We recently tested the all-new, 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, and enjoyed the model’s added capability and rugged looks. So, it was just fitting that our next tester was the all-new 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport – which the manufacturer says is the most off-road capable Honda SUV yet. Big news! And worthy of a test drive.

Born Wild

Well, the TrailSport makes a strong first impression.

Based on the grand concept “Born Wild”, the new front end is blocky and aggressive, with a blacked-out hood scoop sitting atop a middle grille with oval segments, braced by projector headlights with cool signature amber LED DRL lighting. Underneath a panel with PASSPORT stamped in steel is a blacked out lower fascia, with a contrasting metallic tone lower bumper that looks like a hockey player’s mouthguard. Round projector fogs add to the tough mug, while dual orange recovery hooks on the bottom finish off the look.

Honda says the profile has a “backpack” design theme – we’ll just say the profile looks equal parts rugged and capable. From the top, strong roof rails sit atop blacked out window trim, while blacked out mirrors, door handles, fender liners and lower rails look ready to scramble through the rough stuff.

There’s very little overhang front or rear to help clear sharp ascents and descents, while muscular fender flares, and a raised ride height really help show off the gorgeous blacked-out 18-inch wheels. The new 31-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires (275/60R18) were co-developed exclusively with General Tire for the new Passport TrailSport. Very cool!

How serious was Honda about its off-road gear? The antenna, is now integrated into the passenger side rear glass, replacing the more traditional “shark-fin” style roof antenna. Honda says it eliminates the possibility of damage to the antenna during trail driving or when loading and unloading equipment and gear from the available cargo roof platform. Wow.

Like the front, the rear is blocky solid and bold, with tall vertical taillights, PASSPORT stamped in steel above the rear bumper, and a contrasting metallic town lower bumper. Other cool touches include hidden exhaust tips that are protected when on the trail. The finishing touch on our tester was the Sunset Orange paint that’s available only on TrailSport models – bold, eye-catching and a great way to see the contrast of all the blacked-out bits – we love it!

First in Space

Inside, the big and bold exterior design meets up with loads of room, tech and a nice blend of luxury and durability. Open the door and you’re greeted by a handsome two-tone interior with an orange brown on the lower dash, seats, door panels and center console, and it brightens up the interior and adds to the outdoor swagger.

The large exterior yields a large interior and space for 5 is expansive and comfy. New body stabilizing power front seats are supportive and have generous cushion lengths for taller drivers.

Those in back will appreciate 1.3-inches more legroom over the previous model, and the big news continues with the most cargo room in the model’s history. A new, wider cargo area can now hold full size golf bags laid sideways across the cargo floor, or a large stroller. With the rear seats folded flat, Honda says the Passport can accommodate two full size adult mountain bikes with the front wheel removed.

Back up front, you settle into the Elite’s perforated leather heated and ventilated front sets, with other goods including heated steering wheel, rear climate controls, rear door shades, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with a new larger capacity subwoofer box to help immerse you in sound.

Tech is done up in the familiar Honda way, friendly and easy to use. The configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display is handsome and on TrailSport models there are new elevation, pitch and roll off-road readouts to help you out on the trail.

Info-tainment is served up by a new 12.3-inch touchscreen (54% larger than before!), with all the goods including Google Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5G-LTE Wi-Fi compatibility. We were a little disappointed that Sirius XM is not offered on the Passport, but there are optional accessory kits that let you hook that up.

To make up for that, you enjoy the first integration of Google built-in in a Passport and with apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps and more on Google Play you’re in touch and entertained. Another sign of thoughtful design – a padded area below the info-tainment screen gives you a perfect place to rest your thumb and hand while you activate the touchscreen. A small item, but you really appreciate it!

Trail Ready Performance

More good news comes from under the hood with a new, slightly more powerful V6 producing 285 horsepower, (up 5!) and 262 lb.-ft of torque. (Same as before) Fuel efficiency comes in at 18 city and 23 highway EPA MPG, about a mile per gallon less than last year. That’s actually more impressive than it sounds, since the bigger 2026 has gained over 400 lbs.

You do feel it in the acceleration, it’s no stone, but where the previous model felt speedy, the new model is responsive and smooth, smooth, smooth, but 0-60 mph has gained a second, and comes in at just under 7 seconds.

You’ll find that refinement in a retuned 10-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters for driving fun.

The ride is notably more comfortable and smoother, thanks to a wheelbase nearly 3 inches longer and front and front and rear tracks both over an inch wider. Chassis stiffness is impressively upgraded, with a 72% increase in front lateral rigidity and a 50% increase in rear torsion rigidity. These add up to a supremely confident and carved-from-granite feel when driving around, reminding us super expensive European brands like BMW and Mercedes.  

Improvements to the steering and brakes make the Passport also feel more nimble and more powerful brakes feel strong and confident.

You also feel ready for anything with all sorts of goodness including the second generation of its i-VTM4 AWD system that can handle 40% more torque and provides 30% faster response to optimize taction. Up to 70% of engine torque can be sent to the rear axle, and up to 100% of that torque can be sent to either the left or right wheel.

You’ve also got seven standard selectable drive modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, Snow, Sand, Tow and new for 2026, Trail. that optimizes off-road capabilities. A new Tow mode enhances capability and gives the Passport a strong 5,000 lb. tow rating. Bring the toys! When you do get into the rough stuff, a new standard Hill Descent Control system increases off-road capability with more control and confidence on steep, slippery declines of up to 7+ percent allowing drivers to select speeds between 2 and 12 mph.

Ok, we need to geek out a little on the off-road stuff now.

TrailSport models run a unique suspension tuned for off-road driving, featuring exclusive spring rates and damper valve tuning, plus optimized stabilizer bars that improve articulation and off-road ride comfort. Protecting the undercarriage, you’ve got steel skid plates for the oil pan, transmission and gas tank. Fun fact – Designed in collaboration with Honda Powersports engineers, the skid plates can support the entire weight of the vehicle crashing down on a rock.

There’s also a new TrailWatch™ camera system with four exterior cameras serving up front, rear, side and 360-degree views, and when driving In Trail mode at speeds below 15 mph, the forward view camera automatically turns on.

Big Improvements, Big Price?

Here the Passport impresses again. The line up starts with the RTL at $44,950. For a spacious, comfortable and beautifully equipped large 5-passenger SUV, it’s impressive and feels like a much more expensive machine.

Our tester TrailSport Elite is near the very top of the line and starts at $52,450- for the impressive amount of added upgrades for off-road, that also makes it just bitchin’ looking, well worth the extra cost. The only option on our tester was the gorgeous Sunset Orange paint at $545. Add in $1,450 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $54,355.

We’d also shop the Toyota Land Cruiser which also has squared off looks, and a powerful 4-cylinder hybrid engine, but at $66,600 comparably equipped, it is a serious step up in price. If you’re willing to go a little smaller, we think the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is an intriguing choice, and at just over $50k, it’s a little less expensive as well.

Rugged looks, great comfort and advanced off-road capability, the all-new 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is a great, go-anywhere SUV!