2026 Honda Passport - Explore Without Limits

What's New for 2026

The 2026 Honda Passport arrives as an all-new, fourth-generation model, completely redesigned with a focus on rugged styling and off-road capability. It marks a significant update from the previous generation, bringing a host of improvements in performance, technology, and design to automotive enthusiasts in Manchester, NH and throughout New England.

• Bold New Design: A boxier, more rugged exterior with a taller, flatter nose and tough new styling elements (hood scoop, broad grille, amber-accented lighting) gives the Passport a true off-road SUV look.
• Off-Road Upgrades: TrailSport models feature 31-inch all-terrain tires (largest ever on a Honda SUV) and strengthened suspension components for improved trail capability. Steel skid plates and high-visibility recovery hooks are integrated for serious off-road protection.
• Enhanced Powertrain: The trusty 3.5L V6 is updated to 285 hp (a slight +5 hp bump) and paired with a new 10-speed automatic (replacing the old 9-speed) for smoother acceleration. Honda's next-gen i-VTM4® AWD is now standard, offering quicker response and greater torque transfer to the rear wheels for better traction in sticky situations.
• Improved Capability: Towing capacity remains a robust 5,000 lbs, now with standard Trailer Stability Assist. Ground clearance is raised to ~8.3 inches for extra confidence off-road, and a new Hill Descent Control feature helps maintain speed on steep declines.
• Modernized Cabin & Tech: Inside, every Passport now gets a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and even a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster standard. New conveniences like power-folding side mirrors and a heated windshield make their debut as well.
• More Space: Thanks to an updated platform, the 2026 model offers more second-row legroom (about 40.9 inches, +1.3 inches) and the most cargo room in Passport history – roughly 44.0 cu ft behind the rear seats (up by ~6 cu ft). Fold the rear seat flat and you get up to 83+ cu ft for gear.
• New Top Trim: A fully loaded TrailSport Elite trim joins the lineup for 2026, adding luxury touches like leather seating, ventilated seats, premium audio and more (detailed below) to the off-road-ready TrailSport platform.

Trim Comparison

The 2026 Honda Passport is offered in three trim levels: the well-equipped RTL, the off-road enhanced TrailSport, and the top-of-the-line TrailSport Elite. Each trim builds upon the same capable foundation but adds distinct features to suit different preferences. All models share the same powerful V6 engine, new 10-speed transmission, and standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, but they differ in technology, comfort, and styling details. Below is a breakdown of each trim and their key differences:

RTL

The RTL is the Passport's starting trim (starting around $44,750 MSRP) and it's far from "base" in terms of amenities. On the outside, the RTL already carries the new rugged look with matte-black cladding and a gloss black grille, plus silver front/rear skid garnish accents for a tough aesthetic. It rides on 18-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels with all-season tires, suitable for on-road comfort with light off-road capability. All LED lighting (headlights, foglights, tailights) is standard. While the RTL doesn't include the TrailSport's dedicated off-road hardware, it does come with the essentials: roof rails for extra cargo, heated side mirrors, and Honda Sensing® safety features all included.

Inside, the RTL offers a mix of cloth and leather-trimmed seating that's both comfortable and durable. Both front seats are heated and power-adjustable (10-way driver with memory, 4-way passenger). The tech suite is identical across the lineup, so RTL owners get the impressive 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google apps, wireless smartphone integration, digital gauges, and Wi-Fi hotspot just like the higher trims. Other conveniences like tri-zone climate control, the wireless phone charger, and multiple USB ports are standard here as well. The RTL features a power tailgate (liftgate) for easy cargo access. In short, the RTL comes very well-appointed – it's a rugged family SUV with all the core comfort and tech most buyers will need.

TrailSport

Stepping up to the TrailSport (around $48,450 MSRP), Honda dials up the Passport's adventurous side. The TrailSport is immediately identifiable by its unique styling touches: a gloss black grille, orange-accented TrailSport badges, and the amber LED daytime running lights that frame the headlights. It also gets front and rear recovery points for towing or pulling the vehicle in tough off-road spots, including those bold orange-painted front hooks that are engineered with a special breakaway design for safety. The TrailSport rides on aggressive all-terrain tires and its suspension is tuned for off-road readiness, giving it slightly more ground clearance and suspension travel. Skid plates underneath protect vital components when you're traversing rocks or ruts.

Inside the TrailSport, the theme is "rugged yet refined." The upholstery is a black leatherette (synthetic leather) with cloth inserts, accented by orange contrast stitching and embroidered TrailSport logos for a sporty look. All-weather floor mats are included to catch mud and debris from your adventures. The TrailSport shares the RTL's tech features (digital displays, Google built-in, etc.) and comfort features (heated front seats, power seating, etc.), so you're not sacrificing any technology for the added off-road capability. Notably, the TrailSport comes standard with a factory-installed tow hitch and wiring harness, ready to tow up to 5,000 lbs or mount accessories like bike racks immediately. This trim is perfect for buyers who plan to hit the trails on weekends but still want a comfortable daily driver with all the modern gadgets.

TrailSport Elite

The new TrailSport Elite (starting around $52,450 MSRP) is the fully loaded Passport, combining the TrailSport's off-road prowess with a suite of luxury upgrades. On the exterior, the Elite is similar to the standard TrailSport in rugged gear (tires, hooks, skid plates, etc.), but adds subtle premium touches like Smart Entry (hands-free proximity unlocking) and a hands-free power tailgate with walk-away auto-close for convenience. It also wears exclusive 18-inch wheels with a dark tinted clearcoat finish for a distinctive look.

Where the TrailSport Elite truly stands apart is in the cabin. Here you'll find perforated leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching and black piping, replacing the TrailSport's leatherette. Both front seats are not only heated but also ventilated for cooling comfort in summer, and the steering wheel is heated as well – features exclusive to the Elite. Rear passengers are treated to heated outboard seats and integrated rear window sunshades for added comfort and privacy. The Elite also upgrades the audio to a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, delivering richer sound quality than the 9-speaker setup on lower trims. Ambient interior lighting is enhanced in the Elite, with an expanded color spectrum to create a more upscale ambiance at night. Essentially, the TrailSport Elite gives you all the rugged capability of the TrailSport, but with the niceties of a luxury SUV – ideal for those who want to "go anywhere" and do it in comfort and style.

Blackout Package: For those who love a stealthy look, Honda also offers an optional Black Edition package on each trim. An RTL Blackout, TrailSport Blackout, or Elite Blackout swaps in gloss black wheels, blacked-out emblems, and other dark trim accents for a sleek appearance (pricing adds about $1,200 extra to the MSRP). This package doesn't change feature content but purely enhances styling.

As shown above, the RTL covers the essentials with a mix of comfort and capability, the TrailSport adds serious off-road hardware and styling, and the TrailSport Elite delivers a fully loaded experience with all the bells and whistles. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritize rugged features, luxury amenities, or a balance of both – but regardless of trim, every 2026 Passport provides a confident, adventure-ready ride.

Safety Features

The 2026 Passport comes standard with the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies on all trims. This comprehensive package includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS): Automatically applies brakes to help avoid or reduce the severity of a frontal collision.
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM): Helps steer and brake if you begin to leave the road unintentionally.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow: Maintains set speed & distance, even in stop-and-go traffic.
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) with Traffic Jam Assist: Keeps the Passport centered in its lane and provides steering support, even in slow traffic.
• Blind Spot Information System: Monitors your blind spots and alerts you to vehicles alongside. Rear cross-traffic alert is included to warn of approaching vehicles when backing up.
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR): Detects and displays road signs (speed limits, etc.) on the instrument cluster.

In addition to electronic aids, the Passport surrounds you with a strong safety cage and a full array of airbags (front, side, curtain, plus new front knee airbags for 2026). Hill Start Assist and Trailer Stability Assist are standard to further enhance safety and control on grades and when towing. While official crash-test ratings for the 2026 model are pending, Honda's track record and the Passport's upgraded safety tech suggest it will perform well in both NHTSA and IIHS evaluations. Overall, drivers can feel confident that the 2026 Passport is engineered to keep you and your family safe on every adventure.

Exterior

The Passport's new exterior styling is rugged and modern, taking cues from off-road icons. Gone is the rounded look – the 2026 Passport now sports a chiseled, boxy profile with a taller, flatter front end. The grille is a bold rectangular design flanked by redesigned LED headlights. TrailSport models even feature signature amber daytime running lights that outline the headlights for a unique trail-ready appearance. Prominent fender flares, a straighter roofline with chunky roof rails, and new hood sculpting (including a sporty hood scoop) complete the aggressive new look.

Underneath the style, functional upgrades abound. The front fascia on TrailSport trims integrates twin recovery hooks rated to pull double the vehicle's weight, painted in bright TrailSport orange for visibility. A thick steel skid plate is mounted between them to shield the underbody when crawling over rocks. In back, a Class III tow hitch (with 7-pin wiring) comes standard on TrailSport models – it doubles as an extra recovery point and adds protection to the rear bumper. (On the RTL base trim, a towing package is optional to equip the hitch and wiring.) All trims ride on 18-inch wheels, but the designs differ: the RTL gets gloss Shark Gray alloys with all-season tires, while TrailSports receive exclusive 18-inch designs (Matte Shark Gray or Dark Tinted Clearcoat finishes) with beefy General Grabber all-terrain tires for excellent grip on mud, sand, and snow. Despite their knobbier tread, these tires were co-developed with General Tire to remain quiet on the highway.

Other notable exterior features include LED fog lights repositioned higher in the front bumper for protection on rough trails, and an Active Shutter Grille system that closes at highway speeds to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. A range of eye-catching colors is available to suit your style – from the subdued Ash Green Metallic of the TrailSport Elite to a vibrant new Sunset Orange hue perfect for adventure seekers, as well as classics like Obsidian Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Platinum White, Sonic Gray, and Radiant Red Metallic. In short, the 2026 Passport's exterior manages to be both tougher and more refined, equally at home cruising city streets or exploring backwoods trails.

Interior

Inside the 2026 Passport, Honda has blended rugged utility with upscale comfort. The cabin has been completely revamped with a clean, modern design and high-quality materials throughout. A unique touch – TrailSport models feature a topographic map-inspired pattern on the front storage bin mats, emphasizing the SUV's adventurous spirit. All models seat five comfortably, and thanks to the new chassis, rear passengers enjoy more legroom than before (over 40 inches) and a slightly wider cabin. Cargo space is equally impressive: with all seats up, you get about 44 cubic feet of luggage room (plenty for grocery runs or camping gear), and there's a convenient underfloor storage compartment to hide valuables. Folding the 60/40 split rear seat opens up over 83 cubic feet – great for bulkier items or outdoor equipment. For true overlanders, Honda even designed space for an optional full-size spare tire in the rear cargo well so you can carry a matching spare on remote adventures.

The seating and trim differ by model. The RTL comes with a combination of leather and cloth upholstery for durability, while TrailSport upgrades to hard-wearing leatherette with orange contrast stitching and all-season floor mats, befitting its outdoor focus. At the top, the TrailSport Elite indulges occupants with perforated leather seats trimmed with contrast stitching and black piping for a premium look. Heated front seats are standard across the board – perfect for cold mornings – and the Elite goes further by offering ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats as well. The driver's seat is 10-way power-adjustable (with memory settings) and the front passenger seat 4-way power on all trims, making it easy to get comfortable. Additionally, TrailSport Elite drivers will appreciate the heated steering wheel, especially in New England winters.

When it comes to technology, the new Passport really shines. Front and center is the 12.3-inch Color Touchscreen infotainment system, which is standard on every trim – a huge upgrade from the previous generation's smaller display. This crisp HD screen is powered by the latest software including Google built-in apps and navigation, voice-controlled Google Assistant, and access to the Play Store for music and other apps. Of course, it also supports wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ for seamless smartphone integration. The infotainment is paired with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, which can show customizable information and even off-road gauges (like tilt and torque distribution) on TrailSport models.

Every Passport is equipped with modern conveniences such as tri-zone automatic climate control (driver, passenger, and rear zones each adjustable) and wireless device charging (a 15W Qi charger in the center console). There are multiple USB-C ports (one for data, one for charging in front, plus two charging ports for rear passengers) to keep everyone's devices juiced up. A Wi-Fi hotspot capability with 5G connectivity is also standard, allowing passengers to stay connected on road trips. Higher trims add nice-to-haves like an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink®/MyQ (garage door integration) and integrated rear door sunshades to keep the back seat shaded and private (the latter is exclusive to the Elite trim).

For your tunes and podcasts, the RTL and TrailSport come with a robust 215-watt, 9-speaker audio system including a subwoofer. Stepping up to the TrailSport Elite, you get an audiophile-grade Bose 12-speaker premium sound system custom-engineered for the Passport's interior. This system, with Centerpoint surround technology and a rich subwoofer, provides an immersive sound experience for all seats. Other available interior upgrades on the Elite include ambient LED lighting (with expanded color themes), and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock (for easy keyless access). Overall, the 2026 Passport's interior is a significant leap forward – quieter, more tech-savvy, and flexible enough to handle both daily life and far-flung adventures with ease.