Honda Wants You To Know How Tough The 2026 Passport Really Is
As part of Honda's push to reposition the Passport as a serious off-road option, the automaker suspended three 2026 Passport TrailSports nose to tail from a 140-foot crane.
Key Points
- Honda suspends three 2026 Passport TrailSports from a 140-foot crane to showcase the strength of the SUV’s recovery points, with the top vehicle holding over 14,000 pounds.
- TrailSport models feature powder-coated, breakaway front recovery hooks, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a suspension tuned for off-road use.
- Pricing for the 2026 Passport lineup starts at $46,200, with TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims beginning at $49,900 and $53,900, respectively.
Each crossover was connected using its factory recovery points and tow hitches. The first Passport in line was hanging more than 100 feet off the ground with its front tow hooks holding on to 14,000 pounds of Honda crossover.
Recovery hooks are usually over-engineered to handle loads well above the vehicle’s weight, but this is an absurd display of capability. The Passport becomes the brand’s first light truck to feature exposed, heavy-duty front recovery points from the factory.
The orange powder-coated tow hooks are not only corrosion resistant but are also engineered to break away in the event of a front collision—a patented safety feature Honda claims is a world first. The company confirmed that all three vehicles were undamaged following the stunt, with one even making a cross-country trip the following day.
Beyond recovery gear, the TrailSport variant of the 2026 Passport comes with upgraded off-road components, including 31-inch all-terrain tires, a specially tuned suspension, unique AWD tuning for loose surfaces, steel skid plates (4mm in the front, 2.8mm over the fuel tank), and a Class III hitch rated for 5,000 pounds.
The 2026 Passport lineup is on sale now. The base RTL model starts at $46,200, while the TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims, which offer enhanced off-road hardware and styling, begin at $49,900 and $53,900, respectively.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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The real question is will Honda honor the warranty of any Passport that breaks down after being taken off road? If not, then this demo is useless at best and misleading advertising at worst.