Advertisement

Honda Is Really Teasing the Off-Road Potential of the Next Passport TrailSport

2026 honda passport trailsport
Honda Teases Truly Rugged Passport TrailSportHonda

After accusations of its Passport TrailSport being all bark and no bite, Honda has been steadily working to make true on its off-road focused marketing. After adding true all-terrain tires and revising the suspension on the 2024 model year Passport TrailSport, Honda is now teasing an even more rugged version — one that appears to be significantly changed versus the existing model.

A teaser video posted by Honda shows an animated silhouette of a boxier, third-generation Honda Passport climbing up a shrub-lined, single-track trail. Creeping up the hill, Honda's animation shows a side-to-side, body-articulating moment for the incoming Passport TrailSport, signaling the potential of further off-road development for Honda's larger five-seat SUV.

2026 honda passport trailsport
Honda

Honda's own press material goes on to say that development of its most off-road capable SUV yet is underway. With what appears, based on teasers, to be rugged design and claims of solid off-road capability, the incoming Passport TrailSport could be set to properly compete with Subaru's Outback Wilderness and Hyundai Santa Fe XRT. While all three models serve some genuine off-road purposes, unibody construction means the adventure-ready claims for the trio are aimed at fire roads and family camping, not Wrangler-style wheeling.

ADVERTISEMENT

Beyond the supposed suspension and off-road geometry chops coming to Passport, Honda says that a unique front fascia with "PASSPORT" boldly embossed under the upper grille is the other key difference year-over-year. Plus, the TrailSport will have model-exclusive daytime running lights in an amber hue. Overall, while the teasers don't show all that much, we're guessing the updates to the 2026 Passport will be somewhat in line with those the closely related three-row Honda Pilot received for 2022 — cosmetic updates

Pricing and detailed production details have yet to be announced. While the last version of the Honda Passport TrailSport started at $45,875, falling in the middle of Honda's Passport pricing lineup, we suspect the new inclusion of mystery off-road items could bump up the price. Labeled as a 2026 model year, Honda says we can expect to see the Passport TrailSport sometime next year.

You Might Also Like