2026 Honda Passport: What Buyers Need to Know

The Honda Passport has carved out a specific niche in the midsize SUV market — sitting between the smaller CR-V and the three-row Pilot, offering genuine off-road capability alongside everyday practicality. The 2026 model year continues that positioning, but there are meaningful details worth understanding before you start comparing trim levels or negotiating a price.

What Is the 2026 Honda Passport?

The Honda Passport is a two-row, five-passenger midsize SUV built on Honda's current platform shared with the Pilot. It returned from a brief hiatus in 2019 and has been updated progressively since. The 2026 Passport carries forward the third-generation redesign that debuted for 2023, which brought a more rugged exterior, updated interior technology, and revised powertrain and suspension tuning.

For 2026, Honda has not announced a full redesign — this is a carry-over model year with potential trim-level or feature refinements. Specific confirmed specs for the 2026 model year were not yet fully detailed at time of writing, so always verify current build sheets with a Honda dealer or Honda's official site.

Engine and Powertrain

The Passport uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing approximately 285 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup is shared with the Pilot and has a well-documented service history across Honda's lineup.

Powertrain options by drivetrain configuration:

The AWD system on higher trims includes Honda's i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system, which actively distributes torque between the rear wheels for improved cornering and off-road traction. This is a more sophisticated setup than passive AWD found in many crossovers and is one of the Passport's key differentiators.

Trim Levels and What Changes Between Them

Honda typically structures the Passport across several trims. The general progression for recent model years has followed:

• Sport — entry-level, well-equipped base
• EX-L — leather interior, additional comfort features
• TrailSport — off-road-oriented: all-terrain tires, additional underbody protection, TrailWatch camera system
• Elite — top-tier, technology and luxury features

The TrailSport trim is particularly notable because it's engineered differently from other trims — higher ground clearance, specific suspension tuning, and off-road driving modes. If light off-road use or unpaved roads are part of your actual driving life, the differences between TrailSport and Elite aren't cosmetic — they're functional.

Higher trims typically add features like a hands-free power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium audio system, and expanded Honda Sensing suite features. Confirm which features are standard versus optional on the 2026 trim you're considering, as Honda sometimes shuffles content between model years.

Fuel Economy

The Passport's V6 returns EPA-estimated figures in the range of 20 MPG city / 25 MPG highway for FWD configurations, with AWD variants slightly lower. Actual fuel economy varies by driving conditions, trim, load, and individual driving habits. The Passport does not offer a hybrid powertrain — if fuel efficiency is a top priority, that's a relevant gap compared to some competitors.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features 🛡️

Honda Sensing is standard across all Passport trims. This suite includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Road Departure Mitigation
• Traffic Sign Recognition

The 2023 redesign updated Honda Sensing to a wider-angle camera system, improving performance in a broader range of conditions. NHTSA and IIHS ratings for the current-generation Passport have been strong, but always check the ratings specific to the model year you're considering — safety ratings can change when body structures or equipment are updated.

Reliability and Ownership Considerations

The 3.5L V6 used in the Passport has a long production history and is generally regarded as a durable, low-complication engine. The 10-speed automatic transmission is newer in Honda's lineup and has a shorter long-term track record. Owner feedback on the current-generation Passport has been broadly positive, but reliability data for 2026 specifically won't be meaningful until the vehicle has been in the fleet for a year or more.

Common ownership considerations for any Passport:

• Timing belt or chain service intervals (this engine uses a timing belt — an important scheduled maintenance item)
• Transmission fluid change intervals under severe driving conditions
• AWD system fluid if equipped
• Tire wear patterns, particularly on TrailSport with all-terrain tires

Maintenance costs vary by region, dealer versus independent shop, and how closely service intervals are followed.

Buying a 2026 Passport: What Shapes the Price

MSRP for the 2026 Passport hasn't been fully locked in for all trims at time of writing. The 2025 model ranged from the low-to-mid $40,000s to the upper $40,000s depending on trim and options. Several factors will affect what you actually pay:

• Regional market demand and dealer inventory levels
• Trade-in value of your current vehicle (varies significantly by market)
• Financing rates, which shift with broader interest rate conditions
• State sales tax and registration fees, which vary by state and sometimes by county

The Variables That Shape Your Decision 🔍

Whether the 2026 Passport fits your situation depends on factors that no spec sheet can resolve: how much you actually need off-road capability versus a conventional crossover, whether the lack of a third row or a hybrid option matters for your use case, how your local market is pricing inventory, and what your state's registration and tax structure looks like on a vehicle in this price range.

The Passport is a specific product with a specific set of tradeoffs — understanding those tradeoffs clearly is the starting point. How they land for a given buyer depends entirely on what that buyer is coming from, what they're prioritizing, and where they're shopping.