Falling for the 2026 Honda Passport’s Classic Looks? Go For TrailSport’s Muscle and Class
More rugged than ever, with lots of features and off-road goodies, the Passport TrailSport is muy bien! We test drove for you.
Honda says the all-new Passport TrailSport is the most off-road capable SUV it has ever made. Endowed with all-wheel drive, an off-road tuned suspension, and steel skid plates to protect the underbelly, the Passport TrailSport is built to be much more than family car with a badass feel.
I put the new Honda Passport TrailSport to the test on an off-road course near the coast of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Sweeping vistas, challenging hills, and water crossings enhanced the experience, and I walked away thinking about all the things I could do with this SUV. If you’re the adventurous type, or simply need to get past mounds of snow or up icy driveways in the winter, the Passport TrailSport could be a great fit for you.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Honda’s guest for this test drive, but all opinions are my own.
Honda Passport’s New Look Is Even More Classic SUV: Boxy and Muscular
Honda fully redesigned the Passport for 2026, with boxier body styling cues and a better ride overall. The 2026 model kicks off the fourth generation of this SUV with its first version of the TrailSport trim, which branches off into two flavors: TrialSport and TrailSport Elite. That’s in addition to the entry level RT-L model, and all trims have a Blackout Edition that adds a bit more stealth to the Passport’s look.
All trims are built for durability in Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama plant, where it’s given a 285-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine is built on site and is the same engine, though tuned specifically for the Passport, that also powers the Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and Acura MDX.
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How Did the Honda Passport Perform Off-Road?
Honda did a superb job creating an SUV that is equally comfortable on the road as it is off the pavement. I’ve driven crossovers, 4x4s, and full-size pickups off-road, and typically the bigger, burlier machines absorb the bumps and bruises dirt routes can bring. However, the Passport TrailSport’s ride is impressive; even on sand, dirt, and mud the SUV felt capable and sure-footed. Once I got back on the street, the Passport transitions smoothly into an errand-running star. I liked the easy access to control knobs and buttons and it felt effortless. No stress, no fuss.
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The Real TrailSport Conundrum: Standard, or Elite?
The look of both the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite is distinct, with gorgeous contrast stitching and embroidered TrailSport logos in the headrests, power folding mirrors, and a sliding panoramic sunroof. Synthetic leather upholstery inside the TrailSport is the easy-to-clean option, or upgrade to the Elite model for perforated leather seating. The former includes all-season floor mats and the Elite includes carpeted floor mats along with a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats.
Music lovers will want to go with the TrailSport Elite for a fantastic 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. It’s customized precisely for the dimensions of the Passport and sounds terrific. Need a song recommendation for the ride? I’d say anything by Bad Bunny, who is a native Puerto Rican, or for a throwback vibe listen to Ricky Martin or even Menudo.
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Honda Built an Off-Road Course That Will Become a Refuge for Cancer Patients
Honda was on the hunt for a unique and rugged spot for outdoor adventures to put the new Passport trim to the test. While in the process, they met the Casado brothers, who own hundreds of acres of lush land along the coast.
The Casados have a unique story: their father was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few years back, and he found some comfort through the juice of the soursop fruit. They started dreaming about creating a grove of soursop trees to help others. At the same time, they started charting a course toward building a refuge for people with cancer and their families to enjoy nature.
Once the Casados and Honda agreed to work together, Honda got to work building an off-road course that could later be turned into nature trails for the camp the family had in mind. In the process, Honda hired local Puerto Ricans to clean up the beach on the property to the tune of eight pickup truckloads. Everyone benefited from the partnership: the land, the Casado family, and Honda.
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Passport TrailSport: Handsome on the Outside…
The first thing you’ll notice about the Passport TrailSport is that it’s an inch wider than before, with improved off-roading specs. It has a shorter front overhang to make it easier to scale hills, and the exhaust tips are cleverly hidden away to keep them out of the dirt.
Honda relocated the antenna for the 2026 model, incorporating it into the passenger side cargo window and doing way with the “shark fin” roof antenna. That means it’s much less likely to be damaged when you’re driving through an area with branches whipping around or when you take it to the car wash to rinse off all the dirt and dust.
And you will want to keep it at least semi-clean so everyone can see the glorious colors of the Passport: Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Sonic Gray Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic. Plus two new colors that are available on TrailSport models only: Sunset Orange and Ash Green Metallic.
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…And Gorgeous Inside
Inside the cabin, there’s a new 10.2-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s 54 percent larger than the previous generation. The Passport TrailSport includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in.
I’m a big fan of the new Body Stabilizing Seats up front, which are designed to hug your body and reduce fatigue. It’s easy to see that Honda put a lot of thought into the kinesiology of the seats from the frame to the shape to the cushions themselves, and it makes a difference.
Storage and Space Is Ample
There’s plenty of room for snacks, wipes, lip balm, and other small items in the tablet-sized console. The Passport includes a shelf on the passenger side that’s perfect for sunglasses, pens, tire gauges, and more. And Honda thoughtfully gave the Passport 10 cupholders; six of those are large enough to fit a 32-ounce Hyrdoflask bottle.
Bring all the luggage and camping equipment you need, as the Passport includes 83.8 cubic feet of storage space behind the first row and 44 cubic feet behind the second row. Honda says the Passport can even accommodate two adult-sized mountain bikes with the second row folded down as long as you remove the front wheels of the bikes first. Need a secret stowaway space while you’re out hiking a trail? There’s a 0.6-cubic-foot underfloor storage area great for wallets, tablets, and other valuables.
But Off-Road Credibility Is Core in the Honda Passport TrailSport
For both serious overlanders or or occasional campers the Passport TrailSport is ready. Equipped with heavy-duty front and rear recovery points capable of supporting twice its weight, the Passport can tackle gnarlier trails than it ever could in the past. If you’re exploring tough terrain with another SUV or truck and get stuck in the mud, those recovery hooks will come in handy.
The Passport TrailSport rides on 18-inch wheels with 31-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires developed specifically for this 4×4. Want to see exactly how the trails are challenging you? The touchscreen can display new elevation, pitch and roll off-road readouts stats, if you like. In Puerto Rico, I splashed through water and mud, scaled steep hills (on two wheels, at times!) and tiptoed back down using the hill descent control feature.
All in, the 2025 Honda Passport TrailSport offers the best of both worlds: comfort and capability. I’d take it anywhere, and I think it’s the best Passport Honda has ever made.
Ready to hit the road?
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