2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Receives Rave Review
The 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite is the brand’s most off-road and overlanding capable vehicle ever, with the looks to match and capability in spades. It serves as a perfect replacement for those who used to buy “real” SUVs. The fourth generation of the Passport carries macho, off-roady good looks and tried-and-true Honda underpinnings. The demise of the V8 and reasonably-sized body-on-frame SUVs has left a void that outdoorsy crossovers are now filling.
Design And Interior Changes
Honda’s biggest swing with the new Passport is the exterior design. The Passport, especially in Trailsport guise, is an aesthetic success, both aggressive and restrained simultaneously. The front end in particular is notable, with a distinctive LED treatment that makes the new Passport unique. The Passport’s design is a lot of its charm. It really looks fantastic both in pictures and in the flesh, and it’s even better that the boxy shape brings a ton of space and usability with it. The interior received a huge refresh with styling inspired by the eleventh-generation Civic and has been very well-received.
Honda’s interiors have long shown off the brand’s ability to execute packaging brilliance, and the Passport is no exception. Storage compartments are plentiful, and the front doors are an exercise in maximizing the use of allotted space while intruding minimally on occupant space. There are upper and lower pockets plus multiple cupholders in the doors, not to mention those in the center console. Speaking of, center console storage isn’t great, and the odd push-button shifter remains a concern across the Passport and other Hondas alike. Everything just works, but the shifter isn’t ideal, and it takes up a relatively enormous amount of space for what are effectively four buttons.
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Performance And Efficiency
The Passport’s engine is adequate. The 3.5 L J35Y8 V6 makes 285 horsepower at 6,100 RPM and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on trim, the Passport weighs anywhere from 4,500 to 4,800 pounds. Acceleration is passable—don’t expect it to be exceptionally quick—but it more than gets the job done given the vehicle’s intended purpose. It’s a good-sounding powerplant though, so hearing it work hard isn’t unpleasant. The Passport is more at home on the highway. The gearbox and V6 torque are perfectly suited to freeway-speed cruising. Fuel economy is mediocre for the Trailsport: 18/23/20 city/highway/combined, but going non-Trailsport can net a slight advantage for prospective buyers at 19/25/21.
The Passport’s handling isn’t great but again, bring your expectations to the table accordingly. The Trailsport’s General Grabber A/T Sport tires give up on tarmac long before the Passport’s chassis is willing to let go, but such is the plight of gussying up a CUV to make it happier when the pavement ends. Midsize CUVs and SUVs with off-road-oriented bits tacked on rarely impress as far as driving partnerships go, but the Passport’s unibody underpinnings shine through to make it a very pleasant vehicle to drive. It’s supremely easy to drive, maneuver, and spend time in, with no real detriment to highway or long-haul stability. Visibility is good, and the steering is light but direct.
While the suspension tuning leans on the side of soft and plush rather than stiff and sporty, it pays dividends anytime the road is rough, allowing the vehicle to float over rough roads and even potholes. Larger bumps—think California-style drainage culverts—can bring about some body motions as the cushy suspension and body of the vehicle itself fight in opposite directions, though those instances are few and far between in most locales. The Passport excels when used as a family vehicle. Installing car seats is a cinch thanks to plentiful room and wide door openings, and the rear doors open wide, making easy loading and unloading of children and things.
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Comfort in the Passport is high. The front seats have excellent spaciousness plus excellent heating and ventilating functions. For closing in on $60k, it would be nice to have a massaging function, though. Rear seat comfort is good as well, and thanks to the front-wheel-drive nature of the vehicle you get a flat floor with no center hump as well. The Passport Trailsport Elite also comes with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, but most problematic for some buyers will be that there is no native SiriusXM aboard. The Passport is equipped with a good assortment of safety and comfort tech. It comes with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot warning, parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and so on.
It is difficult to ignore that the Trailsport’s 8.3 inches of ground clearance is well below the standard for true off-roaders, and the gas tank could be a few gallons larger. However, the Passport’s value proposition is strong when compared to the Subaru Outback Wilderness, which starts at $44,995 and costs around $50k with options comparable to those of the Passport Trailsport. Projected reliability and further off-road capability over the Subaru are where the Honda’s value really comes in strong, and those looking for a long-term purchase are more likely to have success with the Honda than the Subaru. The Passport Trailsport represents perhaps the most well-rounded SUV the brand has ever made.
