The all-new 2026 Honda Passport is more of a departure from the Honda Pilot it’s based on than the last generation was and designed to go even farther afield.
Honda gave the two-row crossover SUV more individual styling and the most off-road capable platform the automaker has ever built.
Along with the street-focused entry-level RTL, the Passport will be offered in TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims that get the sort of off-road-read equipment needed to help them live up to the their names.
The Passport has a blunt front end with the PASSPORT name stamped into the fascia, vents on the nose of the hood and bash plate “garnishes” front and rear that are plastic, but help add to its rugged look.
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All trims are powered by a new 285 hp version of Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter V6, which sends the power through a 10-speed automatic transmission to a standard all-wheel drivetrain.
The TrailSports ride on 18-inch wheels shod in 31-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires and feature off-road tuned springs, shocks and stabilizer bars that don’t exactly turn the Passport into a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, but do improve its rough road ride quality and articulation.
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A set of steel underbody skid plates protects the oil pan, transmission and gas tank and are strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle, which could be handy as it only has 8.3 inches of ground clearance. If you do manage to get stuck, there are recovery hooks that can handle twice its gross vehicle weight rating, but are cleverly designed to collapse in a front-end collision for extra crash safety.
The front cabin is largely the same as the Pilot’s, but has some unique colors and trim, while the rear seat has 1.3-inches of additional legroom compared to the 2024 Passport and 10 cupholders are provided for the five passengers.
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A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system display come standard across the lineup along with the Honda Sensing package of electronic driver aids, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The TrailSport Elite adds a 360-degree camera with a TrailWatch feature that keeps it on off-road at speeds up to 15 mph and automatically reengages it if the speed drops below 12 mph.
The towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds and Honda is planning a full line of functional accessories like metal rock rails and an aluminum front skid plate.
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Exact pricing hasn’t been revealed, but Honda said it will start in the mid-$40,000 range when deliveries from the Lincoln, Ala., factory that builds it begins early next year.
