The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport aims to prove that the extra bit of badging actually means something. When the first TrailSport models arrived, that wasn’t exactly the case. Today, however, it’s a different story. This latest iteration adds the right amount of off-road capability for the segment, price, and intended consumer.
Style-wise, this latest Passport does a good job embracing older-school boxy design mixed with a few modern touches. The amber DRLs look great, as do the painted recovery hooks, optional wheel choices, and overall stance of the vehicle. In the cabin, you go more properly modern with the dual digital displays, standard wireless phone charger, and the extremely comfortable seats. There are good storage options in the rear, and Honda has a few optional extras you can add on such as a rear storage cover that can be used as a table.
Lift the hood, and you’ll find a familiar-looking 3.5-liter V6 engine. Power rises up just a tad now, however, with this mill rated to deliver 285 hp and 262 lb-ft torque. There’s a ten-speed automatic gearbox backing up the engine, and power is sent out via the latest version of Honda’s iVTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The automaker says the rear drive unit delivers power more responsively, delivers more torque at launch, can vector that torque more quickly, and up to 100% of available rear torque can be sent to either side.
In terms of the off-road upgrades, Honda fits the TrailSport models with seriously beefy skid plates, the aforementioned recovery points, and a set of all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. From there, the Passport delivers more with hill descent control, various drive modes, and a nice camera system for slower-speed technical trail maneuvering.
A Wrangler Rubicon, this is not. Nor do I think it needs to be. The price and complexity would climb to points where a more aggressive version of this would prove to be a poor seller and be a one-and-done sort of vehicle. Instead, I am enjoying the steady improvement of the TrailSport models, with this latest Passport rising to a point where it’s a strong option for consumers looking for a great daily driver with entertaining weekend warrior appeal.