The Four Passport Trim Levels: TrailSport, EX-L, Touring, and Sport Touring

Honda offers the Passport in four distinct trim levels, each adding features and capability as you move up the lineup. The base TrailSport is built for off-road driving with all-terrain tires and skid plates standard. The EX-L adds comfort features like leather seating and a power moonroof. The Touring brings luxury touches such as a premium audio system and heated front seats. The Sport Touring is the highest trim, combining all previous features with additional technology and convenience items.

All four trims share the same engine—a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower—and the same body-on-frame construction that makes the Passport capable off-road. The differences lie in interior materials, technology packages, and comfort features rather than performance or capability. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize rugged functionality, everyday comfort, or a blend of both.

Key Takeaways

  • TrailSport is the off-road focused base model with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a more utilitarian interior.
  • EX-L adds leather seats, a power moonroof, and dual-zone climate control for increased comfort.
  • Touring includes a premium 12-speaker audio system, heated front seats, and a power liftgate.
  • Sport Touring tops the lineup with adaptive dampers, a panoramic moonroof, and Honda Sensing suite as standard.
  • Engine, transmission, and four-wheel-drive system are identical across all trims.

TrailSport: The Off-Road Base Model

The TrailSport trim prioritizes outdoor capability over interior luxury. It comes standard with all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and a roof rack designed to carry gear. The interior uses cloth upholstery and a simpler dashboard layout focused on durability rather than aesthetics. You get an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but no premium audio upgrade.

TrailSport includes Honda Sensing, which is Honda's suite of driver information features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping information, and collision mitigation braking. This trim also has all-wheel drive with a locking rear differential, giving you genuine off-road traction without paying for features you won't use on pavement. If you plan to use the Passport primarily for trails and camping, TrailSport delivers the essentials without unnecessary cost.

EX-L: Adding Comfort Without Excess

The EX-L trim steps up interior comfort while keeping the Passport's rugged identity. Leather-trimmed seats replace cloth, and the cabin gains a power moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 8-inch touchscreen remains, but you now get a power liftgate and heated front seats—practical additions for cold-weather driving.

EX-L keeps the same all-terrain tires and skid plates as TrailSport, so you don't lose capability. The main trade-off is price: EX-L costs several thousand dollars more than TrailSport. This trim appeals to buyers who want to use the Passport for both weekend adventures and daily commuting, where leather seats and a moonroof make longer drives more pleasant.

Touring: The Luxury Mid-Point

Touring adds technology and audio quality that make highway miles more enjoyable. The centerpiece is a premium 12-speaker audio system that replaces the standard setup, noticeably improving sound quality for music and podcasts. You also get a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charging pad for your phone.

Touring keeps leather seats and the power moonroof from EX-L, then adds a power liftgate, heated front seats, and a rear-view camera with guidelines. The all-terrain tires and skid plates remain standard, preserving off-road capability. Touring sits in the middle of the price range and appeals to buyers who want a balanced vehicle—one that handles trails competently but spends most of its time on roads where comfort and technology matter.

Sport Touring: The Fully Equipped Top Trim

Sport Touring is the most expensive Passport trim and includes everything from lower trims plus exclusive features. It adds adaptive dampers that adjust suspension stiffness based on road conditions, improving both comfort on highways and control on rough terrain. You get a panoramic moonroof that spans more of the roof than the standard power moonroof, and a power-adjustable steering column that remembers your preferred position.

Sport Touring also includes the full Honda Sensing suite as standard equipment, whereas lower trims offer it as an option. This means adaptive cruise control, lane keeping information, traffic sign recognition, and collision mitigation braking all come included. The interior gains premium materials and more sophisticated styling compared to lower trims. If you want every available feature and don't want to check option boxes, Sport Touring delivers that in one package.

How to Compare Trim Costs and Resale Value

The price gap between TrailSport and Sport Touring is substantial—typically $8,000 to $12,000 depending on the model year and current market conditions. TrailSport is the most affordable entry point, while Sport Touring commands the highest price. EX-L and Touring fall between them, with EX-L closer to TrailSport and Touring closer to Sport Touring.

Resale value tends to favor the middle trims. EX-L and Touring hold their value well because they offer a good balance of features and price, making them attractive to used-car buyers. TrailSport appeals to a narrower audience (serious off-road enthusiasts), while Sport Touring's high price means fewer buyers can afford it used. If you plan to keep the Passport for many years, this matters less; if you trade vehicles every five to seven years, EX-L or Touring may offer better long-term value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add features from higher trims to a lower trim?

Yes. Honda offers option packages on lower trims that bundle features from higher trims. For example, you can add a premium audio system, heated seats, and a power moonroof to a TrailSport without buying the full EX-L trim. Check with your dealer about which packages are available for your preferred trim level.

Is the all-terrain tire and skid plate package available on all trims?

Yes. All four trims come standard with all-terrain tires and underbody skid plates. You don't need to buy a higher trim to get off-road capability. The differences between trims are primarily interior comfort and technology, not chassis or drivetrain features.

What's the difference between the power moonroof and panoramic moonroof?

The standard power moonroof (on EX-L and Touring) is a single panel that tilts and slides open. The panoramic moonroof (on Sport Touring) spans a larger area of the roof and typically has two sections. The panoramic version lets in more light and air but costs more and slightly reduces headroom.

Do all trims have all-wheel drive?

Yes. All four Passport trims come standard with all-wheel drive and a locking rear differential. There is no front-wheel-drive option. This means every Passport, regardless of trim, has the same core off-road capability.

Which trim is best for towing?

All Passport trims have the same towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Trim level does not affect towing ability. Choose based on the interior features and technology you want, not towing performance.