2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Review
2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Quick Stats
MSRP: $46,450 (including $1,450 destination charge)
Engine: 3.5 Liter V6
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined): 19/24/21 MPG
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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
The early Honda Passports always left me a bit confused. I never could figure out a reason why someone would get a Passport over a Pilot. First, they looked exactly the same; Honda just lopped off X inches from the back of the Pilot to make a Passport, then gave each other a 'high five.' If you thought pricing would be the differentiator, then you'd be wrong. The most popular EX-L trim on both models only sat about $850 apart. Any human could walk into a dealer and get that price knocked off by just smiling at the receptionist. Yes, moving up trim levels, the price difference grows, but not the looks... so again, it just always confused me.
Now the 2026 model year Passport is a completely different story. First, Honda finally decided to make the visual differences... err, more different between the Passport and the Pilot. Both look good, but the Passport has an added ruggedness to it that the Pilot eschews for a bit more classy flair. Regardless, both look pretty good in their own rights. Yes, pricing is a bit wonky on the EX-L trim, but moving up trim levels clearly defines a $4500 price difference between the two... especially apparent in the Trailsport trim levels like our test model.
What is the Trailsport? Think of it as Honda's TRD Pro trim level. You take your mid-ish range trim level and you send it to Off-Road boot camp. What you get back is a meatier version of the scrawny brat you sent in before. All the meat gives you the following:
Reprogrammed off-road specific AWD system
Off-road suspension
Squishy, huge, lovely side-walled AT Tires
Actual off-road wheels
Metal skid plates
And more
All of that combined transforms the Passport into a legitimate off-road machine, but in the Honda way. What does that mean? Honda has always placed itself in a unique class in the realm of trucks and now off-roady vehicles. Honda's competitors leverage traditional (old school) body-on-frame chassis for their trucks and off-roady vehicles. So, such vehicles like the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Colorado... have all the same inherent problem: on-road civility. Yes, the aforementioned vehicles do ride well for 'what they are,' but compared to the unibody-based Passport and Ridgeline... there is no comparison. The Hondas are just better... all across the board. From ride quality, NVH, handling, and space... for everyday, average consumer-based appeal... the Honda way is just better.
That's not to take anything away from the Passport Trailsport and its off-road ability. First, it has (as I said before on Acura's version), the most advanced AWD system on the planet. Yes, I say this as a dude who has owned 5 Audis and has one sitting under a car cover right now. Sure 'quattro' is more famous, but what sets Honda's letter vomity i-VTM4 apart is active MECHANICAL torque vectoring front AND rear. 99% of all other AWD systems have a faux version that squeezes the brakes to force more torque to the non-spinny wheel. The Honda version, on the other hand, will actually lock a physical piece of metal to transfer the torque. What that means is instantaneous traction in any and all conditions. It's not a traditional 'triple locker' per se, but it's a damn sight better than using the ABS to mimic one. Call it the best of both worlds. Oh, none of its other competitors come equipped with triple lockers other than the shopping cart-like Wrangler.
Let's break down its advantages:
Front and Rear Mechanical Active Differentials
Comes, stock... aka Free Ninety-nine
Think of it as a 21st-century version of a traditional 'triple locked' system.
Now that we have fully explained how its AWD system is the best out there... how about everything else bolted to it? Well, the off-road suspension is fracking brilliantly tuned. Rides beautifully, and when going off-road, it's just as good as it is on-road. The AT tires look loud but are surprisingly quiet and handle torrential Georgia summer rain like a champ. The cloth inserts, along with orange trim, make it truly stand out without being all shouty about it. Oh, and it's fracking huge on the inside!
The Passport has more rear legroom than the 4Runner AND the Land Cruiser, along with MORE cargo space. It's borderline cathedral on the inside of the Passport. It's airy, comfortable, and with Honda's sensibility, like the sides of the cargo area having a recessed area to fit a gallon of milk, you have other areas to fit fuel cans on the side, and lift up the floor cover and you'll find further recessed space to fit other items. Basically, you can shove the cargo area of the Passport full of stuff and never actually eat up any square footage of space. Fracking brilliant!
Oh, and it's a massive $20,450 cheaper than the equivalent 4Runner TRD Pro. So let’s try the TRD Sport, the Passport ends up still being $2,250 cheaper also $5,540 cheaper than the equivalent Bronco Badlands, and $7,000 cheaper than a stupid Wrangler Rubicon.
Is there anything I don't like about the Passport Trailsport?
Yeah... a few:
First, the brakes do not do anything for the first 40% of travel, and when they do grab, the pedal feels like stepping on a wet piece of wood. Second, the transmission... ain't the best. It's slow in every mode, using the paddles is worthless, it doesn't blip on downshifts, you can actually count the seconds between shifts (about 2-3 seconds), and it randomly clunks from first to second gear. Lastly, the venerable and lovely J series, 3.5 Liter V6 feels neutered. 'Normal' mode kills the naturally aspirated throttle response you expect, and Sport makes things a 'bit' better, but then you have to contend with the transmission. Lastly, I don't know why, it also sounds neutered. The last Odyssey I tested had me screaming 'VTEC!' every time I floored it... with the Passport, it had me whimper 'where is the VTEC?' instead.
Summary:
So, what's the verdict on the 2026 Passport Trailsport? Despite a few quirks that Honda needs to iron out—like those mushy brakes, that clunky transmission, and the neutered V6 feel and sound—this rig is a surprisingly brilliant piece of kit for the average Joe or Jane who wants real off-road capability without sacrificing everyday civility. Honda truly nailed the "best of both worlds" here, delivering a genuinely capable, spacious, and comfortable vehicle that’s just better to live with than its body-on-frame rivals. If you want a legit adventure machine that doesn't beat you up on the commute and keeps your wallet happier, the Passport Trailsport is absolutely worth a serious look.
Yousef Alvi
