If you're in the market for a rugged, versatile vehicle that caters to your active lifestyle, Honda's refreshed midsize SUV might just be your passport to the world of off-road adventure. The Honda Passport is all-new for 2026, and the fourth-generation model has some major surprises in store. Honda has given the crossover a full overhaul, including a new platform that ups the Passport's stability, cargo and passenger space.
The off-road TrailSport trim returns for the new model year and is joined by a new, range-topping TrailSport Elite option that combines the TrailSport's muscular design with a host of premium features ranging from leather upholstery and ventilated front seats to noise-reducing side windows and more. So, just how off-road-capable is the new 2026 Passport? Let's track the history of Honda's trail-ready Passport and rank a few of the SUV's most alluring off-road features. Whether you're a beginner just getting into the world of off-roading, an experienced driver who knows their way around the backcountry, or a seasoned expert who expects a little more from their SUV, it's time to consider a Honda Passport for sale.
A Legacy of Off-Road Performance
The Passport occupies a unique place in Honda's history. The brand's first SUV actually emerged out of a partnership with fellow Japanese automaker Isuzu, which lent Honda its midsize Rodeo in exchange for a rebadged version of the Honda Odyssey minivan. The collaboration saw the original Passport hit the market in 1993 and allowed Honda to capitalize on the booming SUV market without the delays that come with building an entirely new model from scratch. The Passport quickly became a favorite among drivers, who praised the SUV's utility, performance, and durability.
Off-road ability has also been part of the Passport's DNA since its earliest days. The SUV's robust body-on-frame design allowed the Passport to boldly go where few Hondas had ventured before, but it was the shift-on-the-fly 4WD system that really marked the model's most impressive off-road feature. Instead of coming to a full stop to activate four-wheel drive, the shift-on-the-fly system allowed drivers to switch between the RWD and 4WD without any delay. The feature significantly ups the Passport's practicality and convenience on off-road terrain, and after you throw in a max towing capacity of 4,500 lbs and dedicated driving modes designed to improve acceleration and traction, it's easy to see why the original Passport captured so much attention in the burgeoning off-road market.
By the early 2000s, Honda decided to bring its SUV operations in-house, and the Passport was soon replaced by the compact CR-V and midsize Pilot. The Passport reemerged in 2019 as Honda looked to expand its slate of crossover options, but the new, fourth-generation model really ups the ante from an off-road perspective. The 2026 model sees the return of the Passport's TrailSport trim, an off-road-ready version of the SUV that packs a full slate of all-terrain goodies. Originally debuting on the 2021 Passport, The TrailSport trim cuts an imposing figure thanks to a new "Born Wild" design concept emphasizing durability, bold styling, and off-road ability. The TrailSport trim has since been expanded to Honda's Pilot and Ridgeline SUVs, but the package is particularly well-suited to the midsize Passport. That said, the TrailSport and new TrailSport Elite aren't the only Passport trims that can hold their own in challenging off-road scenarios. Every 2026 Passport has also been treated to a new platform that has a noticeable effect on the SUV's stance, ground clearance, and handling.
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All-New Construction
While sophisticated 4WD systems, upgraded suspension components, and advanced 360-degree camera systems all play an important role, building a better off-road SUV starts with the platform itself. The 2026 Passport has been treated to an entirely new light truck platform that has a significant impact in terms of off-road ability. Honda has stretched the Passport's wheelbase by 2.75 inches and widened the track by up to 1.5 inches to improve the crossover's stability and handling, and the results speak for themselves, with the SUV offering an exceedingly stable platform that grips the road with ease.
The Passport also boasts a more rigid frame and improved ground clearance when compared to the 2025 model at 8.3 inches, but it's the model's new-and-improved approach angle that will probably have the biggest impact on its off-road ability. When approaching a steep incline, your run-of-the-mill SUV is prone to seeing the front bumper make contact with the road. By upping the Passport's approach angle by two degrees, Honda has reduced the chances of this sort of annoying—and expensive—bumper-to-road contact and has even pulled off a similar trick on the back end. The Passport's tailpipes have been repositioned to up the SUV's departure angle, allowing drivers to boldly blaze a new trail without worrying about incurring any long-term damage.
Off-Road Gear
Packing the right tools for the job can make all the difference on your next off-the-grid adventure. The 2026 Passport TrailSport embraces this ethos with a generous suite of off-road equipment, starting with a set of steel skid plates designed to protect the transmission, exhaust, engine, and other vital underbody components. The off-road trim also features four recovery points, including two bright orange hooks on the front bumper that give the TrailSport an unmistakably rugged profile.
Flared fenders, a front aluminum scuff plate, rock sliders, and amber daytime running lights complete the look while simultaneously upping the TrailSport's utility while every trim is treated to a new hood scoop and grille. Finally, there's the TrailSport's 31-inch off-road tires. You wouldn't set off on a backcountry hike wearing the wrong footwear, and the Passport is no different. The General Grabber all-terrain tires are designed to chew through loose mud and rock, sand, snow, and whatever other terrain the trail might have in store while still remaining quiet and efficient during on-road use.
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TrailWatch Camera
Visibility is key when you're venturing down the road less traveled. Whether you're trying to follow an overgrown trail or avoid obstacles that could result in an unforeseen pit stop, a driver's vision is their first line of defense when it comes to off-roading. Honda has clearly kept this fact in mind when designing the Passport TrailSport, which comes equipped with an innovative camera system dubbed TrailWatch. Four different cameras combine to give drivers a 360-degree view of their surroundings, which will come in clutch when trying to gauge road conditions or avoid fallen logs and rocks.
A unique bird's-eye-view POV is perfect for making that tricky trailer hitch connection while new tire path and vehicle body guidelines keep you centered on the trail no matter how rough the road might get. The TrailWatch system can be customized to automatically activate whenever the Passport is operating at less than 12 mph, allowing drivers to leverage the impressive new hands-free technology whenever they hit a tough, technical stretch of the trail. Between the TrailWatch camera system and the SUV's ability to provide real-time data on the SUV's current pitch, roll, and elevation, the TrailSport should instill even the newest off-road drivers with a sense of confidence.
i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive is a must-have for any off-road model, and the 2026 Passport doesn't disappoint with Honda's advanced Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system included as a standard feature on every trim. The AWD system might just be one of the Passport's most alluring features, giving drivers the sort of control that they'll need to take on a wide range of off-road conditions. A pair of electro-hydraulically actuated clutch packs can be used to engage each of the rear wheels separately, giving the Passport the ability to dole out torque where it's needed most.
The i-VTM4 is especially adept at quickly responding to wet, slippery roads, but it's also useful in dry conditions, directing power to the outside rear wheel to up the SUV's stability and control through the corners. i-VTM4 has been around since 2015, but the new, second-generation version marks a notable improvement over its predecessors with an overhauled rear drive unit that's 30% faster while providing 40% more torque capacity.
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Off-Road-Tuned Suspension
If you're setting out to build a competitive off-road vehicle, the suspension can never be treated as an afterthought. The Passport TrailSport features an enhanced suspension that's optimized for off-road use with all-new springs and dampers that'll help to ensure a comfortable ride no matter where the trail might take you. Stiffer springs up the SUV's stability, allowing drivers to maintain control when the road starts to get a little rough. Honda has also outfitted the TrailSport with revised shock absorbers that go a long way toward damping the bumps and dips inherent to the off-road experience.
In addition to improving overall stability and control, the springs and dampers also have a noticeable impact on driver comfort. The TrailSport doubles down on this comfort-based approach with a set of Body Stabilizing Seats that are designed to provide even more support and cushioning. If you want to spend a long day exploring your local off-road trails but aren't looking forward to being jostled around the cabin, the Passport's TrailSport trim has you covered.
Trail Mode
Sometimes, off-road equipment takes the form of heavy-duty all-terrain tires, a heavy-duty suspension, or a bumper-mounted winch. Other times, it takes the form of a few thousand lines of computer code. Like many of today's cars, trucks, and SUVs, the 2026 Passport is equipped with a number of selectable drive modes that allow the SUV to seamlessly transition between different driving duties. Unlike many vehicles, the Passport comes standard with dedicated Trail and Sand modes that take much of the guesswork out of the off-road experience.
New for 2026, Trail Mode leverages the Passport's Trail Torque Logic system to monitor each wheel's traction in real-time. If it detects any slippage, the system kicks into action, sending up to 70 percent of the torque to the squeaky wheel in an effort to improve traction. This allows the Trailsport to simulate the effect of a locking differential without the cost and weight associated with the extra hardware and sets the Passport apart in a market where the "off-road" tag doesn't always denote true off-road ability. In addition to Trail Mode, drivers will also be able to access a custom Sand Mode, as well as settings like Econ, Sport, Snow, and Tow modes.
Stamp Your Passport at Middletown Honda
With improved off-road ability, all-new construction, and a host of clever features, the fourth-generation Honda Passport is quickly setting a new bar in the crossover segment. While the i-VTM4 AWD, TrailWatch camera system, off-road-tuned suspension, and new platform might garner all the headlines, they're not the only features that make the Passport worthy of a closer look. The SUV's new platform also brings some real advantages in terms of passenger room and storage capacity, with the 2026 model boasting an extra 5.8 cu.ft. of storage.
A new rear liftgate improves access to the trunk, creating a wider opening that's ideal for loading up whatever gear you might need for your next outdoor excursion. A built-in waterproof storage bin can accommodate a muddy pair of hiking boots or a soggy wetsuit, while a hidden storage compartment under the rear cargo area provides a great place to stow off-road recovery equipment like tow straps, compact shovels, and road flares. There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to crafting the perfect off-road vehicle, but the new Honda Passport comes pretty close with a well-rounded package of hardy gear, features, and tech that few midsize crossovers can match.