Honda bills the five-passenger Passport as an SUV ready for off-road adventure. With its updated looks and improved capability, the 2026 version lives up to its billing. Wider and taller than the brand's three-row Pilot upper midsize crossover SUV, the 2026 Passport boasts a significantly updated cabin with larger screens and more space for cargo and passengers. Off-road goodies and advanced technology make the Passport an excellent choice for the adventurous family.
Photo: Perry Stern
For the 2026 model year, the Honda Passport is larger in every dimension, translating to more rear-seat legroom and added cargo space. A bold new look emphasizes the Honda's off-road capability, especially with the TrailSport trim level, which gets increased ground clearance (vs. 2025), a shorter front overhang, all-terrain tires, and visible skid plates. The refreshed interior features a digital gauge cluster, a larger display screen, and a new Google-based infotainment system.
Honda offers the 2026 Passport in three basic trims: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite. Each is available as a Blackout trim with black exterior badging and décor, and an additional RTL Towing trim adds an integrated Class III hitch. Base prices range from $46,200 to $55,100, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Passport review, Honda provided a test vehicle equipped with TrailSport Elite trim and extra-cost Platinum White Pearl paint. The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $54,355, including the $1,450 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the Lincoln, Alabama, assembly plant.
Photo: Perry Stern
Not only does the 2026 Passport have a new exterior design, but it also gets a refreshed interior with a much cleaner look than the previous version. The cabin has a decidedly upscale vibe, especially in the TrailSport Elite, which features seats trimmed in perforated leather with contrasting orange stitching on the seats, center console, dashboard, and steering wheel.
The larger infotainment touchscreen is the focus of the cabin, accompanied by a new 10.2-inch digital driver's display. A plaque below the screen spells out “PASSPORT,” adding a premium touch to the interior, while the TrailSport logo embossed on the headrests does the same. Climate controls are in a separate panel featuring all physical buttons and knobs for easy use.
Other interior updates include a new three-spoke steering wheel with more intuitive controls and easier-to-use switches and buttons. The center console gets a refresh with larger cupholders and more space for storage around the wireless phone charger. Overall, the horizontal vents and clean dashboard lines give the Passport's cabin an expansive feel.
Rear seats have a style similar to those up front, and with the Passport's larger exterior dimensions, rear-seat passengers have more legroom. Even the middle seat offers good space thanks to the flat floor. Available tri-zone climate control gives rear passengers control over their temperature and fan settings. Heated outboard seats are also available.
The larger dimensions also translate into increased cargo space, with ample room for multiple suitcases or groceries. There are 44 cubic feet of space behind the second row, which expands to 83.8 cubic feet (83.2 for the TrailSport Elite) with the second row folded flat. According to Honda, that's enough room to handle two mountain bikes with their front wheels removed.
Photo: Perry Stern
Like many other car companies, Honda adopts the Google Built-in infotainment system for the 2026 Honda Passport. Displayed on a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, the system is intuitive and easy to use. Features include:
There's a good reason many car companies like General Motors and Ford are moving to the Google-based infotainment system. With real-time traffic and hazard information, the popular Google Maps is ideal as the default native navigation system, and, in my opinion, Google Assistant is one of the best natural-voice interfaces on the market. Logging into your Google account provides a personalized experience, bringing in navigation favorites and effortless transfer of destinations from your mobile device.
I extensively used Google Assistant during my time in the Honda Passport, and it makes life easier. Saying "Hey, Google" brings the interface to life, and I could adjust the temperature, text my wife, and select a source and music, all hands-free. It's ideal when looking for a coffee shop or a particular cuisine in an unfamiliar area. I told Google Assistant I wanted some coffee, and the system offered multiple caffeinated location options nearby.
It's easy to customize the system via the Google Play Store, where you can download popular apps like Waze, Spotify, and more. Once installed, these features integrate into the infotainment system as native apps. My top-level TrailSport Elite also featured the premium Bose 12-speaker audio system, which delivers excellent sound.
While the Google-based system is one of the best, some drivers may prefer the familiar Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interface. Both are standard with a wireless connection. I connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth, and Android Auto loaded automatically every time I got in the Honda.
Not all of the Passport's infotainment system’s features are for navigation or entertainment, although I suppose the TrailWatch system is entertaining. When off-roading in the TrailSport Elite with Trail Mode engaged, the display screen shows a combined image from multiple cameras showing a broad view forward and an overhead 360-degree view. This feature is ideal for looking for hazards that may be hard to spot during off-road adventures.
Photo: Perry Stern
Powering the 2026 Honda Passport is an improved 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque—a slight increase in horsepower versus the outgoing model. The Passport gets a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard for all versions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the 2026 Honda Passport will achieve 21 mpg combined, although it rates the TrailSport slightly lower at 20 mpg combined. During my drive in the Passport TrailSport, the trip computer showed 20.5 mpg.
My time with the new Passport occurred during the annual Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year event at the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. The event featured a range of on- and off-road courses, allowing me to test the Honda on a closed driving circuit with acceleration, braking, slalom features, and a challenging off-road trail.
It may have all the necessary features for adventures off-road, but the 2026 Passport delivers a comfortable ride with strong on-pavement performance. The AWD system provides excellent grip, and even with the off-road tires, the Passport accelerates quickly with no wheel spin. Larger brake rotors and calipers provide strong braking power, and the brakes are easy to modulate while bringing the Passport smoothly and rapidly to a stop from 60 mph.
The Passport's wider track, upgraded suspension, and torque-vectoring AWD worked well together to keep the SUV stable when pushed through the slalom course. The steering provided good feedback, and the quick direction changes did nothing to upset the ride.
Driving on the streets outside Shelton, the Passport's potent engine made it easy to scoot around slower vehicles, making the ride comfortable and quiet. The Passport handles the road surprisingly well for an SUV with a penchant for off-roading, making it enjoyable as a daily driver.
While many customers are unlikely to take advantage of the Passport TrailSport's off-road capability, I put the SUV through its paces in a custom off-road course featuring steep climbs and descents, loose gravel and dirt tracks, a deep-water crossing, and more. Traction was excellent, and the Passport, with its advanced AWD system, was just as adept at climbing steep inclines with loose dirt and rock surfaces as it was at providing a stable ride on high-speed gravel and dirt roads.
However, there are limits to the Passport's off-road capability. While its 8.3 inches of ground clearance is respectable, it's not enough to tackle extreme terrain like a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner, and there's no 4WD Low option for more challenging conditions. The front skid plate was also quite good at scooping up grass and mud, which needed cleaning periodically.
Photo: Perry Stern
The updated Honda Passport comes standard with the latest version of Honda Sensing, the brand's comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). With a new camera and wide-angle radar, the system has improved performance and can better identify road hazards, white lines, and road signs.
All 2026 Passport trims come standard with Honda Sensing, which includes the following ADAS:
Driving the Passport on the roads outside Shelton, Washington, I employed the adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. I was impressed with how smoothly the Passport slowed to match the speed of the vehicle ahead, eventually coming to a complete stop as the car in front of me stopped to make a left turn. Once the car had cleared out of the way, the Passport automatically returned to its set speed.
Lane-keeping was quite effective on the freeway and two-lane back roads. Honda does not offer a hands-free driving system, but the steering corrections to keep the Passport on course managed all but the tightest turns. The Honda Sensing display in the gauge cluster showed my vehicle in the lane, with green lane markers to indicate lane-keeping was in operation.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published safety ratings for the 2026 Honda Passport.
According to the JD Power 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Nissan Murano ranks highest in the Midsize SUV segment. The Chevrolet Blazer and the Ford Edge are the next-highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2024 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Hyundai Santa Fe ranks highest in the Midsize SUV segment. The Nissan Murano and the Chevrolet Blazer are the next-highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Passport competitors include the Subaru Outback.
Plenty of two-row crossover SUVs are on the market, but the 2026 Honda Passport stands out from the crowd with its off-road capability, rugged style, and a roomy, comfortable cabin. With an advanced AWD system, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates, the Passport comes ready to tackle adventures off pavement. At the same time, its comfortable ride, spacious cabin, good utility, and advanced technology make the 2026 Passport an excellent choice as an everyday family SUV.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The Ford Transit is the automaker’s full-size cargo and passenger van offering, designed to serve a wide range of commercial and lifestyle applications. With 37 available configurations, the platform ...See More
Read the Full Article
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size, three-row SUV with a standard V8 engine and available diesel power. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup, the Tahoe benefits from its ...See More
Read the Full Article
It is the end of the line for the Ford Escape. After 25 years as a fixture of Ford’s lineup, 2026 will be the compact SUV’s last model year.
Read the Full Article
The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. It ranks among the segment’s most capable trucks for payload and towing, and can be configured for both work and off-road adventures. For 2026, the ...See More
Read the Full Article