BY Randi Payton
For years, the midsize, two-row off-road SUV segment has been dominated by a handful of household names in the class, with the Passport being a respected player. However, for 2026, Honda declares war on its competitors with its all-new rugged off-road ready Passport.
It would take more than a week to fully describe all the new features of the new 2026 Honda Passport, which has been engineered and designed to shake up the segment. It’s no wonder sales rose 98.9 % after it launched earlier this year.
Power/Performance:
While many competitors have downsized to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Passport builds on the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter DOHC six-cylinder, which now generates 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. With refined gear shifting and improved acceleration, it passes and changed lanes effortlessly on city and highway roads.
Under the hood sits a powerful V6 engine that is paired with a torque-vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which sends torque not only front-to-rear but also side-to-side across the rear axle. The setup provides sharp handling on pavement and grip when the pavement ends. The suspension has been expanded on the TrailSport models for more off-road capability.
It also has a longer wheelbase and wider track for improved ground clearance. The interior has also been updated with a larger infotainment display and heated seats.
Models/Pricing:
The 2026 Honda Passport lineup comes in seven distinct categories and price ranges: The Passport RTL ($46,000) for all-weather and lighter off-road competence; the Passport Towing ($46,945), RTL Blackout ($47,445), TrailSport ($49,945), TrailSport Blackout ($51,145), TrailSport Elite ($53,945), and the TrailSport Elite Blackout (55,145).
The TrailSport model is factory-tuned with dedicated off-road suspension, robust steel underbody skid places, and all-terrain tires, designed to reach more remote areas that were previously out of reach for many off-raod SUVs. Additionally, the TrailSport Elite trim combines luxury features with capability, including a camera system to see hidden trail obstacles, leather seating, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
While the well-equipped base RTL trim tells a compelling story, the TrailSport and the TrailSport Elite represents the soul of the lineup. They have been weaponized as the most capable off-road Honda SUV ever built, designed to claw through rough terrain. The all-wheel-drive system has been expanded and fortified to work in concert with the off-road-tuned suspension to get adventurers farther on trails and higher up mountains, according to Honda.
As Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales, puts it, “Passport plays a pivotal role in our Honda lineup, with the highest conquest rate of any Honda SUV and more buyers under-40 than key competitors… We expect the authentic rugged design and off-road performance… to attract even more young, active, weekend adventurers.”
With the new 2026 Passport, Honda isn’t just competing on reputation and reliability, it has built a legitimate, customizable, and capable SUV with the hardware to back up the brands reputation. The segment has been put on notice.
Visit Decisive Media Network for a complimentary subscription to my auto blog, where you can find updated car-buying tips and reviews on new cars, SUVs, and trucks. Randi Payton, Decisive Media Network.
Randi Payton
rpayton1215@gmail.com
www.decisivemedia.net
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