2026 Honda Passport

Fully redesigned 2026 Passport uses a 3.5L NA V6 producing 285 hp (up 5 hp from prior gen), shared across all trims.

Peak torque of the standard (and only) 3.5L V6 across all trims.

Car and Driver's TrailSport instrumented run posted ~7.3 s; heavier TrailSport Elite has been clocked at 8.0 s flat. 7.3 s is a fair mid-range figure for the volume TrailSport.

Reviewers praise the V6's smooth mid-range and confident highway passing, but Consumer Reports flagged some low-speed hesitation where power arrives abruptly. Overall competent but not class-leading versus turbo-4/hybrid rivals.

New 10-speed automatic (up from 9-speed) shifts smoothly at cruise with better highway ratios, but low-speed calibration draws criticism for hesitation and occasional abruptness.

Manufacturer rating of 5,000 lbs when properly equipped; unchanged from prior generation and typical for the two-row mid-size class.

i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD is standard on every 2026 Passport trim (RTL, TrailSport, TrailSport Elite, Black Edition) — no FWD option — with updated calibration and quicker torque response than the prior generation.

TrailSport trims add genuine hardware: 8.3" ground clearance, 23° approach / 23.1° departure / 16.7° breakover, 4 mm steel engine skid plate plus fuel-tank skid, 31" General Grabber A/T tires, available rock rails, and Trail mode. A credible light-to-mid off-roader but lacks a low range, lockers, or disconnecting sway bars, so it trails dedicated body-on-frame off-roaders (4Runner, Wrangler, Bronco).

Single powertrain across the entire 2026 lineup — 3.5L V6 with 10-speed auto and standard AWD. No turbocharged, hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant offered; Honda's electrified two-row SUV coverage sits with Prologue and CR-V hybrid instead.

Fully redesigned 2026 Passport uses a 3.5L V6 with standard AWD across the lineup; no hybrid option, so combined MPG is well below segment mid-size SUV norms.

V6 + standard AWD + ~4,500 lb curb weight and no hybrid assist yields poor city figures compared with segment leaders that offer hybrid powertrains.

Blended volume-trim highway figure reflects the mainstream RTL AWD; TrailSport trims give up ~2 MPG on the highway due to knobbier tires and a lifted stance.

Large 21-gallon fuel tank paired with modest combined MPG produces a decent, not exceptional, single-tank range for a mid-size two-row SUV.

Fueleconomy.gov's standard 15k-mile assumption combined with sub-21 MPG combined pushes annual fuel spend well above the segment mid-size SUV median, hurt further on TrailSport trims.

Passport runs on regular 87-octane unleaded across all trims — no premium requirement, no diesel or E85 complication. Simple, cheap-to-refuel fuel needs offset the poor economy somewhat.

Redesigned 2026 Passport is new to market and not yet officially rated by NHTSA; all prior generations (2019-2025) earned 5-star overall, and Honda's global light truck platform architecture is engineered for top crash performance.

2026 Passport is a new generation not yet fully IIHS-tested; Honda's shared platform vehicles have earned strong (but not universally Top Safety Pick+) results. Expect Good ratings on core crash tests but pending updated small-overlap and side-impact evaluation.

Honda Sensing 360 is standard on every 2026 Passport trim (RTL, TrailSport, TrailSport Elite), including CMBS/AEB, ACC with Low-Speed Follow, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Traffic Jam Assist, plus standard Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor across the lineup.

Honda's Collision Mitigation Braking System with pedestrian detection has consistently earned Superior/Advanced ratings in IIHS front-crash prevention tests on related Honda models; 2026 uses upgraded front radar and wide-angle camera per Honda Sensing 360.

Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor is standard on all 2026 Passport trims (alert-only, no active steering intervention). Trailer coverage not extended for towing scenarios.

Honda Sensing 360 upgrades LKAS with improved sensor fusion and adds lane change assistance on the new Passport; reviewers of related Honda Sensing 360 vehicles (Accord, CR-V) note competent centering with occasional light interventions but no severe ping-ponging.

Full-speed range ACC with Low-Speed Follow paired with Traffic Jam Assist provides smooth stop-and-go behavior. Highway assist function integrates ACC with LKAS/lane centering for hands-on-wheel highway driving, well reviewed on other Honda Sensing 360 vehicles.

Honda does not offer a true hands-free highway driving system on the 2026 Passport. Honda Sensing 360 requires hands on the wheel; no equivalent to Ford BlueCruise, GM Super Cruise, or Tesla Autopilot/FSD is available.

Standard LED headlights with auto high beams across all 2026 Passport trims. Prior-generation Passport headlights earned IIHS Good ratings on higher trims. TrailSport trims add off-road-oriented LED fog lights.

The redesigned 2026 Passport adopts a more upright, boxy body with taller greenhouse and improved sightlines vs. the outgoing model. Standard multi-angle rear camera; 360-degree camera available on upper trims. Reviewers praise the improved forward and side visibility.

Two-row 5-passenger layout with wide rear-door openings and generous rear-seat space provides easy LATCH anchor access and room to install multiple child seats without space compromises typical of 3-row SUVs.

Redesigned 2026 Passport remains a 5-passenger, two-row SUV across all trims (RTL, TrailSport, TrailSport Elite, Black Edition). No third-row option is offered — Honda positions the three-row Pilot separately.

Volume TrailSport uses the standard roof for 40.5 in front headroom; Elite and Black Edition drop to 39.1 in with the panoramic moonroof.

Front legroom is 41.1 in across all 2026 Passport trims — solid but not class-leading for a mid-size SUV.

Second-row headroom of 40.7 in on TrailSport's standard roof is exceptional for the segment; moonroof-equipped trims still deliver a strong 39.6 in.

40.9 in of second-row legroom is near-limousine for a two-row SUV — a signature strength of the redesigned Passport.

The 2026 Passport is a strictly two-row, five-seat SUV — no third row is offered on any trim. Per the framework, absence of any third row anchors this near the floor.

44.0 cu ft behind the second row is roughly average for a two-row mid-size SUV — the Passport prioritizes passenger space and off-road hardware over raw cargo volume.

83.8 cu ft with the 60/40 rear seat folded — a strong number for a two-row SUV and a meaningful step up over the previous-generation Passport.

New Passport adds a large center console with removable tray, an underfloor cargo well, dedicated device slots, and (TrailSport+) roof-rail crossbar mounts plus a versatile cargo area with tie-downs. Well-executed for utility, though not class-defining vs. Ford Pro Power or Rivian's gear tunnel.

TrailSport adds bolstered leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching and 10-way power for the driver; early reviews consistently praise long-haul comfort and back-seat spaciousness vs. the prior generation.

Retuned suspension and TrailSport-specific dampers plus 31-inch General Grabber A/T tires deliver composed on-road manners with some added float and firmness over sharp impacts. Non-TrailSport RTL rides slightly smoother on all-season tires.

Active noise cancellation and acoustic windshield help, but TrailSport's all-terrain tires and the boxier body generate more highway road and wind noise than segment quieter picks. Non-TrailSport RTL runs noticeably quieter.

Heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate are standard; TrailSport adds a heated steering wheel; Elite and Black Edition add ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a 12-speaker Bose system. Rear vents standard across the lineup.

Redesigned third-gen 2026 Passport starts at the RTL trim, well above the outgoing model — Honda repositioned it as a rugged, higher-content mid-size two-row SUV with standard AWD.

TrailSport is the marketing hero and volume trim for the redesigned Passport; adds off-road hardware, all-terrain tires, and TrailWatch camera. Pricier than mainstream three-row rivals like Pilot Touring.

Honda's 3.5L V6 and 10-speed automatic are proven, low-maintenance drivetrains; TrailSport's all-terrain tires and higher-content trim modestly raise wear-item costs vs a base Pilot.

Honda's brand-wide resale strength plus the redesigned Passport's rugged TrailSport positioning support strong residuals; slightly below CR-V/HR-V because of higher transaction prices to absorb.

Honda's standard 3/36 bumper-to-bumper coverage is industry-baseline — well short of Hyundai/Kia (5/60) and Genesis (5/60).

Honda's 5/60 powertrain matches most mainstream OEMs but trails Hyundai/Kia's 10/100,000 by half.

Honda includes 24-hour roadside assistance during the 3-year basic warranty and a HondaLink connected-service trial, but offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance program (unlike Toyota's 2-year ToyotaCare, Chevrolet's 1-yr free maintenance, or luxury rivals with 3-yr plans).

$51,295 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (61% retained, or about $31,290) leaves about $20,005 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,300 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $25,305 in total.

All-new 3rd-generation Passport shares the current Pilot's TrailSport chassis and 3.5L V6/10AT powertrain; Pilot has posted below-average CR predicted reliability since its 2023 redesign, and first-year new-body Hondas historically carry elevated risk.

Honda consistently ranks in the top third of CR brand reliability and J.D. Power VDS in the last several years, though it has slipped from its historical top-5 dominance.

New model has no owned recall history yet, but the shared Pilot/Ridgeline platform saw multiple NHTSA recalls in 2023-2025 (fuel pump, hood latch, transmission software) and Honda's J35 V6 line was affected by the 2023-2024 connecting-rod investigation on select US-built engines.

The 3.5L J35Y V6 has a strong long-term durability reputation across two decades of Pilot/Ridgeline/Odyssey/Passport use; the ZF-derived 10-speed automatic has matured since its 2019 introduction with no widespread failure pattern.

TrailSport-only 2026 lineup pushes premium orange-stitched leather, soft-touch upper dash, and unique trim vs. base Pilot — reviewers call the cabin a clear step up from the outgoing Passport, though still short of near-luxury rivals like Grand Cherokee Overland.

Honda's Lincoln, AL plant produces generally solid assembly, but first-year launches for the Pilot/Passport family have historically shown higher initial-quality complaints in the first 6-12 months of production.

Honda operates roughly 1,000+ US franchised dealers with dense coverage in every state and consistently ranks above the industry average in J.D. Power Customer Service Index for mass-market brands.

The 3.5L V6 and 10AT are shared with Pilot, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Acura MDX — enormous parts commonality, strong aftermarket, and RepairPal average annual repair cost in the low-$500s for Passport historically.

All-new 4th-gen 2026 Passport moves to a 12.3-inch center touchscreen standard on every trim (RTL, TrailSport, TrailSport Elite) — Honda calls it a 54% larger display than the outgoing model.

New Google built-in system (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Play Store) replaces Honda's older HondaLink stack; Prologue and Acura MDX/RDX use similar Google-native software and have been praised for responsiveness and clean layout. Physical volume/tune knobs retained.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every 2026 Passport trim — no wired-only base trim.

Google Assistant provides natural-language voice control and Google Maps is the native navigation system — best-in-class in-car nav that most owners will actually use rather than bypass.

TrailSport Elite comes standard with a 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio system; RTL and TrailSport get an 8-speaker system. Bose in Honda applications is solid but not class-leading — Palisade's Harman Kardon and Grand Highlander's JBL are comparable.

10.2-inch full-digital driver display on TrailSport Elite; lower trims use a partial-digital cluster with a 7-inch info screen flanked by analog gauges. Not a full-digital-across-the-board setup like Kia/Hyundai's mid-size 3-rows.

Google built-in delivers OTA updates for Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store apps, but Honda does not push full-vehicle firmware updates (powertrain, ADAS calibrations). Infotainment/maps OTA only.

HondaLink app provides remote start, lock/unlock, locate, and vehicle status. Reliable but not as polished as MyHyundai / Kia Access, and premium remote features require a paid subscription after the trial. No phone-as-key on Passport.

USB-C ports in the first and second rows (up to four total), 15W wireless phone charger standard on TrailSport and above, plus a 12V outlet. No household 115V outlet on the gas-only Passport, unlike some hybrid rivals.

Smart Entry with push-button start standard on all trims; remote engine start via key fob standard; hands-free power tailgate on TrailSport Elite. Phone-as-key not offered.

Multi-angle rear-view camera standard on all trims; front and rear parking sensors on TrailSport; Multi-View (surround) camera system on TrailSport Elite. No automated parking assist.

HUD offered only on the top TrailSport Elite trim; the volume TrailSport and base RTL do not offer one. Limits reach for most buyers.

Boxy, tall body opens wide with big door apertures for easy car-seat loading; unusually generous 3 full LATCH sets across the second row (vs. 2 typical for the class) and a flat cargo floor with 60/40 flat-folding seats make stroller/gear logistics easy. Tall step-in is the only real friction for younger kids.

IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ and NHTSA 5-star overall, with Honda Sensing standard across every trim (adaptive cruise, LKAS, forward-collision warning/braking, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring) and eight standard airbags — a stronger safety proposition than most sub-$50K family SUVs where key ADAS still costs extra.

40.9 in rear legroom, 40.7 in rear headroom and 61.7 in shoulder room make row 2 genuinely adult-friendly, and 44.0 cu ft behind row 2 swallows a family's luggage easily. Tri-zone climate with rear vents, wireless charging, and available panoramic roof help; only knock is no third row for larger families and gas-only 20 mpg cuts range vs. hybrid rivals.

285 hp 3.5L V6 with 10-speed auto delivers smooth, unstressed daily power and standard i-VTM4 AWD adds confidence in weather. Commanding seating position and good outward visibility from the upright greenhouse help in traffic, but the 191.5 in length and squared-off body create more wind noise and less nimble low-speed feel than smaller commuter SUVs.

18/23/20 mpg on the sole V6 gas powertrain is the Passport's weakest use-case dimension — meaningfully thirstier per commuting mile than hybridized mid-size SUVs (RAV4 Hybrid ~39 combined, CR-V Hybrid ~37, even Grand Highlander Hybrid ~34). No hybrid or PHEV option makes daily fuel spend a real drag.

At 191.5 in long by 79.4 in wide the Passport is larger than the typical commuter mid-size crossover, so tight urban parking takes care. Standard rearview camera plus multi-view camera on TrailSport Elite and the tall, upright glass area help offset the footprint, but the boxier front end and A/T tires on TrailSport widen the turning envelope.

5,000 lb tow rating (with the towing package) is competitive for a mid-size 2-row unibody SUV and the V6's 262 lb-ft plus 10-speed handle grades under load. Boxy 83.8 cu ft cargo hold with flat load floor swallows light-commercial gear. Not truck territory, but a legit light-duty work companion.

Honda's long-run reliability reputation and the proven J35 V6 / 10-speed drivetrain (shared with Pilot/Ridgeline) give solid confidence for repetitive duty. All-new 2026 platform hasn't accumulated fleet miles yet, and it's a unibody crossover so heavy off-pavement work will stress components more than a body-on-frame truck.

Standard roof rails on TrailSport, factory hitch (with tow prep), tie-downs and underfloor storage cover the basics, and TrailSport adds recovery points and skid plates. No factory 120V outlet or work-truck upfit ecosystem; cargo surfaces are carpeted rather than washable rubber, limiting true jobsite duty.

Comfortable, wide seats and a quiet-for-a-box highway ride per first-drive reviews, plus standard Honda Sensing (adaptive cruise, LKAS) reduces driver fatigue on the interstate. ~420-mile theoretical range from 20 mpg combined and roughly 21-gal tank is adequate but well behind hybrid or diesel tourers.

Genuine adventure hardware: 8.3 in ground clearance on TrailSport, 23°/28° approach/departure, standard AWD across all trims with upgraded i-VTM4 that can send 100% of torque to a single rear wheel, factory 31-in General Grabber A/T tires, skid plates and recovery hooks. Among unibody mid-size SUVs, this is a top-tier off-pavement package — well above the outgoing Passport and above rivals like Murano/Edge.

44.0 cu ft behind row 2 and 83.8 cu ft with row 2 folded is class-leading for a mid-size two-row SUV, backed by a flat load floor, 60/40 flat-folding rear seats, underfloor storage bin, standard roof rails on TrailSport and a factory hitch. Bulky gear (bikes, coolers, camping kit) loads and hauls with less compromise than most rivals.

Fully redesigned 2026 Passport shifts to a more truck-like architecture with higher ground clearance (8.3+ in) and increased body roll versus the outgoing car-based generation. Composed and secure but no longer agile; reviews describe it as capable rather than sporty.

Honda's electric power steering is accurate and consistently weighted but numb, similar to Pilot. Adequate precision for the class with limited feedback.

Four-wheel disc brakes with progressive pedal and confident stopping power for a two-row mid-size SUV; no reports of fade issues.

3.5L V6 paired with the 10-speed automatic delivers smooth linear thrust with well-calibrated shifts and no hybrid or stop-start harshness (Passport is gas-only).

V6 is smooth and pleasantly muted under normal load; some engine boom at wide-open throttle and A/T tire noise on TrailSport trims, but volume RTL/EX-L trims stay civil.

Honda's published curb-to-curb turning diameter for the 2026 Passport; the longer wheelbase versus the previous generation keeps it near the upper end of the mid-size SUV range.

Excellent outward visibility from the taller, more upright cabin, wide seat/wheel adjustment range, and clean control layout with physical HVAC knobs. Ingress/egress is very good thanks to the more truck-like proportions.

Competent and comfortable but not engaging — the redesign trades the outgoing model's carlike sportiness for off-road character. Pleasant to drive daily; enthusiasts will find it forgettable.

Base RTL trim includes standard AWD, full Honda Sensing suite, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED headlights, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen — competitive kit for the price, but starting at ~$46K it isn't loaded relative to a base 4Runner SR5 or Bronco Big Bend that undercut it.

You get a 285-hp V6, standard AWD, real off-road hardware on TrailSport (31-inch General Grabber A/Ts, steel skid plates, hill descent), and modern tech, but MSRPs climbed ~$3–5K vs. the outgoing generation, so bang-for-buck is fair rather than exceptional versus a Grand Cherokee or Explorer.

Lineup is only three core trims (RTL, TrailSport, Black Edition) with a single V6/10AT/AWD powertrain — no hybrid, no cheaper FWD variant — narrower than the CR-V/Pilot ladder and thinner than the wide-spread 4Runner or Bronco lineups.

Passport historically moves ~40–55K units/year in the US — a mid-pack mid-size SUV, well behind CR-V, RAV4, or the redesigned Pilot; the 2026 redesign should nudge volume upward but it remains a niche 2-row play.

Honda carries strong buyer trust for reliability, resale, and low ownership cost, and the new rugged/TrailSport identity gives Passport more brand character than before; still doesn't have Toyota 4Runner's cult status.

As an all-new 2026 launch with constrained early inventory, transaction prices are typically at or above MSRP with minimal cash/APR incentives — poor buyer benefit at this stage of the cycle.

Fourth-generation Passport, fully redesigned for 2026 on Honda's new light-truck platform with new body, interior, tech stack, and dedicated off-road TrailSport hardware — no redesign risk for years.

Early reviews praise ruggedness, cabin quality, ride, and real off-road capability from the TrailSport, with pricing and the V6-only powertrain as the main knocks; too new for major awards but has drawn positive comparison-test finishes against 4Runner and Grand Cherokee.