I’ll admit it, I was skeptical about the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. When the Japanese brand first showed off its new off-roader, oh sure, I thought it looked great. And in person on the national first drive program in Puerto Rico, it looked right at home on the trails. On visuals alone, the Passport checks the boxes. But could it deliver on the checks those boxy-cool looks were writing?

After driving Honda’s latest SUV through all manner of trails, twists, and other tough terrain, I’m convinced. Body-on-frame beasts will still be the final bosses of off-roading, but for those looking to get into the adventure life, the Passport TrailSport offers a lot of capability right out the box—and with more agreeable on-road manners. Here’s why.

Backpacking Life

Listen to Honda’s design team, and they’ll tell you the Passport’s styling is inspired by the humble backpack. Squint a little and you’ll start to see it, with the blacked-out roof and D-pillar connecting to the “straps” that are those chunky roof rails. That bold, reverse-rake C-pillar helps paint the picture, too.

There’s substance under the styling, too. While the Passport has grown a bit in most directions, the wheelbase is proportionally more of the total length. All else being equal, that translates to improved approach and departure angles. Honda chopped over three inches from the front overhang, and now tucks the exhaust up under the rear bumper. These changes help contribute to the new model’s improved 23-degree approach and 28-degree departure angles.

Purpose-Built for Off-Roading

The first Passport TrailSport showed up on the scene a few years ago, based on the previous-generation model. It arrived as little more than a styling exercise, though. Seriously, this was an actual line in the original press release:

“Mounted on machined 18-inch wheels, the unique design of its 245/60R18 tires includes sidewall tread for a more rugged look.”

Ouch.

This one is different, and not only because it now has proper, 31-inch all-terrain tires. For the 2026 model, Honda engineers started with the TrailSport, and worked backwards from there. In comes a more powerful rear unit for the i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. The rear axle can now accept 70-percent of total system torque, and can still utilize full torque vectoring to send 100-percent of the power to either one of the rear wheels.

This translates to a trail drive that is capable and confident. We experienced mud, deep sand, and water crossings. No matter the obstacle, the Passport TrailSport crossed it. Angled breakovers would have one wheel hiked clear into the air; when this happens, the system keeps 25-percent of system torque for that wheel in reserve. The power can then be deployed as soon as the wheel is back on terra firma. Honda says this was an intentional decision as it improves response time.

Tried and True Powertrain

While other brands experiment with downsized, turbocharged four-cylinders and all manner of electrification, the ’26 Passport keeps things simple. It again uses a 3.5-liter V6, now producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. New this year is the 10-speed transmission found in other Honda products.

This setup eliminates any guesswork. The V6’s power delivery is super predictable, and the 10-speed is well-mannered in a way we wish Ford’s 10-speed was. Drivers can choose from a variety of drive modes that tailor the throttle response and steering as well. Want to lock a specific gear in for that steep climb? Use the standard paddle shifters.

Trail Assist

It’s important that newcomers to off-roading feel comfortable off the tarmac. Proper all-terrain tires, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and standard all-wheel drive help, but new driving aids make the Passport more approachable on the trails.

The best new feature has to be Honda’s TrailWatch system. A multi-camera setup to monitor how close the nose or wheels are from obstacles is hardly new; instead, it’s how Honda has implemented the system. When the driver switches to the Trail drive mode, these cameras come on automatically, filling the 12.3-inch central touchscreen with high-resolution, nearly real-time footage. Should the TrailSport exceed 15 mph, the feeds will disappear, but crucially, the cameras will switch back on under 12 mph. Should you want to access them in any other mode, like Sand, well then a quick tap of the button on the end of the wiper stalk is all you need.

Honda has also included its own downhill descent assist for the ’26 Passport. It’s easy enough to activate, and speed can be adjusted via the accelerator and brake pedals, at any single-digit increment from 2 to 12 mph. Just know that it’s pretty noisy in operation, with a lot of grumble coming from the wheelarches. 

Accessories Incoming

Honda knows that the stock vehicle is only the beginning for off-roading enthusiasts. At the first-drive event, company spokespeople confirmed there would be plenty of dealer-fitted accessories for the Passport TrailSport. These include features like upgraded wheels, organization options for that enormous cargo hold, and tents.

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Highlights

• Trail-Ready Design: Rugged new styling with a shortened front overhang and improved approach (23°) and departure (28°) angles.

• Real Off-Road Capability: 31-inch all-terrain tires, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and a reworked i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system that can send up to 100% of torque to either rear wheel.

• Confident and Composed: Powered by a reliable 3.5-liter V6 (285 hp, 262 lb-ft) paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.

• Trail Tech Assist: TrailWatch camera system activates automatically in Trail mode, with real-time visuals on the 12.3-inch touchscreen. Downhill assist allows for precise speed control between 2–12 mph.

• Accessory Support: Honda plans to offer dealer-installed upgrades, such as off-road wheels, cargo solutions, and camping gear, to support outdoor adventures.

• Competitive Pricing: The 2026 Passport TrailSport starts at $46,200, with the fully loaded TrailSport Elite reaching $53,900.