2026 Honda Passport: A Capable All-Rounder

2026 Honda Passport: A Capable All-Rounder

The 2026 Honda Passport arrives as a compelling two-row SUV that masterfully blends on-road comfort with genuine off-road prowess, positioning itself as a versatile lifestyle vehicle for modern adventurers. While retaining the practicality of its three-row Pilot sibling, the Passport distinguishes itself with a more rugged aesthetic and a clear focus on catering to an active lifestyle. This iteration sees thoughtful updates that enhance its appeal, making it a strong contender in a competitive segment.

Pricing and Trims

The 2026 Honda Passport lineup offers a range of trims, with pricing starting in the mid-$40,000s for the base RTL trim. The Elite trim, which adds premium features like a Bose audio system, heated and cooled seats, and other luxury appointments, pushes the price into the mid-$50,000s. The gap between the base RTL and the top-tier Trail Sport Elite is approximately $8,000 to $9,000. While not an inexpensive vehicle, the Passport’s pricing is firmly in line with its direct competitors, offering a solid value proposition for its capabilities and features.

Exterior and Interior Design

Honda has significantly restyled the Passport’s exterior, giving it a more assertive and rugged appearance. While based on a front-wheel-drive platform, the design effectively conveys a sense of adventure. Inside, the Passport prioritizes usability and comfort. It shares the excellent cargo capacity of the Pilot, offering around 40-plus cubic feet of space behind the second row, comparable to a Pilot with its third row folded down. The second-row seats are comfortable bench seats, providing ample space for passengers. The interior features a user-friendly layout with physical controls that are easy to access, a welcome trait in an era of increasingly digital interfaces. The infotainment system has also seen updates, enhancing the overall user experience.

Performance and Capability

Under the hood, the 2026 Honda Passport is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine. While specific horsepower and torque figures for the 2026 model were not detailed in the provided information, previous iterations offered around 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Passport is a front-wheel-drive based vehicle, but all trims come standard with Honda’s intelligent torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. This system is capable of sending more power to the rear wheels than previous generations and can torque-vector independently to each rear wheel, enhancing both on-road dynamics and off-road traction. The TrailSport variant, in particular, receives unique suspension tuning with lower ride frequencies and is equipped with 31-inch all-terrain tires – the tallest and most aggressive ever fitted to a Honda or Acura product. All Passport models boast an impressive 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and the TrailSport models include underbody protection with skid plates for vital components and standard recovery points.

On the road, the Passport delivers a compliant and comfortable ride, significantly improved by its suspension tuning and tire choice. The steering is responsive, and the vehicle exhibits a surprising nimbleness for its size, with the torque-vectoring AWD system contributing to a more engaging driving experience. Unlike some competitors, the Passport demonstrates a pleasing rotation in corners. However, the 10-speed automatic transmission can sometimes be caught in the wrong gear, particularly during spirited driving or when navigating turns, leading to a slight delay in response. While the V6 engine sounds good and provides adequate power, its fuel efficiency is a notable drawback, with real-world figures hovering around the 20 MPG mark, and potentially lower on the highway, resulting in a total fuel range under 300 miles.

Off-Road Prowess

The TrailSport trim elevates the Passport’s off-road credentials significantly. With its dedicated suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, standard recovery points, and underbody protection, it’s genuinely capable of handling more demanding trails, including mud, sand, and even moderate rock crawling. While it may not match the extreme capability of body-on-frame SUVs with locking differentials, the Passport TrailSport bridges the gap effectively, offering 95% of the off-road capability most users would ever need without significantly compromising on-road manners. The intelligent torque-vectoring AWD system plays a crucial role here, intelligently distributing power to maintain traction in challenging conditions.

Value and Target Buyer

The 2026 Honda Passport is aimed at buyers who lead an active lifestyle and need a versatile SUV that can handle daily commuting, family duties, and weekend adventures, including off-road excursions. It appeals to those who appreciate the rugged styling and capability but don’t want to sacrifice on-road comfort and refinement. The Passport represents good value by offering a compelling blend of utility, comfort, and surprising off-road capability at a price point competitive with rivals like the Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback Wilderness, and Ford Bronco Sport. For those prioritizing a comfortable ride, a well-appointed interior, and the ability to explore beyond paved roads, the Passport is a highly competent and appealing choice.

Verdict

The 2026 Honda Passport is a highly competent and well-rounded two-row SUV. It successfully combines a comfortable and practical interior with a refined on-road driving experience and impressive off-road capability, especially in the TrailSport trim. While the transmission tuning and fuel efficiency of the V6 engine present minor drawbacks, they are largely overshadowed by the vehicle’s overall versatility, engaging dynamics, and rugged appeal. For buyers seeking an SUV that can do it all, from daily errands to weekend adventures, the Passport stands out as a smart and capable option.

Source: 2026 Honda Passport | Real World Testing (YouTube)