under load. The standard AWD system continually distributes torque between wheels to maximize stability, making the Passport feel planted when cornering and providing confident handling in rain and snow. Steering is responsive and the turning radius is surprisingly tight so it’s fairly easy to maneuver this big rig in cramped parking lots and narrow trails. The ride quality is comfortable much of the time, with the suspension doing a good job of soaking up bumps and rough roads. Visibility is good all the way around. All in all, the Passport feels more athletic and comfortable than you might expect.
When properly equipped, the Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Fuel economy is decent but not class-leading. The RTL earns EPA estimates of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while TrailSport models return 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined due to their more aggressive tires and suspension setup. I got 20 mpg during my week with the TrailSport Elite test drive vehicle with a mix of city and highway driving.
Honda has significantly upgraded the Passport’s cabin. It now feels modern and functional, with a large standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless smartphone integration, wireless device charging, and Google Built-in services. Because there’s no third row, passenger space is generous in both rows with plenty of leg-and headroom for five taller adults. The second row has no hump in the middle floor, so everyone can stretch their legs. Seats are supportive and comfortable, even on long drives. Material quality is generally first-rate, especially in the top TrailSport Elite trims. While the interior doesn’t match some luxury rivals, it feels durable and appropriate for an adventure-oriented SUV.
The infotainment system looks great with its big screen and large, crisp graphics. It’s user-friendly with intuitive menus, and responds quickly to touch and voice commands. There are handy physical controls for volume and climate settings. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all trims.
Cargo capacity is excellent, making the Passport great for road trips, camping, and active lifestyles. There are 44 cubic feet behind the second row, and 83.8 cubes with the second row folded. There’s also a fairly large area under the load floor.
Here are the trims of the 2026 Honda Passport.
RTL – MSRP $44,750. This is the entry-level model, but it comes with a long list of standard features. It’s the best trim for those who want comfort and tech without the off-road upgrades. This trim also comes in RTL Towing and RTL Blackout variants, with MSRPs of $45,450 and $45,950, respectively. The RTL Towing subtrim adds a Class III tow hitch receiver and trailer wiring harness. The RTL Blackout trim adds black Honda badges and black 18-inch wheels.
- Keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Leather and cloth upholstery
- Heated and power-adjustable front seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster
- Infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Google Built-in with Google Assistant
- Nine-speaker audio system
- HD Radio
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Wireless device charging
- Four USB ports
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- Power liftgate
- Hill descent control
- 18-inch gray wheels
- All-season tires
TrailSport – MSRP $48,450. Honda says the TrailSport is the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever. Seven standard selectable drive modes let you adjust performance for different driving conditions: Normal, Sport, Econ, Snow, Sand, Tow and Trail. This trim is available in the Trailsport Blackout variant with an MSRP of $49,650. The Blackout subtrim adds the black exterior accents and black wheels.
- Leatherette and cloth upholstery with orange trim
- Rubber floor mats
- Two 120-volt power outlets
- Panoramic sunroof
- Steel underbody skid plates
- Off-road tuned suspension
- Increased ground clearance
- Improved approach angles
- Expanded all-wheel drive capabilities
- Exposed bright orange heavy-duty recovery points
- Class III tow package
- Orange tow hooks
- All-terrain tires
TrailSport Elite – MSRP $52,450. This trim combines off-road capability with premium features. It’s also offered in the TrailSport Elite Blackout variant with black exterior badging and black wheels with an MSRP of $53,650.
- TrailWatch surround-view camera system
- Perforated leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated rear seats
- Rear sunshades
- 12-speaker Bose premium audio system
- Rain-sending windshield wipers
- Hands-free power liftgate
Every 2026 Passport can also be customized with seven post-production packages including a trail-oriented Adventure Pack, a Pet Package, and a new HPD package that adds to the Passport’s rugged appearance and capability.
Standard driver assistance technologies include
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Pedestrian detection
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Driver-attention monitoring
- Rear-seat alert
Available driver assistance technologies include
- Surround-view camera system
The good:
Confident handling
Peppy acceleration
Standard AWD
Decent off-road chops
Roomy, modern interior
Many standard features and tech
User-friendly infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Generous cargo space
The not-so-good:
Not as off-road capable as some rivals
Price is a bit higher than other two-row midsize SUVs
Pricing info:
My 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite test vehicle starts at $52,450. Sunset Orange paint is $455. The destination fee is $1,450, bringing the grand total to $54,355
Bottom line:
The redesigned 2026 Honda Passport is a great blend of everyday livability and rugged capability. With its strong V6 powertrain, standard AWD, roomy and comfortable cabin, long list of standard features, and decent off-road prowess, the 2026 Passport will appeal to buyers wanting a dependable, spacious, and versatile midsize SUV.
