The 2026 Passport interior gets a larger touchscreen, redesigned steering wheel, and updated materials across the cabin

Honda made meaningful changes to the Passport's interior for 2026, moving away from the previous generation's more utilitarian feel. The most visible upgrade is the new 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, up from the 8-inch display in earlier model years. The steering wheel has been redesigned with a flatter bottom and repositioned controls, and the dashboard layout now features softer-touch materials on the upper surfaces instead of hard plastic.

The center console has been reorganized to include wireless phone charging as standard on most trims, and the climate control interface moved from physical buttons to touch-sensitive controls integrated into the main screen. Seat materials vary by trim level—base models use cloth, while higher trims offer leather or a leather-trimmed combination. The overall color palette shifted toward warmer tones, with new upholstery options in Ebony, Tan, and a new Caramel Brown.

Key Takeaways

  • The infotainment screen grew from 8 inches to 11.6 inches, and now includes wireless charging as standard on most trims.
  • The steering wheel was redesigned with a flatter bottom and repositioned controls for easier reach to audio and phone functions.
  • Dashboard materials shifted from hard plastic to soft-touch surfaces on the upper dash and door panels.
  • Climate controls moved from physical buttons to a touch interface on the main screen, reducing physical clutter.
  • New upholstery colors include Caramel Brown alongside the existing Ebony and Tan options.

Infotainment and Technology Layout

The 11.6-inch touchscreen sits higher and more forward on the dashboard than before, reducing the angle you have to look down while driving. It runs Honda's latest operating system with faster response times and improved graphics. The screen supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and both connections now work wirelessly on all 2026 models—previous years required a wired connection on some trims.

Below the main screen, Honda removed most of the physical climate control buttons and replaced them with touch-sensitive controls. This freed up space in the center stack and created a cleaner visual appearance, though some drivers prefer the tactile feedback of traditional buttons. The volume knob remains physical and is positioned to the left of the screen for quick adjustment without looking.

Seating, Materials, and Color Options

Seat construction changed across all trims. The base Sport trim uses a woven cloth that Honda says is more durable and stain-resistant than previous cloth. The EX and Touring trims offer leather-trimmed seats with perforated inserts for better ventilation in warm climates. The new Caramel Brown leather option is exclusive to the 2026 model year and pairs with a matching brown dashboard trim.

The door panels now feature soft-touch material on the upper portion, with a textured plastic lower section that resists scuffs. Armrests are padded on all trims, and the center console lid is now wrapped in the same soft material as the dashboard. Headliner color remains black across all trims, but the sun visors now have a matching soft-touch backing instead of the previous hard plastic.

Storage and Convenience Features

The center console was redesigned to accommodate the wireless charging pad while maintaining the same overall footprint. The charging area is recessed slightly to prevent phones from sliding during hard cornering. Beneath the charging pad, the storage compartment is slightly shallower than before but now includes a removable divider for organizing smaller items.

Door pockets are slightly larger and now feature a rubberized lining to prevent items from shifting. The rear seat area gained a new center armrest with two cup holders, replacing the previous single-cup-holder design. Under-seat storage in the second row remains the same size as the previous generation.

Steering Wheel and Control Positioning

The new steering wheel has a flatter bottom section, which Honda says improves legroom for taller drivers and makes it easier to exit the vehicle. The audio controls moved from the left spoke to the right spoke, and the phone controls moved to the left. This reversal from the previous layout takes some adjustment for owners upgrading from older Passports, but Honda's reasoning is that phone functions are used less frequently during active driving.

The steering wheel itself is wrapped in a perforated leather on all trims except the base Sport, which uses a leather-like synthetic material. The wheel diameter remains 3.8 inches, the same as before, so it fits existing aftermarket covers if you want to replace it.

Dashboard and Visibility Improvements

The dashboard top surface is now padded with soft-touch material that extends from the steering column to the passenger side, creating a more cohesive look. The instrument cluster remains a 7-inch digital display, but the graphics were updated to match the new interior design language. Visibility from the driver's seat improved slightly because the new dashboard design is set back about half an inch further than the previous version.

The windshield header and sun visors remain the same color and material as before. Ambient lighting is now standard on EX and Touring trims, with the option to choose from six different color schemes through the infotainment system. Base Sport models do not include ambient lighting.

Rear Passenger Space and Comfort

The rear seat cushion is slightly firmer than the 2025 model, which Honda says improves support on longer drives. Legroom remains unchanged at 38.1 inches, and headroom stays at 39.3 inches. The rear seats still fold in a 60/40 split, and the new center armrest includes cup holders that can accommodate bottles up to 3 inches in diameter.

Rear passengers now get USB-C charging ports as standard on all trims—previous models only included them on Touring trim. The rear climate vents remain in the same position but now have a touch-sensitive control on the rear of the center console instead of a physical dial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2026 Passport have a panoramic sunroof?

No. Honda does not offer a sunroof on any 2026 Passport trim level. The roof is fixed across all models. If a panoramic roof is important to you, you may want to compare the Passport to competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner, which offer sunroof options.

Can you still use a phone mount on the new dashboard?

Yes. The new dashboard design does not include a built-in phone mount, but the flat upper surface and the area to the left of the steering wheel are suitable for aftermarket vent mounts, dashboard mounts, or windshield suction-cup holders. The wireless charging pad in the center console is designed for phones that support Qi charging, so you may not need a visible mount if your phone charges wirelessly.

Is the new touchscreen climate control harder to use while driving?

It depends on your preference. Touch controls require you to look at the screen to adjust temperature or fan speed, whereas physical buttons allow adjustment by feel alone. Honda kept the volume knob physical for this reason. If you frequently adjust climate settings while driving, you may find the touch interface less convenient than the previous button layout.

What upholstery colors are available on the base Sport trim?

The base Sport trim comes in Ebony cloth only. The Tan and Caramel Brown options are available on EX and Touring trims with leather or leather-trimmed seating. If you want a lighter interior color, you would need to step up to at least the EX trim level.

Does the wireless charging work with all phones?

Wireless charging works with any phone that supports the Qi standard, which includes most recent iPhones and Android phones. Older phones or phones without Qi capability will not charge wirelessly, though you can still use a wired USB-C connection through the center console USB ports. Check your phone's specifications to confirm Qi support before purchasing.