Honda says the fourth-generation Passport is its "most off-road capable" SUV ever, and after driving a prototype last month, it's hard to disagree—the 2026 Honda Passport is pretty darn tough. Today, Honda is releasing all the details on its more rugged Passport, including the updated powertrain, refreshed trim levels, and neat features like a stowable picnic table.
Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine making 285 horsepower—5 more than last year. The torque rating remains the same at 262 pound-feet, and a new 10-speed automatic transmission specifically tuned for the Passport replaces the outgoing nine-speed unit. Honda’s torque vectoring i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system comes standard.
The Passport features stronger forged steel suspension arms and sturdy cast-iron knuckles. Honda also re-tuned the MacPherson struts in front and added an all-new rear multilink suspension. It has larger 13.8-inch front brakes, and Honda offers a full-size spare. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Honda will offer the Passport in three trims—RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite—each with unique styling elements. The Passport RTL has a black grille, black trim, matte black rocker trim, silver front and rear skid garnishes, and 18-inch gloss Shark Gray wheels wrapped in 31-inch all-season tires.
The TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims have amber LED daytime running lights, metallic silver skid garnishes, a gloss black grille, gloss black trim, and orange recovery hooks. They wear 18-inch wheels, too, and come wrapped in General Grabber all-terrain tires that Honda co-developed with General Tire specifically for this model.
The 2026 Passport has a much more rugged design with a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase, a wider track (1.3 inches front and 1.5 rear), and an increased dash-to-axle ratio with a shorter front overhang. It has more ground clearance and an improved approach angle, and the TrailSport has steel skid plates for added underbody protection.
The matte black roof portion at the rear isn’t purely for styling. Honda specifically kept this section paint-free so that people could lean tall equipment against the SUV without worrying about damaging the exterior.
Inside, the increased wheelbase equates to 1.3 inches more rear legroom. It also has a 10.2-inch digital driver display and a 12.4-inch infotainment screen that’s 54 percent larger. It has Google Built-In, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It also has 10 cupholders, six big enough for a 32-ounce-wide water bottle.
The new design also improves the Passport’s cargo capacity, measuring up to 83.5 cubic feet behind the first row and up to 44.0 cu-ft behind the second. The new Passport also ushers in the return of the stowable four-person picnic table that stores as a clever cargo shelf.
Honda decked out the RTL model with leather-trimmed upholstery and a power liftgate. The TrailSport features synthetic leather, orange contrast stitching, and a panoramic sunroof. The TrailSport Elite gets perforated leather seats, ventilated front seats, rear climate controls, rear door shades, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Honda will offer the passport in eight colors, two of which—Sunset Orange and Ash Green Metallic—are exclusive to the TrailSport. The automaker hasn’t provided the official starting price, only stating that it’ll start in the mid-$40,000 range. The outgoing 2025 Passport starts at $43,795 (the price includes the $1,395 destination charge).
Passport buyers will also have an assortment of aftermarket accessories to add to their SUV with Honda’s “broadest line of genuine Honda accessories ever.” It’ll have wheels, rock sliders, scuff plates, MOLLE boards, and more.
Related News
