2026 Honda Passport Road Test and Review

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

The 2026 Honda Passport is all-new with a rugged redesign and new features. It sits between the CR-V and Pilot as a mid-size SUV with seating for five, and it blends practicality with adventure-ready capability.

Its tech-savvy cabin and strong performance are suited to daily commutes or off-road excursions. The TrailSport, a trim reserved for the most off-road capable Honda trims, has genuine capability for tackling dirt and mud with ease.

Rugged Exterior Design

The 2026 Honda Passport’s boxy, bold design hints at its adventurous attitude. Flared fenders and a bold, square grille give it plenty of presence. The TrailSport adds amber LEDs, orange tow hooks, and 31-inch General Grabber tires that give it an even stronger stance. It looks rugged, yet the interior is refined enough for families to ride in comfort.

Unlike the more urban-focused CR-V, the Passport is more adventurous, especially in the TrailSport trim. Though not as aggressive as a Jeep Wrangler, its versatile design suits varied lifestyles and serces as a great midpoint for those who want to head off-road, but aren’t necessarily looking to conquer the most challenging terrain they can find.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Practical Interior Comfort

The Passport’s cabin is spacious and comfortable with the durability for messy family life. There are leatherette surfaces with orange stitching in the TrailSport, while the Elite features perforated leather for a premium feel. Eight-way power front seats make it easy to get comfortable while 40.9 inches of rear legroom ensures there’s plenty of room for everyone. The Passport also has a quiet interior, perfect for easy conversation or road trip naps.

Second-row seats offer ample cushioning and recline for long journeys for the kids or adults. Surfaces are easy to clean for the inevitable spills and dirt with a spacious layout. There’s room for people along with spots for storing everything you want handy on a long drive.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Robust Performance

The Passport has only a single engine option with a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. This is peppy enough for highway merges, but it’s not especially aggressive. Power delivery is strong yet smooth, so the kids won’t wake up if you suddenly hit the gas hard.

There are seven drive modes including Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Sand, Tow, and Trail. Whether it’s snow or a muddy off-road drive, there’s a drive mode to optimize the Passport’s handling. There’s also a 5,000-pound tow rating that’s great for small trailers. The Passport delivers confident performance in a wide range of driving scenarios.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Confident Ride and Handling

The Passport rides smoothly, absorbing bumps on highways or city streets. It has a stiffer platform this year, which sharpens handling and makes this SUV more fun to drive than expected. On narrow, winding roads, it was controlled with precise steering.

We took the TrailSport for a little off-road adventure where its 8.3-inches of ground clearance made uneven terrain easier to manage. It handled loose rocks and steep grades without complaint while hill descent control and Trail mode make the experience easier, especially for the novice. It easily exceeds the demands of the average family, balancing comfort and capability. It’s ideal for urban commutes or adventures, delivering confidence for the driver no matter their off-road experience level.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Modern Technology Suite

The Passport has a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It includes Google built-in with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone connectivity. The TrailSport Elite has a 12-speaker Bose audio system for a premium audio experience. Both the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite feature TrailWatch cameras with 360-degree view to aid in off-road navigation.

New this year are several features specifically designed to help during off-roading. There’s an elevation gauge, which can even be fun for the family on the highway depending on the terrain. There’s also a pitch and roll gauge, which makes it easier to navigate more challenging terrain.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Versatile Cargo Space

The Passport has 41.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row with 83.8 cubic feet behind the first row. New this year is an optional cargo shelf that can be removed and turned into a table. It’s reminiscent of the one found in the CR-V years ago, but this time around, it’s far sturdier. The legs screw into the tabletop and have a handy storage spot in the cargo area floor when not in use. It can also be configured into a backrest for comfortable tailgating.

Storage cubbies and underfloor compartments keep essentials organized, offering families plenty of flexibility. The Passport manages daily life and weekend getaways with ease, making it a versatile choice for active lifestyles.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Off-Road Capability

The TrailSport is the Passport’s most off-road-ready trim level. It has an off-road tuned suspension, skid plates to protect the oil pan, transmission, and fuel tank, 31-inch General Grabber, and improved approach and departure angles. There’s also 8.3-inches of ground clearance that makes uneven terrain easier to manage. It’s a truly capable SUV.

The TrailSport Elite adds feature including TrailWatch cameras. These provide a 360-degree view around the vehicle along with tire path and body guidelines. On narrow trails, this helps keep the Passport centered so you don’t venture off the trail. On blind crests, it gives you a view of what’s around the vehicle so you can drive with confidence.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Comprehensive Safety Features

The full Passport lineup features the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. This comprehensive offering includes collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Additional available features include front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control.

The bulk of the system’s features are standard, so there’s no need to feel pressured to move up a trim or to get a pricey safety package for peace of mind. No matter which trim of the Passport you choose, you get a wide range of features to help keep you and your most precious cargo safe.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda

Final Thoughts: Adventure Meets Practicality

The 2026 Honda Passport blends rugged capability with family practicality. It’s a strong offering in the competitive midsize SUV segment. It has a bold design, spacious cabin, and modern tech along with capable off-road trims for those who crave a bit more adventure.

Starting at $46,200 for RTL and rising up to $55,100 for top TrailSport Elite Balckout, it’s not the most affordable option, but it’s still well-priced given its features. It’s a great choice for families with more active lifestyles. Whether that’s weekend getaways, vacation road trips, or off-road adventures, the 2026 Honda Passport is a great family vehicle.

2026 Honda Passport ・ Photo by Honda