Is the 2026 Honda Passport the Most Off-Road-Capable Honda Ever?

From 1994 to 2002, the Honda Passport was a capable off-road-ready SUV.  With a solid rear axle, two-speed transfer case, and body-on-frame construction, it was the most capable Honda SUV ever. One thing, though: It was just a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo.

Nearly 25 years later, Honda claims its 2026 Honda Passport — specifically in TrailSport trim — is now the most capable Honda SUV. With its fully independent suspension, sophisticated all-wheel drive system, skid plates, and 10-speed automatic transmission, it is surprisingly agile and capable when the pavement ends.

The Honda Passport is sandwiched between the compact CR-V and the larger three-row Pilot. Unlike the previous Passport, Honda is debuting this new generation with the TrailSport right out of the gate, and I got the chance to drive it in Puerto Rico.

In short: The 2026 Passport is all nvew with a more aggressive appearance and more off-road capability, especially in TrailSport trim. Despite the lack of a low-range transfer case and a solid rear axle, it has a host of compelling features giving it legitimate adventure chops.

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Review

Like other automakers, Honda has returned to a boxier exterior for some of its SUVs. The previous Passport wasn’t as tough-looking, even in TrailSport trim. Indeed, the 2026 appears more off-road oriented and more adventure-focused with its squared-off style, straighter lines, and stout character. Honda calls it brawny and broad-shouldered. I like the redesign and greatly prefer it to the 2019-2025 model.

There are numerous adventure-focused amenities that aren’t just for show. For instance, the upper exterior trim area above both rearmost side windows is made of plastic instead of painted. You can lean skis, fishing poles, and other recreational gear up against the car without scratching the paint.

There’s a sturdy set of roof rails for racks, front-and-rear vehicle recovery points if you get stuck, and knobby General Grabber all-terrain tires letting buyers go with confidence on adventures.

Is It the Most Off-Road Capable Honda SUV?

Honda is proud of the 2026 Passport TrailSport’s off-road ability, and how it’s the most capable SUV it’s offered. Off-roaders will point to the Isuzu-made Passport and its traditional off-road parts as being the most capable. But I’m going to call a technical foul here, as the original Passport wasn’t really a Honda.

Out of the box, a 2026 Passport TrailSport is indeed capable; more so than most people will need. It follows Honda’s “Rugged Direction” plan for its light truck lineup, according to Jody Suzuki, Sr., Product Planner for the manufacturer. In fact, at this time, Passport, the larger Pilot, and Ridgeline pickup all have TrailSport models. There are even rumors of a CR-V TrailSport in the pipeline.

Off-Road Angles

Time for some off-road-nerd numbers. The new Passport TrailSport has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, 0.2 more than the 2019-2025 Passport Trailsport (and more than the Isuzu-made Rodeo, which had up to 7.9 inches).

It has a 23.0-degree approach angle (up 1.9 from the old models); the 16.7-degree breakover angle is 0.6 less than the previous iteration; and the 23.1-degree departure angle is 1.2 less. The Passport RTL actually has a better 27.1-degree departure angle due to the lack of a standard trailer hitch.

Factory Off-Road Equipment

The new Passport TrailSport lineup channels nearly 50 years of off-road DNA. Remember, Honda’s been involved in dirt bikes, ATVs/UTVs, and Baja racing for years.

For example, Passport TrailSport comes standard with 31-inch (275/60R18) General Grabber all-terrain tires. They were co-developed with Honda and have a unique rubber compound and tread pattern. The vehicle includes a 5/32-inch thick steel skid plate for the engine and transmission, and a 3/32-inch steel fuel tank skid plate.

Passport TrailSport can also be had with legitimate rock sliders made from extruded aluminum and featuring replaceable stainless steel bash plates.

Lastly, TrailSports have two rated recovery points up front, and a standard rear hitch with recovery points. Honda recently demonstrated those hooks by hanging three Passports from a crane.

Honda Passport TrailSport’s Other Off-Road Bits

While all-terrain tires and skid plates are great for added capability, the Passport Trailsport lineup is more than that. The TrailSport’s suspension is tuned for off-road use with thinner sway bars for comfort off pavement and increased suspension articulation for driving over obstacles, and digressive valve-type dampers tuned for a reduction in compression and increased rebound damping.

Honda says its Ramp Travel Index (RTI), a measure of suspension articulation, is up 11.6% now. There are also new forged steel front suspension arms, cast-iron knuckles, and a rear suspension boasting 21% more lateral stiffness.

However, there is no low-range transfer case, and it uses a front-wheel-biased all-wheel-drive system. When needed, up to 70% of the engine’s power can be sent to the rear wheels. And, through electronic torque vectoring, up to 100% of that power can be shifted to either wheel. What this means is that if a rear tire lifts off the ground when off-roading, power will still get to the one that has traction.

Multiple Drive Modes & TrailWatch Camera System

To round out its off-road readiness, TrailSport models offer several drive modes, including Trail, Sand, and Snow. Each will change throttle calibration, all-wheel drive function, and other dynamics. Ensuring maximum traction in different terrain.

The Passport has a big, long hood, and it affects forward visibility off-road. To combat this, Honda’s excellent TrailWatch system provides four camera angles. My favorite is the forward-facing one, which includes tire path graphics. This was fantastic while traversing Puerto Rico’s narrow jungle-like trails.

Off-Road Driving: Surely Sure-Footed

My time behind the Passport’s wheel started off-road. I put a Passport TrailSport Elite through a myriad of steep climbs and descents, off-camber corners, narrow tracks, and loose beach sand.

Early on, I encountered a section that showcased the rig’s articulation and torque vectoring. Vehicles with limited suspension travel often find themselves on three wheels when going over obstacles. As anticipated, when going through an undulating off-road section, one of the rear wheels left the ground as the opposite front wheel went into a hole.

One tire in the air is when vehicles with open differentials often get stuck, as power is usually sent to the wheel without traction. But the Passport’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system sent power to the tire on the ground. I motored through without getting hung up. This new second-gen rear drive unit offers 30% faster responses than the previous iteration, too.

The aggressive 31-inch General Grabber tires provided great traction, and their tall diameter (for a stock AWD mid-sized SUV) added precious ground clearance. The skid plates and the rock sliders did their jobs multiple times as I crested hills and navigated undulating obstacles.

I can’t stress the importance of Honda’s TrailWatch cameras. This driving would have been dicey without them due to the huge hood. This system automatically turns on in Trail mode. Also, Honda’s hill descent control, which is very good, engages with the press of a button. It can be operated at speeds between 2 and 12 mph, and be adjusted with a press of the brake or accelerator.

2026 Honda Passport Is a Very Good AWD Off-Roader

Overall, Passport TrailSport felt capable, planted, and stable off-road, confidently navigating our curated tropical test trail. It was nimble enough to get through tight sections but still felt bigger than it appeared. The huge hood, which hampered visibility, didn’t help this. TrailWatch cameras to the rescue!

The Passport TrailSport trims will be more capable than most buyers will ever need. Those looking for a super-capable SUV will still gravitate toward Toyota’s 4Runner, a Ford Bronco, or Jeep’s Grand Cherokee. If only for a low-range transfer case providing creepy-crawly low-speed driving for technical terrain.

But, like the Honda Ridgeline pickup, the Passport may fill a niche for people who don’t need a true 4WD system with low range but still want other benefits of this type of vehicle.

On-Road Driving: A Mix of Car- and SUV-Like Qualities

Passport TrailSport was a mix of car- and SUV-like qualities when sticking to the street. The steering was surprisingly light, like a car or crossover. The handling was mostly car-like, too.

I threw the 4,705-pound Passport TrailSport Elite into the twisties, and it hung on more than I expected, and offered good control, but it felt heavy on its feet. Plus, the turning radius was surprisingly good.

The Passport TrailSport’s ride felt more like a large SUV with a feeling of weightiness and heft, but it was compliant. Numerous sections of bad pavement and wheel-eating potholes (two of which I hit) looked treacherous. But the Passport TrailSport soaked up big hits without upsetting the chassis. It’s not a silky-smooth ride, but also not boat-like or floaty.

It should be noted that all 2026 Passport models offer 72% more front lateral rigidity and 50% more rear lateral rigidity for better handling than the previous generation.

The new 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 creates adequate power and accelerates respectably on the highway. Passing from 55 miles per hour to 70 felt prompt. Slower speed acceleration blasts felt sufficient, but it’s not meant for sprinting despite having a 9% lower first gear.

Off-road, however, power felt more than adequate. The new 10-speed automatic transmission didn’t raise any concerns, which is what you want in a transmission that shifts itself. Honda does offer paddle shifters, which can be an asset, especially if you venture off-road. It’s good to be able to hold first or second gears. The gear selector is similar to the previous generation and is a push-button affair.  

There’s one other SUV-like thing to mention: fuel economy. TrailSport models are rated at a thirsty 18 mpg city, 23 highway, and 20 combined.

Comfortable, Spacious Interior

The roomy interior is well designed with Honda’s excellent ergonomics and above-average materials. The orange TrailSport theme can be found throughout the cabin, including headrest logos, stitching, floor mats, etc.

The front seats — heated and optionally cooled — are wide and comfortable, although I’d like more side bolstering. The rear seat is also adequate to haul adults. Fold those rear seats down and you’ve got a cavernous cargo carrier. Add to it a plethora of storage throughout, and few will complain about a lack of places to put gear.

Honda put a lot of effort into making Passport TrailSport an adventuremobile. There are available MOLLE panels for the cargo area so you can affix more cargo in your cargo hold, for example. There’s also an available spare tire mount for the inside for those who’d prefer quick access if you get a flat.

The Honda Table Returns

Long-time Honda fanatics will remember the removable picnic table in older CR-V models’ cargo floor. Well, Honda has brought it back, and it can be used as a horizontal divider in the cargo area. It’s adorned with a topographic design representing the HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) testing area in California — a fun Easter egg.

Honda has long been known for great ergonomics, and that continues with the Passport. The 10.2-inch digital instrumentation is easy to read and configurable. Additions included an altimeter and a compass for heading. Everything from climate control to the infotainment system was a cinch to use. I never had to futz with anything to get it right. It was all easy and intuitive.

Hey Google …

For infotainment, Passport now uses Google’s suite of products, including Maps/Assistant, as standard fare (CarPlay is also present). The brilliant center 12.3-inch color touchscreen display is large and easy to read. The optional 12-speaker Bose audio system sounded great as I played vintage reggae while cruising around northeastern Puerto Rico.

To stay charged and connected, Passport offers two USB-C ports and a 12V outlet upfront, two USB-C and a 115V/150W inverter in the back seat, and another 115V plug in the cargo area. It also offers wireless phone charging and 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability.

Accessories Aplenty

Honda offers lots of unique factory accessories to help buyers get the most out of their Passports. This includes adventure-oriented roof racks, interior cargo management, spare tire carriers, and more.

Some items are installed at the production facility in Alabama, others at local dealerships. Honda breaks accessories down into styling, utility, functional, and protection items.

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport First Drive Review: Conclusions

The 2026 Passport TrailSport takes the Honda TrailSport up a level. The parts come together to make an impressively civilized and capable package. Having an adventure-centric version of a crossover or SUV is a popular thing these days, but Honda’s Passport TrailSport is more than just all-terrain tires and black fender cladding. It works and it looks the part.

There’s not a whole lot not to like on the new Passport, sans perhaps the fuel economy. But no one’s buying this to save gas money. They’re looking for adventure, and they might just find it in a Honda SUV, of all things.