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2026 Honda Ridgeline ReviewHonda Reveals the All-New 2026 Passport
After 22 years, the Honda Passport is returning to a terrain-ready SUV. We take a look at what Honda has in store for the fully redesigned 2026 Passport.
The New Passport is Heading Back to the Trail
Back in the day, those ancient times known as the 1990s, Honda sold a Passport. Essentially a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo, it was a body-on-frame, rear-wheel drive off-roading riot. It went away in 2002, and took a long nap, until Honda resurrected the Passport name in 2019. However, this modern model was a crossover or a soft-roader that looked off-road-ish, but really wasn’t.
Well, as they say, what’s old is new again because the all-new 2026 Honda Passport has revived its old trail-capable ways. Buff and brawny, this fourth-gen Passport capitalizes on the current SUV design trend that’s moving away from blob-shaped smushy-edged things and into the squared-off era. Think rugged Toyota 4Runner or the incoming Scout EV. Honda nailed that vibe with this latest Passport and went quite a bit further in making it a more capable crossover.
The Honda Passport Returns to Squared-off Design
Dubbed the “backpack design theme”, the 2026 Honda Passport has big flat surfaces and a beefy C-pillar that hooks into a blacked-out upper cargo bay. Adventure ready you might say. This is complemented by a wider track versus the outgoing model – up by 1.3” in the front and 1.5” out back. There are flared fenders, a 2.75” longer wheelbase, and, on TrailSport models, a shorter front overhang for better approach angles. Add in the standard 31” tires and maybe-functional leading edge hood slot for one mean-mugging Passport.
The 2026 Passport is More than Good Looks
The looks are more than skin deep as this new Passport rides on the Ridgeline platform that Honda says increases chassis rigidity by 72% across the front and 50% in the rear. Suspension components are revised with forged steel A-arms, cast iron knuckles, retuned MacPherson front struts, and a redesigned multi-link rear setup. Other improvements include larger front brake rotors and a stiffened steering column.
The TrailSport Package Can Handle the Toughest Trails
Of course, it is the burly TrailSport variant that takes the 2026 Passport limelight. This moniker debuted in 2022, but was largely an appearance package. That is no longer the case. The new TrailSport has a dedicated off-road suspension tune and new General Grabber all-terrain rubber developed exclusively for this model. Gone are the cosmetic skid plates, replaced by steel units for the oil pan, transmission, and gas tank that Honda says can support the entire weight of the vehicle. Good for crashing into rocks.
Bright orange recovery hooks at both ends are part of the TrailSport’s signature orange vibe, but are as functional as they are pretty. Rated for twice the Passport’s weight, they are also engineered to snap off in the event of a front-end collision. Hill Descent Control comes standard, ground clearance increases slightly to 8.3”, and on the TrailSport, there are additional off-road touches.
For instance, the LED fog lamps ride higher in the front fascia and the exhaust tips are tucked up in the undercarriage to avoid damage. The 18” black wheels are slightly dished and the valve stems are recessed, all in the name of keeping things tidy on the trail. Honda was careful to test a variety of air chucks on this design to avoid issues airing up out in the wilderness. In other words, the 2026 Passport TrailSport was genuinely designed to go off-road.
The 2026 Passport Has Big Drivetrain Upgrades
As with the prior generation, all-wheel drive comes standard on the 2026 Passport. But like the rest of the vehicle, it’s been upgraded. The second-gen torque vectoring system, dubbed i-VTM4, now has a stronger rear drive unit, 30% faster response, and the ability to handle a 40% increase in torque. The Passport remains a front-wheel drive platform, but up to 70% of engine torque can be routed to the rear wheels with as much as 100% on tap for the right or left side.
Up front, Honda continues to eschew the trend of boosted four-pots in favor of its naturally aspirated 3.5L V6. For 2026, a second camshaft is added and horsepower is up, but only by 5 to 285. Torque remains the same at 262 lb-ft. A 10-speed automatic replaces the 9-speed in last year’s Passport and new drive modes – Sport, Trail, and Tow – are added. On that latter note, the Passport offers the same max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The comprehensive overhaul continues inside the 2026 Honda Passport. Rear seat legroom increases by 1.3” and overall cargo space is up by nearly 6 cubic feet. All models come with new “Body Stabilizing” front seats that are heated and power-adjustable, along with more storage space like a passenger-side dashboard shelf. The trim lineup has been adjusted to a base RTL, the mid-pack TrailSport, and a range-topping TrailSport Elite.
In TrailSport Elite spec, the new Passport will include heated rear seats and a 12-spoke Bose audio system designed specifically for the Passport cabin. All models now come with a 10.2” digital gauge cluster and a 12.3” central touchscreen. For reference, the outgoing Passport came standard with an 8” infotainment interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and 3 years of complimentary unlimited data are also newly standard 2026 Passport content.
The 2026 Passport is Full of Safety Tech
Honda has a reputation for building safe vehicles, which it clearly intends to maintain with this latest Passport. Aimed at meeting the latest IIHS protocols, the 2026 Passport has an updated “ACE” body structure, next-generation airbags, and new knee airbags for front-row occupants. On the advanced driver-assistance front, the Honda Sensing suite of technologies now boasts more capable cameras and sensors to deliver increased performance. As well, Traffic Jam Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition join the roster of standard systems.
When will the 2026 Honda Passport be Available?
On the whole, the all-new 2026 Honda Passport appears to be a dramatically improved SUV that now boasts real off-roading credentials. Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2025 with a price point in the mid-$40,000 range.
