5 Reasons To Love The 2026 Honda Passport
The midsize two-row SUV segment is fiercely competitive, but Honda hit a clear home run with its redesigned 2026 Passport TrailSport. Building on the solid foundation of the Honda Pilot platform, the newest Passport combines genuine off-road capability with impressive daily practicality and refined road manners.
After putting it through its paces across highways, city streets, and dirt trails, here are 5 things we absolutely love about the 2026 Honda Passport:
1. Reliable V6 Power and Smooth Highway Cruising
While many modern competitors are ditching natural aspiration in favor of tiny turbocharged engines, Honda stuck to its guns with a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 pushing 285 horsepower.
Paired with a slick 10-speed automatic transmission, the setup delivers smooth, predictable power with zero turbo lag. The powertrain really shines on the open road—the V6 torque and well-tuned gearing make long-distance freeway cruising effortless and quiet.
2. Capable i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive Tech
The Passport isn't just about rugged plastic cladding; it backs up its tough appearance with real-world trail hardware. Standard on the 2026 model is Honda's upgraded i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
It can send up to 70% of available engine torque to the rear wheels, and 100% of that torque to either individual rear wheel. Combined with the TrailSport trim's lifted suspension, protective skid plates, and meatier all-terrain tires, it tackles rough terrain and lifted-wheel trail obstacles with ease.
3. Smart, Practical Interior Tech
Honda nailed the balance between modern digital displays and tactile physical controls inside the cabin. You get a sharp 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a fast, responsive 12.3-inch central touchscreen running Google built-in software.
Crucially, Honda kept real physical knobs and buttons for the climate control system and audio volume. Plus, features like a dedicated camera button right on the turn-signal stalk allow drivers to instantly trigger external trail views without digging through digital menus.
4. Cavernous Rear Passenger and Cargo Space
Removing the third row found in the Pilot allows the Passport to offer an exceptionally spacious two-row interior layout. Rear passengers enjoy massive legroom and headroom, making long-distance road trips comfortable for adults.
Behind the second row sits a huge 44 cubic-foot cargo hold that expands even further when the rear seats are folded completely flat, leaving plenty of room for camping gear or luggage.
5. Excellent Road Manners and Cabin Insulation
Despite riding on rugged all-terrain tires, the TrailSport Elite delivers remarkably quiet and supple ride quality on pavement. The beefed-up chassis rigidity, acoustic windshield glass, and tight door seals keep wind and tire noise out of the cabin. Steering is light, direct, and responsive, allowing the midsize crossover to feel nimble and easy to maneuver around town.
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