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Honda has truly raised the bar with the all-new 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport, a rugged SUV that claims to be the most off-road-capable Honda ever. The TrailSport enters the adventure-ready SUV scene with confidence. It excels on tough terrains and ensures a smooth, comfy ride on regular roads. Its strong build, great off-road skills, and stylish design make it a real head-turner. It’s a dream come true for thrill-seekers.

A Quick Glance at the 2026 Passport TrailSport

Honda is known for reliability and practicality. With the TrailSport, the brand takes a bold step into off-road excellence. The redesigned 2026 model sports a rugged, boxy aesthetic that screams durability and purpose. The TrailSport has Honda’s improved torque-vectoring i-VTM4 AWD system. It’s built to handle tough trails and also provides a smooth ride on the road.

The unibody design may surprise off-road fans who like body-on-frame builds. However, the Passport TrailSport combines tough performance with city-friendly comfort. It’s a brave move to take on iconic names like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner. At the same time, it keeps the famous Honda smoothness and reliability.

Off-Road Prowess Meets On-Road Comfort

The Passport TrailSport shines brightest when taken off the beaten path. With a strong 3.5-liter V6 engine, this vehicle delivers 285 horsepower and 262 pounds-feet of torque. It’s designed to handle tough terrain while still being easy to drive every day. The powertrain works with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup balances power and efficiency well.

Honda’s TrailWatch camera system boosts confidence off-road. It gives real-time visuals and multiple camera angles, like forward and side views. TrailWatch keeps you in control, whether you’re on narrow trails or rocky terrains. The steel skid plates protect against debris. They add durability for your adventurous journeys.

Comparing to the Competition

The Passport TrailSport offers a good mix for off-road and on-road driving. But, it’s important to compare it with its main competitors. The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler are tougher for off-roading. However, they give up comfort and smoothness on the road. On the other hand, the Toyota 4Runner offers a more rugged feel but lacks some of the tech and modern amenities that the TrailSport packs.

Where the Passport TrailSport truly shines is in its versatility. Unlike the Bronco or Wrangler, it doesn’t compromise on everyday usability. The interior is spacious and upscale. It includes ventilated seats, a premium Bose stereo, and advanced driver assistance features. These make long drives pleasant and comfortable.

Price and Trims

The Passport TrailSport comes in two distinct trims: the base TrailSport and the premium TrailSport Elite. Pricing starts at around $49,900 for the base model, while the fully loaded Elite trim comes in at $53,900. It may not be the cheapest choice, but its strong features and tough performance make it a good investment.

Real-World Impressions

Driving the TrailSport on both rugged trails and city streets revealed its dual personality. Off-road, it feels nimble and surefooted. The handling is quick, and it has enough ground clearance to overcome obstacles easily. On the road, it’s surprisingly smooth and composed, providing a quiet cabin experience even on rough surfaces.

The unibody design, while not as robust as body-on-frame SUVs, makes for better handling and less body roll on highways. The TrailSport features General Grabber all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. These tires offer a comfy but firm grip on different surfaces. This design helps boost your confidence on adventurous outings.

2026 Honda Passport TrailSport: The Most Off-Road-Capable Honda SUV Yet

Honda has raised the bar with the new 2026 Passport TrailSport. It features a striking redesign and improved off-road ability. The Passport TrailSport is Honda’s most off-road-capable SUV. It offers a great mix of rugged performance and on-road comfort. The Passport TrailSport shines, whether you’re on rough trails or cruising the highway. It offers great versatility and style.

A First Look at the 2026 Passport TrailSport

Honda has made some big changes with the 2026 Passport, including a rugged, boxy exterior that exudes adventure. It’s not only about looks. The TrailSport version has features that help tackle tough terrains. From its improved suspension to its tough skid plates, Honda has clearly put effort into making this SUV adventure-ready.

I tested the Passport TrailSport at its launch event in Puerto Rico. I drove the TrailSport Elite off-road and the regular TrailSport on paved roads. The goal? To see how well it handles the rough stuff without compromising comfort on everyday drives.

Rugged Capability Meets Refined Comfort

The Passport TrailSport may not be a true off-roader like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler, but it offers a great mix of capability and comfort. Honda’s unibody design gets some criticism for not being as tough as body-on-frame SUVs. However, Honda makes up for this with great on-road performance. Compared to its off-road-centric competitors, the Passport feels far more composed on the highway and city streets.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the hood, the Passport TrailSport houses a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain works with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. It offers great performance and efficiency. Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system boosts off-road capability. It sends torque where needed to keep traction on slippery or uneven surfaces.

The TrailSport Elite trim comes with Honda’s TrailWatch camera system. This system provides different angles to help in tough situations. It includes forward views showing tire paths and 360-degree overhead views. It’s a practical feature that truly comes in handy when navigating tight trails or rocky landscapes.

Real-World Off-Road Performance

Driving the Passport TrailSport off-road was a surprisingly confidence-inspiring experience. The 8.3 inches of ground clearance isn’t best-in-class, but the suspension and tires handled rough patches with ease. Its torque-vectoring AWD system can send up to 70% of power to the rear wheels. It can also give all that power to either wheel. This helps the vehicle grip uneven terrain easily.

A major highlight was the General Grabber all-terrain tires. They provided great grip and kept road noise low on pavement. Steel skid plates shield the underbody from tough impacts. Honda’s smart design ensures a smooth ride, even over rough obstacles.

On-Road Comfort and Drive Quality

The Passport TrailSport shines because it smoothly shifts from tough trails to city streets. The suspension is tuned for off-road performance. It surprisingly absorbs road bumps well. This makes it comfortable for daily commuting. Unlike many off-road-focused SUVs, it doesn’t feel overly stiff or bouncy.

The steering is precise for this size of vehicle. The throttle response is a bit dull in Normal mode. However, switching to Sport mode makes it much more exciting. There’s ample power for merging and overtaking, though its fuel economy isn’t stellar—around 20 mpg combined. Still, it’s not significantly worse than other rugged SUVs in this class.

Interior and Cabin Experience

Inside, the Passport TrailSport is spacious and practical. The leather upholstery feels upscale, and the Elite trim’s exclusive brown leather adds a premium touch. The cabin is designed for the driver. It has organized controls and a large 12.3-inch touchscreen. This display features Google Built-In and Amazon Alexa. It also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Rear-seat passengers will appreciate the generous legroom, and the flat floor makes the back row feel even more spacious. Cargo space is generous, with underfloor storage and configurable options to maximize usability. Whether you’re loading camping gear or groceries, the Passport is up to the task.

Tech and Connectivity

Honda didn’t hold back on tech with the 2026 Passport. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is easy to use and shows clear graphics. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster gives you real-time driving data. The TrailWatch system, mentioned earlier, is a game-changer when off-roading. It activates automatically in Trail mode and can be manually engaged at speeds under 15 mph.

Should You Buy the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport?

The 2026 Passport TrailSport is a great option for adventure seekers who also want daily practicality. It’s not the most hardcore off-roader, but it’s certainly capable enough for most weekend warriors and casual adventurers. Plus, its refined ride and comfortable cabin make it an excellent daily driver.

It may not please extreme off-road fans, but it’s great for those seeking a balanced SUV. It can handle trails and is comfy enough for family road trips. If you’re looking for a capable, well-rounded SUV with a rugged edge, the Honda Passport TrailSport is worth a test drive.

Conclusion

The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport offers tough off-road skills and everyday comfort. It might not have the rugged off-road skills of tough SUVs like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. But it stands out as an adventurous SUV that offers comfort and modern features. Honda has created a bold new SUV. It features improved technology and smart engineering. This vehicle attracts both thrill-seekers and everyday drivers.

If you want an SUV for weekend adventures and weekday drives, check out the Passport TrailSport. Choose the standard TrailSport or the more feature-rich TrailSport Elite. Either way, you get a stylish, versatile SUV that’s ready for your next adventure.

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