The 2026 Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV built on a truck frame, designed for both highway driving and off-road terrain

The 2026 Passport sits between Honda's smaller CR-V and its full-size Pilot. It shares its platform with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, which means it has a body-on-frame construction rather than the car-based design of most SUVs. This gives it genuine ground clearance and approach angles suited to unpaved roads, while keeping the interior space and comfort features you'd expect from a modern Honda.

Honda positions the Passport as a vehicle for people who want SUV practicality without committing to a full-size truck. It's narrower than the Pilot, easier to park than a truck bed, and carries five passengers instead of eight. The trade-off is less cargo space than either of those vehicles when all seats are in use.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 Passport uses a truck frame and body-on-frame construction, giving it better ground clearance and approach angles than car-based SUVs.
  • It seats five passengers and comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims.
  • Trim levels range from base Sport through EX, EX-L, and Trailsport, each adding comfort features, technology, and off-road capability.
  • The Trailsport trim includes all-terrain tires, skid plates, and all-wheel drive as standard, designed specifically for unpaved driving.
  • Pricing and exact feature availability may vary by region and dealer; checking Honda's official site or contacting a dealer gives you current details for your area.

Engine, transmission, and fuel economy

The 2026 Passport uses a single engine choice: a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine is the same one found in the Ridgeline and Pilot, so parts and service are straightforward at any Honda dealer.

Fuel economy depends on whether you choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive models typically achieve better highway mileage than all-wheel drive versions, though the exact figures vary based on driving conditions and habits. All-wheel drive adds weight and drivetrain friction, which reduces efficiency but improves traction in snow, mud, and loose gravel.

The Passport uses regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), not premium fuel. The fuel tank holds 19.5 gallons, which gives you a range of roughly 400 to 450 miles per tank depending on your driving mix and which drivetrain you own.

Trim levels and what each one includes

Honda offers four trim levels for the 2026 Passport: Sport, EX, EX-L, and Trailsport. Each step up adds features, and the Trailsport is a distinct variant aimed at off-road driving.

The Sport trim is the base model and comes with front-wheel drive standard. It includes the V6 engine, 9-speed transmission, a 5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a backup camera, and Honda Sensing (a suite of driver-information features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping information).

The EX trim adds all-wheel drive as an option, an 8-inch touchscreen, a power liftgate, heated front seats, and a power driver's seat. The EX-L includes leather upholstery, a sunroof, a 12-speaker audio system, and a power passenger seat.

The Trailsport is built for off-road use and comes with all-wheel drive standard, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, a locking rear differential, and an all-terrain driving mode. It also includes unique exterior styling, a roof rack, and all the comfort features of the EX-L. This trim costs more than the others but is the only one designed specifically for unpaved roads.

All-wheel drive, ground clearance, and off-road capability

All-wheel drive is standard on the Trailsport and optional on the EX and EX-L. The Sport trim comes with front-wheel drive only. All-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels when needed, improving traction in snow, rain, and loose surfaces. It does not lock the front and rear axles together the way a truck's transfer case does, so the Passport is better suited to light off-road use than serious rock crawling.

Ground clearance is 8.6 inches on all trims, which is higher than most car-based SUVs but lower than full-size trucks. Approach angle (the steepness a vehicle can climb without scraping the front bumper) is 27.8 degrees on the Trailsport with all-terrain tires, and slightly less on other trims. Departure angle (the steepness it can descend) is 26.1 degrees on the Trailsport.

The Trailsport's all-terrain tires grip better on gravel, dirt, and rocks than the highway tires on other trims. The locking rear differential, available only on Trailsport, locks both rear wheels together so they spin at the same speed, which helps when one wheel loses traction. An all-terrain driving mode adjusts throttle response and traction control for unpaved surfaces.

Interior space and cargo capacity

The Passport seats five people across two rows. The front seats are individual buckets, and the rear is a bench that fits three. Rear legroom is adequate for adults on short trips but tighter than the Pilot if you regularly carry full-size passengers in back.

Cargo space behind the rear seats is 39.3 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded flat, that expands to 76.5 cubic feet. For comparison, the CR-V offers 39.3 cubic feet behind its rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded, so the Passport and CR-V are nearly identical in this regard. The Pilot, with three rows, offers less cargo space with all seats in use but more total volume when you fold everything down.

The Passport includes a roof rack as standard on Trailsport and optional on other trims, letting you carry gear on top. The interior has multiple storage cubbies, cup holders, and a center console with a sliding armrest.

Technology, safety features, and driver information

All 2026 Passport trims come with Honda Sensing, which includes adaptive cruise control (maintains a set distance from the car ahead), lane-keeping information (gently steers you back if you drift), collision mitigation braking (applies brakes if a crash is imminent), and road departure mitigation (alerts you if you're drifting off the road). These features are standard, not optional.

The base Sport has a 5-inch touchscreen, while EX and higher trims get an 8-inch screen. Both support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, letting you mirror your phone for navigation, music, and messaging. Wireless CarPlay is available on higher trims. A backup camera is standard on all trims; a 360-degree camera system is optional on EX-L and Trailsport.

The EX-L and Trailsport add a 12-speaker audio system and a power moonroof. Heated front seats are standard on EX and above. Ventilated front seats are available on EX-L and Trailsport. A wireless charging pad for your phone is optional on higher trims.

Pricing and where to find current information

The 2026 Passport's starting price varies by trim and region. Base Sport models start lower than EX models, which cost less than EX-L, which costs less than Trailsport. All-wheel drive adds a cost on trims where it's optional. Destination charges, taxes, and dealer markups vary by location.

For current pricing in your area, visit Honda's official website and use their build-and-price tool, or contact a local Honda dealer directly. Dealer inventory, available colors, and current incentives change frequently, so calling ahead or checking their website gives you the most accurate picture of what's in stock and what it costs.

If you're comparing the Passport to other vehicles, consider test-driving it alongside the CR-V (smaller, more fuel-efficient, car-based), the Pilot (larger, three rows, more cargo space), and mid-size trucks like the Honda Ridgeline (which shares the Passport's frame but offers a truck bed instead of an enclosed cargo area).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the 2026 Passport tow a trailer?

Yes. The Passport can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Check with a Honda dealer about which trim levels include towing capability and what hitch and wiring harness you'll need. Towing capacity depends on whether you have front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

What's the difference between the Passport and the Ridgeline?

Both use the same truck frame and V6 engine. The Ridgeline is a pickup truck with an open bed, while the Passport is an enclosed SUV with five seats. The Ridgeline offers more cargo flexibility and towing capacity; the Passport offers more passenger comfort and easier parking.

Does the Passport come with all-wheel drive standard?

All-wheel drive is standard only on the Trailsport trim. On Sport, EX, and EX-L, it's optional. The Sport trim comes with front-wheel drive only and cannot be upgraded to all-wheel drive.

How does the Trailsport differ from other trims?

The Trailsport includes all-wheel drive standard, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, a locking rear differential, and an all-terrain driving mode. It also has unique exterior styling and a roof rack. These features make it the only trim designed for regular off-road use.

Is the Passport a good choice if I mostly drive on highways?

Yes. The Passport drives like a regular SUV on pavement, with smooth steering and comfortable seats. Its truck frame makes it slightly less fuel-efficient than car-based SUVs like the CR-V, but it offers more ground clearance and a more commanding driving position. If you never venture onto unpaved roads, a CR-V or Pilot may be more practical.