2026 Honda Passport Trailsport review: Rough in the wrong ways

Mitchell Weitzman
Oct 7
5 min read

Updated: Oct 13

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport review | The Road Beat

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

I’d been eagerly awaiting a revamped Honda Passport, and when it comes to visuals, this new edition dressed in Trailsport guise nails the mission brief. Purposeful yet not outlandish, this wannabe off-roader channels a bit of Defender-lite flair and finally gives the formerly incognito Passport some well-deserved presence. Unfortunately, despite its rugged makeover, the latest Passport undermines itself with gruff characteristics that do without charm.

Picks

The main selling point of the Passport Trailsport is undoubtedly its newly discovered good looks, earning compliments from several friends. Backing up its off-road aesthetic are real, functional knobby tires that genuinely can help grip the soil beneath when venturing to Tahoe or in the modest dirt and gravel parking lot (what most G-Wagons ever see). Inside, electronic aids assist in mildly challenging conditions, while the suspension has been retuned for a small increase in ground clearance and longer shock travel, allowing better articulation over uneven terrain. With its smartly designed front fascia and undertray, a 23-degree approach angle actually outperforms some trims of the new 4Runner (which has a highly compromising air dam).

Passport was long overdue for the same obligatory interior refresh now standard in other Hondas, and the update is a welcome one. Materials show a noticeable improvement in quality, and the layout looks and feels far more modern than last year’s model. I especially appreciate the physical knobs and buttons—infinitely more intuitive than the digital controls plaguing so many new cars. The center touchscreen has grown to over 12 inches, finally looking proportionate to the dash and expansive cabin.

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport exterior rear three quarter during golden hour

Space remains a key strength for travels or trips to Costco. Despite seating only five and lacking a third-row option, there’s ample room for five adults with generous comfort, and the 44-cubic-foot cargo bay remains entirely unobstructed. The load floor in the cargo bay is a touch higher than expected, but overall usability is excellent. A hidden third row, though, would not go amiss for the occasional rare or emergency use case.

Core areas that needed improvement have indeed advanced, particularly interior quality, which now competes directly with the latest 4Runner. Ride comfort is better, too, and the back seat offers real long-haul comfort when compared to the Toyota which suffers in both key objectives.

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite interior

Next to no compromises exist in the handling department, either, as the typical Honda traits of weighted, confident steering are gratefully left intact. Push the pace and the Passport stays composed, avoiding the greasy-weasel antics that plague some rival SUVs at anything above a trot. Remarkably, despite its nearly 80-inch width, this SUV rarely feels large in motion; It’s easy to place on the road, allowing me to clip apexes neatly on backroads. Short of Mazda, Honda still leads in chassis finesse, and even with its Trailsport-specific tires and suspension, this remains a solid, enjoyable SUV to drive (as far as mainstream SUVs go, that is).

Nicks

Despite its best intentions and strong looks, this Passport Trailsport is largely undone by a lethargic engine and transmission. I enjoy naturally aspirated six-cylinders, and Honda is famous for its VTEC magic, but this V6 feels sadly anemic at low speeds. With just 262 lb-ft arriving at a lofty 5,000 RPM, you have to bury your right foot to extract any kind meaningful acceleration. On the hilly highway, it often needs multiple downshifts just to maintain speed on mild inclines. Naturally-aspirated V6 engines are not to be dismissed, but this old school unit is tuned for the upper end to perform and does not suit a big Honda SUV built for the street.

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite Platinum White

Gear changes go unredeemed, too, with shifts that are slow both up and down. Further, there's a complete lack of engine braking on descents—something you’d want when towing, especially given its credible 5,000-pound tow rating. Worse, it can clunk its way through the gears in normal acceleration, an unforgivable trait in a modern automatic. As a ten-speed unit, it should be seamless and transparent, but instead produces audible thuds during gentle shifts at normal speeds. Slow upshifts and torrid downshifts make this one of the worst transmissions I've recently tried full stop.

This points to the latest Passport suffering from hardware that simply doesn’t work harmoniously. Even though the V6 can sound good when revved out, its pairing with this transmission feels clumsy in everyday use. It’s hard to believe no engineer or executive flagged the awful throttle delay or the jerky transitions, like when slowing for a red traffic light that suddenly turns green before you completely stop.

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport Elite interior front leather seats

Fuel economy proved another disappointment—an alarming 18 MPG overall during a week of mixed driving. The infotainment system also refused to remember my phone, forcing a full Bluetooth deletion and connection every single drive. Perhaps that’s due to a “guest profile” setting of this test loaner, but no other test cars have done that before.

And when venturing off-road, ground clearance measures just 8.3 inches—somehow less than even a base Toyota RAV4. So, while the approach angle is commendable, clearance limits absolute capability and might give a false sense of off-road confidence. Be sure to also not ignore the fact that if you do take a Passport Trailsport on some namesake-level trails or through mud, the lack of low-end power and crap throttle response and lag will make doing so all the more challenging.

Almost forgot: those cool hood vents? Completely fake and sealed off.

A passport missing stamps

I’m genuinely frustrated by this outcome because I wanted to like the Passport Trailsport. I’m usually a big fan of new Hondas, but this level of throttle lag and drivability issues are inexcusable; It shouldn't be this difficult to drive a new car smoothly. What's more sad is that I don’t recall previous Passports behaving like this, marking a regression in combustion engine technology. Honda, you can do better. I know you can, and you should.

2026 Honda Passport Trailsport specifications

Price as-tested: $54,355 (Trailsport Elite)

Powertrain & Performance

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, DOHC, 24-valve, direct injection
Horsepower: 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm
Torque: 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: i-VTM4 all-wheel drive with selectable drive modes (Trail, Sand, Snow, Tow, etc.)
Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Fuel Economy (EPA): 18 mpg city / 23 mpg highway / 20 mpg combined
Real world MPG: 18 :(

Chassis & Suspension

Suspension: TrailSport-specific tuning with increased ground clearance and longer travel
Ground Clearance: 8.3 in
Approach / Departure Angles: 23° / 23°
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Exterior Dimensions