2026 Honda Passport EX-L: What to Know About This Trim and How to Maintain It

The 2026 Honda Passport EX-L sits in the middle of the Passport's trim lineup, and for many buyers it represents the point where the SUV starts to feel genuinely well-equipped without crossing into the top-tier pricing of the TrailSport or Elite. If you're researching what makes the EX-L distinct, what its systems look like under the hood, and what ongoing maintenance typically involves, here's a straightforward breakdown.

What the EX-L Trim Typically Includes

Honda uses the EX-L designation across several of its models — Accord, CR-V, Pilot — to signal a step up from base and mid-level trims, generally adding leather-trimmed seating, a more robust infotainment setup, and additional driver-assist features. On the Passport specifically, the EX-L has historically occupied the second trim slot, sitting above the Sport and below the TrailSport and Elite.

For the 2026 model year, Honda has not formally released complete build sheets or confirmed pricing at the time of writing. What's known from the refreshed 2026 Passport direction is that Honda is continuing with its revised platform introduced in the 2024 redesign. Treat any specific feature list you find for the 2026 EX-L as preliminary until Honda publishes official trim configurations.

What the EX-L has consistently offered in recent Passport generations:

Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Honda Sensing suite — which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning
A larger touchscreen infotainment display compared to lower trims
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless on recent models)
AWD availability — the Passport has offered AWD as either standard or optional depending on trim

These features matter for maintenance because more technology means more systems that can require service. Cameras, radar sensors, and electronic seat motors all have their own service considerations.

Powertrain and What It Means for Upkeep 🔧

The 2024–2025 Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing around 285 horsepower. Honda has not publicly confirmed powertrain changes for the 2026 model year, so assume similar until official specs are published.

Here's what that V6 powertrain means practically for maintenance:

Service Item	Typical Interval (V6 Passport)
Engine oil change	Every 5,000–7,500 miles (or per Maintenance Minder)
Transmission fluid	Every 30,000–60,000 miles depending on driving conditions
Spark plugs (iridium)	Around 100,000 miles
Cabin air filter	Every 15,000–25,000 miles
Engine air filter	Every 15,000–30,000 miles
Brake fluid flush	Every 3 years or per inspection
Coolant flush	Around 60,000 miles / 5 years

Honda's Maintenance Minder system — present on all recent Passports — uses real driving data to calculate when service is actually needed rather than setting fixed intervals. The system displays a percentage and sub-codes to tell you which service is due. Understanding this system is particularly relevant for EX-L owners because the feature is easy to miss if you're used to sticker-based oil change reminders.

AWD System Considerations

The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system (on AWD-equipped trims) is an intelligent torque-vectoring all-wheel drive setup. It's not a traditional mechanical 4WD system with a low range — it's electronically managed and designed primarily for on-road stability and light off-road capability.

Maintenance considerations specific to AWD:

Rear differential fluid should be inspected and replaced per Honda's service schedule — often every 30,000 miles in severe conditions
Using the wrong fluid type can cause shudder or premature wear in the rear differential
The AWD system includes sensors and electronic controllers that could trigger warning lights if wheel speed data is inconsistent — tire size uniformity matters here

Running mismatched tires on an AWD vehicle — even slightly worn ones on just one axle — can create issues in electronically managed AWD systems. This is especially important during tire rotations and replacements.

Honda Sensing and ADAS Maintenance

The EX-L's Honda Sensing cameras and radar sensors are mounted at specific points on the vehicle. When any of the following happen, recalibration of the ADAS system is often required:

Windshield replacement (the forward-facing camera is often mounted to the glass)
Front bumper repairs
Wheel alignment service
Certain suspension repairs

ADAS recalibration is a separate labor item that not all shops are equipped to perform. It requires either a static calibration process (using targets in a controlled space) or a dynamic calibration (a road drive with scan tool active). Costs vary widely by region and shop.

What Varies by State and Owner 🗺️

Even with a well-defined trim like the EX-L, ownership costs diverge quickly based on:

State registration fees — annual fees for a mid-size SUV range significantly by state, from under $100 to several hundred dollars
State inspection requirements — some states require annual safety inspections, others emissions testing, some both, some neither
Insurance premiums — the EX-L's leather, tech features, and AWD system all affect replacement cost, which factors into comprehensive coverage pricing
Labor rates — dealer service versus independent shop versus DIY produces very different out-of-pocket costs for identical services
Local fuel prices — the V6's real-world fuel economy (typically in the mid-to-upper 20s MPG on highway) translates to different annual fuel costs depending entirely on where you live and how you drive